Bench Time

[jamesbrown]

FWIW the IPSE benchmarking survey contains some of this information (average length of contract, average time out of contract etc.) based on a reasonably large sample size (I think the last one was 2013). I'd post it here but it's accessible to members only (i.e. it may be worth contacting them).

[cojak]

Around 4 - 6 weeks, with an average of 6 month contracts (for the last 2 years, anyway). I plan on working 8 months of the year.

Longest was 9 months. The market was dire (2009) and I accepted a 3 month role on a poor rate just to get back into the market.

[northernladuk]

Does the SJD yearly contractor survey cover any of this? I can't remember the exact questions.

[Coalman]

Average contract is 2 years (multiple renewals until project finished) with average 3 week gap between contracts, once was longer because of security clearance. Canned (budget contraints) once in that time but worked notice, back with same client on different project 3 weeks later.

[DaveB]

Average contract length 9.5 Months

Longest 18 months

Shortest 10 days

Average time between gigs 3 weeks

Longest spell between gigs - 6 months, followed by 2 Years as a pemie.

[jmo21]

1st contract - 6 months
*4 month bench (tulipting myself!)

2nd contract - 16 months
*2 weeks bench (tulipting myself for 1 week due to first benching, follow by massive relief)

3rd contact - 13 months
*4 weeks bench (didn't worry at all)

4th contract - 2.5 years
*2 months bench (was a bit worried, but then got offered 2 contracts withing the space of about 10 minutes)

5th contract - been here just over a year now, dreading having to deal with agent again in a couple of months should there be no extension coming.

[vadhert]

In 16 years my longest time on the bench was 3 months so some may say I have got off lightly.

However with my contract along with many others here being terminated as of this coming Friday I could break my record.

Holiday for one week then casually look for something new I would assume.

[MicrosoftBob]

Normally 1-3 months, but has been longer if a contract ends in December or January

[stek]

Blimey..

In the last 60 months I've had 12 weeks bench time, 8 weeks in ICU (ill as toolip) and I'm sure the odd couple of day between other contracts i've not counted - the 12 weeks are two 3 weekers and a 4 weeker and two 2 weekers. No wonder I'm fooked all the time......

One role was a 24 month one tho the rest mostly 6 months. Of course I've taken holidays while in contract too, not counted those.

Prior to that I once had 7 months on the bench and toolipped myself despite only spending half the war chest. Maybe I'm not cut out to be a contractor.

[OrangeSquash]

Continuing on our quest to give HMRC facts and figures about the world of contracting - would you be able to give me an idea of bench time between contracts?

I am attempting to demonstrate that the comparison between a permanent worker and a contractor when trying to promote 'fairness' in the tax system is misguided

Really appreciate your help guys

I'm not sure I like the message here.
Seems to be if you take the risk to contract and you make a success of it, decide to work hard etc put yourself out to make a good profit then not only do you pay more tax through your higher invoicing, but you also become a target to be taxed in a more punitive way?

Or take plenty of benchtime (chosen or otherwise), thereby paying less CT etc and the sector would be left alone by HMRC

Am I missing something?