Extention vs New Gig

[portseven]

Just canvasing opinion here

Current gig is upto end of Sept, client has said that there is budget till end of Feb for me. So have been verbally offered an extension, and as far as they know now I am OK with that.

Though there is another gig on the plate, 12 months (likely 18), better rate and more prestigious client

My thoughts are that I am going to have a word with current client on what the options are for extensions beyond Feb, and if there is nothing concrete I am going to take the 12 monther

On the one hand I am sort of walking out on current client, though I do feel that the 5 month extension is just because they have the budget and I will be just making up the numbers.

On the other hand, the other one on offer is a better deal and I got to look after no1

What would you do?

[TykeMerc]

Originally Posted by portseven

Just canvasing opinion here

Current gig is upto end of Sept, client has said that there is budget till end of Feb for me. So have been verbally offered an extension, and as far as they know now I am OK with that.

Though there is another gig on the plate, 12 months (likely 18), better rate and more prestigious client

My thoughts are that I am going to have a word with current client on what the options are for extensions beyond Feb, and if there is nothing concrete I am going to take the 12 monther

On the one hand I am sort of walking out on current client, though I do feel that the 5 month extension is just because they have the budget and I will be just making up the numbers.

On the other hand, the other one on offer is a better deal and I got to look after no1

What would you do?

Normally I would stay put unless I was unhappy.

In a theoretical case like yours I would see if I get offered the 12-18 month better paying etc gig, tell the new gig at interview that you would prefer if at all possible to finish your existing gig or that your notice period will take you into late Sept anyway. THEN tell the current gig that while their offer of an extension is appreciated you will have to regretfully decline the renewal.

[b0redom]

Remember the contractor mantra:

*Ker-ching*
*Ker-ching*
*Ker-ching*
Invoice

follow the $s

Especially if the contract is longer and the client better.

[pmeswani]

Originally Posted by portseven

Just canvasing opinion here

Current gig is upto end of Sept, client has said that there is budget till end of Feb for me. So have been verbally offered an extension, and as far as they know now I am OK with that.

Though there is another gig on the plate, 12 months (likely 18), better rate and more prestigious client

My thoughts are that I am going to have a word with current client on what the options are for extensions beyond Feb, and if there is nothing concrete I am going to take the 12 monther

On the one hand I am sort of walking out on current client, though I do feel that the 5 month extension is just because they have the budget and I will be just making up the numbers.

On the other hand, the other one on offer is a better deal and I got to look after no1

What would you do?

I think you already know the answer to your question. But as you are canvasing opinion... here's what I think.....

If you feel that you are just becoming a stat and all your projects / work is coming to a natural end, then an extension would be pointless, unless there were new projects to work on and if your are able to secure a reasonable rate increase.

Without knowing much about the new gig, I don't know what they are offering in terms of workloads, etc. Is the work offered at the new gig (regardless of how hight up the food chain they are) wetting your appetite? Is it offering you the challenges you are seeking? How does the challenges offered in the new gig differ from the current gig? If it is better and you can handover your current work to someone else.... is the decision a no-brainer?

[rawly]

I've just been verbally suggested there will be an extension also. But, this will now take me over 2 years with client. I think that's enough for any 'contract', based not only on variety of work, but expenses, ir35 less risk with shorter contracts, etc.. etc...

I'd take the new contract. It's win-win from whatever way you look at it.

[blacjac]

Originally Posted by rawly

I've just been verbally suggested there will be an extension also. But, this will now take me over 2 years with client. I think that's enough for any 'contract', based not only on variety of work, but expenses, ir35 less risk with shorter contracts, etc.. etc...

I'd take the new contract. It's win-win from whatever way you look at it.

Don't forget that the minute you know a temporary workplace will be for longer than 2 years, it is no longer temporary...

I.e., if you take the extention you loose the ability to claim traveling / accomodation expenses the minute the extention starts.

[portseven]

Originally Posted by rawly

I've just been verbally suggested there will be an extension also. But, this will now take me over 2 years with client. I think that's enough for any 'contract', based not only on variety of work, but expenses, ir35 less risk with shorter contracts, etc.. etc...

I'd take the new contract. It's win-win from whatever way you look at it.

I am same situation, by end of sept I will have been here 25 months, so out goes the 'temporary workplace', another reason to take the new gig

[rawly]

Originally Posted by blacjac

Don't forget that the minute you know a temporary workplace will be for longer than 2 years, it is no longer temporary...

I.e., if you take the extention you loose the ability to claim traveling / accomodation expenses the minute the extention starts.

Well, I have 6 days to end of contract, and I still don't offically know anything from client or agency, just hearsay!

But in reality I'm sure hector will be after me for 6 days of expenses then! The fact I am not accepting the renewal surely gives me the 6 days back again!? The two years would be offically September 4th, my current contractually obligations finish August 29th.

Do you think anyone is really bothered by this at all! Obviously if I had signed a new 6 month entension I would stop expenses immediately.

[blacjac]

Originally Posted by rawly

Well, I have 6 days to end of contract, and I still don't offically know anything from client or agency, just hearsay!

But in reality I'm sure hector will be after me for 6 days of expenses then! The fact I am not accepting the renewal surely gives me the 6 days back again!? The two years would be offically September 4th, my current contractually obligations finish August 29th.

Do you think anyone is really bothered by this at all! Obviously if I had signed a new 6 month entension I would stop expenses immediately.

yes I think Hector would be bothered with this as he has nothing better to do!

However, you are correct. until you know that it is going over 2 years you are fine.
you don't know this until the extention is sorted (if it ever is) .

[BolshieBastard]

A bird in the hand, people.

And even if you go over the 2 year rule at client site, it's still more beneficial than sitting on the bench if that 'other' role has been pulled.