Putting up Day rate..?

[northernladuk]

Most people in the thread seem to be making a fundamental mistake and taking about the client. It's the agents margin where you will get most success. He's made the money he expected in the first gig. The rest is easy money so go for that chunk. Not the clients rate card. That's said we've only got half a story from the OP.

[pr1]

asking to increase rate, possible options:

they accept your proposal
they negotiate and you agree somewhere between your proposal and what you're on now
they tell you to pack your things and FO

2/3 chance you'll be better off, simple maths!

[MrMarkyMark]

The choice is simple, either they consider it offers value for them to pay more, or they don't.

Whether they also deem that expensive is irrelevant.

[Bluespider]

Most people in the thread seem to be making a fundamental mistake and taking about the client. It's the agents margin where you will get most success. He's made the money he expected in the first gig. The rest is easy money so go for that chunk. Not the clients rate card. That's said we've only got half a story from the OP.

+1

its the agents gravy that needs syphoned. much tougher to get the uplift from the client.

[MrMarkyMark]

+1

its the agents gravy that needs syphoned. much tougher to get the uplift from the client.

Tougher, but very possible.
Especially if you have proposed and had the client accept other works.

I have done this before, for example, a migration / upgrade, design of new data model etc.
This was not part of the original, limited, scope of work and therefore will require an increase in day rate to cover.
The contract should be changed at this stage too.

[Unix]

Best to do this at the start of the contract, else you look like a money grabbing a-hole.

[fool]

Thanks Northern bloke, I think. Most of those threads are talking about mid-contract increase - I am not looking to do that. Just wondering how long I should work at the current rate before I look at putting it up? Or if there is a ceiling rate and that's what it is? I guess it's the 25 years of permie life that expects a pay rise very April...

I look at Jobserve. If there's jobs doing my thing going above my own rate, my rate is too low and is going up. It doesn't matter what time of year it is, though I probably wouldn't leave a good client mid contract for a £50 difference.

This got me to the top of the markets rates but looking at Jobserve, it looks like I can probably justify an extra £100 a day now. I'll keep that in mind for renewal and see if things are still so nice.

Presumably, this goes both ways though and if the top of the market rate is down £100 quid when I'm next looking, I'm just going to need to accept that and at the very best just keep watching at renewals for significant changes.

Point being, unless you're so amazing there's nobody else or the client specifically knows and wants you, it's about the market, not your specific desire to get paid more in April.

Edit: If you're technical and on average day rates and you want more, then it's easier to filter for what's paying well, figure out what's closest to you, then hop in that direction. You'll find a couple of buzzwords can add £200-£300 a day to an average rate.

[northernladuk]

Best to do this at the start of the contract, else you look like a money grabbing a-hole.

Rubbish. Yes negotiate hard at start up but after a few extensions the game has changed. The agent has made his money and had made back the costs to put the contractor in so doesn't need as much to turn a profit so squeeze his bottom line. I'd say that's savvy economics not a money grabbing whatever.

[Unix]

Rubbish. Yes negotiate hard at start up but after a few extensions the game has changed. The agent has made his money and had made back the costs to put the contractor in so doesn't need as much to turn a profit so squeeze his bottom line. I'd say that's savvy economics not a money grabbing whatever.

Yeah of course you as a contractor will thank that but the perception will be you are greedy, unless you go in too low or find out the agent screwed you then I usually don't as for rises.

[MrMarkyMark]

I usually don't as for rises.

Even if your scope / deliveries have potential to totally widen....maybe you are suddenly running a team of 10....maybe they have "bought" more recommendations from you....

That's when you should ask.