Extended again...stick or twist?

[SteelyDan]

Well, current gig has just passed 2 yr point & yes, as soon as I knew it would go over 2 yrs, I double checked with my accountant, & stopped mileage, wef that date.

It's local to me, maybe 30 mins commute, major blue-chip. I work from home as and when I see fit, I have no day-to-day line management, there's no D&C, & I have a full stack of work which would easily take me into next year. So all in all, from many angles, it suits me very well, & to be honest not really out of pocket by forfeiting mileage.

After year 1, I asked for (& got) an increase (c.30%), so my rate's a good one.

Question is; should I push for another increase now I'm at the 2 yr point?

Back of my mind I'm thinking 'don't kill the golden goose', but other part of me thinks 'why not give it ago at next extension?'

Risks are; falling out of favour with the client, being put in a situation (if I don't get the increase) of carrying on with current rate, or walking.

What would you do? Stick, or twist?

[TheDandy]

Well, current gig has just passed 2 yr point & yes, as soon as I knew it would go over 2 yrs, I double checked with my accountant, & stopped mileage, wef that date.

It's local to me, maybe 30 mins commute, major blue-chip. I work from home as and when I see fit, I have no day-to-day line management, there's no D&C, & I have a full stack of work which would easily take me into next year. So all in all, from many angles, it suits me very well, & to be honest not really out of pocket by forfeiting mileage.

After year 1, I asked for (& got) an increase (c.30%), so my rate's a good one.

Question is; should I push for another increase now I'm at the 2 yr point?

Back of my mind I'm thinking 'don't kill the golden goose', but other part of me thinks 'why not give it ago at next extension?'

Risks are; falling out of favour with the client, being put in a situation (if I don't get the increase) of carrying on with current rate, or walking.

What would you do? Stick, or twist?

Sounds like a great gig. Don't fix what isn't broken.....Rate is good, work from home regularly.....all for a little travel cost is it worth upsetting the apple cart. How much travel cost is it?

[SteelyDan]

Sounds like a great gig. Don't fix what isn't broken.....Rate is good, work from home regularly.....all for a little travel cost is it worth upsetting the apple cart. How much travel cost is it?

Travel costs negligible, but this isn't the issue/rationale for the thoughts around rate increase. Just wondering if it's worth pushing the rate boundaries...or have I simply moved into the greedy green-eyed monster zone?

[TheDandy]

Travel costs negligible, but this isn't the issue/rationale for the thoughts around rate increase. Just wondering if it's worth pushing the rate boundaries...or have I simply moved into the greedy green-eyed monster zone?

How does it compare to market norm for your skill-set. Only you will know how receptive your client is likely to be. Really a question of how you pose the quid pro quo - what's in it for them?

[Alias]

Travel costs negligible, but this isn't the issue/rationale for the thoughts around rate increase. Just wondering if it's worth pushing the rate boundaries...or have I simply moved into the greedy green-eyed monster zone?

I dont think its that at all, your skills and value to the client increase over time and thus reflected in a rate increase...you dont ask you dont get, they can only say no but will think of your value to them...

[jamesbrown]

An increase of 30% implies that you were either on a very low rate to begin with or you have a lot of leverage with the client (or a combination). If more towards the latter, I wouldn't take the p*ss, but I'd also ask for a reasonable increase, as you haven't had one for a while. If you're valued, the likely worst case scenario is they say no, and you then decide whether to push it.

[Bacchus]

Bear in mind also that any small rate increase is instantly wiped out by a couple of weeks on the bench.

As others have said, it also depends on the market rate for your skillset.

If I'd had a large rate increase at y1 and was happy with everything else, I probably wouldn't push for a y2 increase just "because". You'll be having an appraisal next to justify it...

You would have more leverage if you turn round and say it's "nearly two years" since we adjusted our rates in another six months, and I suspect that interest rates should be on the move by then so you may be more in need of a rate increase (or a better paying gig) by then.

[quackhandle]

It's what we all strive for, that (almost) perfect gig.

Your next one could be the Gig From Hell. Extend and invoice.

qh

[smatty]

I'd extend with those conditions. Probably wouldn't bother with rate increase negotiation unless things have changed somehow since the original negotiations.

[TheFaQQer]

If it looks likely that there might be additional budget, then ask for an increase and see where it takes you.

I've been here (WFH 100%) coming up to two years and haven't asked for an increase because I know what the approval limits are, and if I push it, there could be very awkward questions about justifying my role at all. The project will run until next May (at least, I hope) so I don't want to kill the goose and end up with nothing.

If you are happy with the rate, and the rate isn't too far off what you could get anywhere else, I'd stick. If you're a way off what you could get anywhere else (factoring in the additional costs and opportunity cost if you had to work away), then leave.