How to get rate raise from agency..

**SuPaStA** · 17 September 2014, 09:54

Originally posted by Darren_Test View Post

I have been on this contract for 8 months. Project is ending in next 1 month. I did n't had any rate hike and never asked for it. I am very much needed here to complete this role & I believe my agency is getting a good slice as well as I am not getting a top rate here.

Keeping these in mind what's the best approach to get a rate increase for this 1 month extension. I worked with these guys many times. So not keen to quarrel with them, but need a hike now. Please guide me to best approach. I have this 1 month extension on my inbox with same rate. I am doing a good job here & client is happy as well.

Just finish the contract on good terms, its just 1 month's work - rather just ensure your next contract is paying market rate.

**Batcher** · 17 September 2014, 10:07

Originally posted by Darren_Test View Post

I have been on this contract for 8 months. Project is ending in next 1 month. I did n't had any rate hike and never asked for it. I am very much needed here to complete this role & I believe my agency is getting a good slice as well as I am not getting a top rate here.

Keeping these in mind what's the best approach to get a rate increase for this 1 month extension. I worked with these guys many times. So not keen to quarrel with them, but need a hike now. Please guide me to best approach. I have this 1 month extension on my inbox with same rate. I am doing a good job here & client is happy as well.

Tell the agency now you will be looking for a rate increase if the client asks you to stay on. Point out you've done a good job and the client is happy. If they say the client won't agree then ask the agency to give you the increase out of their cut. If they refuse then say no thanks to an extension and walk away.

**TheFaQQer** · 17 September 2014, 10:12

If the increase is going to come from the client, then you need to justify why they should increase the raise. Statements like "I need it" don't cut the mustard. Also, try to avoid making it look like you are holding them over a barrel, as that doesn't go down well.

If the increase is going to come from the agency, then make sure you know what their margin is, and what rate you expect them to cut that down to. If the agency aren't making enough money from you, though, they aren't going to cut their profit margin to such an extent that it's not worth their while. Lines like "you aren't doing enough for me" and "you've made enough from me" need to be supported with a case to explain why they should cut their profit to help you.

For the sake of an extra 20 days work, I'd question whether this will just piss off the client - bear in mind that the agency will always try to pass that rate increase back to the client.

Good luck.

**Magpie252** · 17 September 2014, 10:54

In order to secure a rate increase you have to play ‘hard ball’ with the agent & be prepared to walk.

Considering that your already looking at a period of bench time with no income, are you prepared to risk a months guaranteed income against a possible 10% rate increase?.

I’ve managed to negotiate rate increases in the past, but these were situations where the contract duration was much longer than expected. i.e. the agent wouldn’t walk away from an additional 12 months unexpected revenue, in your case for an additional one month I don’t expect much flexibility.

I’d also be concerned about my reputation with the client & agent, (more so the client) if as you say you’ve worked with them many times I wouldn’t jeopardise long-term relationships and future work opportunities for what would be a relatively small sum of money.

**Darren_Test** · 17 September 2014, 11:42

To be clear I am not asking for a rate raise from client as I have indications that agency is getting a good slice on me. Also recently client requested me to work on weekends, which I was ready. But though the agency charged client more for my weekend work, they refused to add even a penny to my rate for weekend work. So finally I had to tell client I am not working weekend due to rate issue, for which client (informally) confirmed to me that agency is paid double rate for weekend!!.

I have very good reputation with client & agency is fully aware of that as well as I joined this project for short term and managed to push another established long tem contractor from another agency out and got this project completely under my agency's kitty.

Also project is in critical stage so client will not accept any one else at this stage to replace me..

**SuPaStA** · 17 September 2014, 11:49

Originally posted by Darren_Test View Post

To be clear I am not asking for a rate raise from client as I have indications that agency is getting a good slice on me. Also recently client requested me to work on weekends, which I was ready. But though the agency charged client more for my weekend work, they refused to add even a penny to my rate for weekend work. So finally I had to tell client I am not working weekend due to rate issue, for which client (informally) confirmed to me that agency is paid double rate for weekend!!.

I have very good reputation with client & agency is fully aware of that as well as I joined this project for short term and managed to push another established long tem contractor from another agency out and got this project completely under my agency's kitty.

Also project is in critical stage so client will not accept any one else at this stage to replace me..

As per the other poster, you may be asking the Agency for a rate increase but the Agency may go back to the client to try and get them to increase the rate so they don't have to cut their slice of the pie. So for a 1 month increase you stand the chance of pissing off the agency and the client.

**TheFaQQer** · 17 September 2014, 11:52

Originally posted by Darren_Test View Post

To be clear I am not asking for a rate raise from client as I have indications that agency is getting a good slice on me. Also recently client requested me to work on weekends, which I was ready. But though the agency charged client more for my weekend work, they refused to add even a penny to my rate for weekend work. So finally I had to tell client I am not working weekend due to rate issue, for which client (informally) confirmed to me that agency is paid double rate for weekend!!.

So the agency billed the client what they were entitled to under their contract, and you billed the agency what you were entitled to under your contract, and you feel that the agency should pass some of that money onto you?

If you want paying extra on a weekend, then ensure that the new rate is included in the contract and / or schedule. If you don't include the term in the contract then it's a bit late to moan about it eight months later.

(Personally, I don't think it's professional to moan to the client about your own contractual screw-ups, but hey-ho)

Originally posted by Darren_Test View Post

I have very good reputation with client & agency is fully aware of that as well as I joined this project for short term and managed to push another established long tem contractor from another agency out and got this project completely under my agency's kitty.

Play this badly and you won't have a good reputation with anyone any more.

Originally posted by Darren_Test View Post

Also project is in critical stage so client will not accept any one else at this stage to replace me..

So hold them over a barrel and shaft the lot of them. Demand an increase and then walk if you don't get it.

**I just need to test it** · 17 September 2014, 12:12

Surely the safest bet is to ask for a bigger slice of the weekend pie and leave your daily rate as is. If the project is critical you'll be getting extra income anyway on weekends, surely, and you and the agent would be happy for you to do a bit on Sat & Sun when there's a lot more cash sloshing around.

**Avalonia** · 17 September 2014, 12:50

There must be a stone knocking about you could try getting some blood out of.

How to get rate raise from agency..