Agencies - is there a better way?

[jmo21]

Correct and incorrect
I negotiated a contract directly with one of the world's major IT companies, once everything was agreed they handed me over to an agency for all the admin work and the contract itself.

However I also had an experience teh other way round. Agency introduced me to a (medium sized) company and did all the negotiations, but then handed me over to the end client with whom I would sign the contract (which I didn't in the end as it kept failing IR35 miserably and they were not willing to change it any further)

It'd be interesting to find out what percentage of all the contracts people on here have worked direct with a client.

For me, it's about 3% of all contract time in 7 years contracting, and these were adhoc mini contracts for a client that I had previously worked for through an agency.

I did get offered a direct contract back in July, but I chose my current contract over it as it was a bigger client and rate.

[TheFaQQer]

It'd be interesting to find out what percentage of all the contracts people on here have worked direct with a client.

11% of my clients
25% of my contracting life

But that's just with one client.

[jamesbrown]

It'd be interesting to find out what percentage of all the contracts people on here have worked direct with a client.

For me, it's about 3% of all contract time in 7 years contracting, and these were adhoc mini contracts for a client that I had previously worked for through an agency.

I did get offered a direct contract back in July, but I chose my current contract over it as it was a bigger client and rate.

I only work direct. However, I do work in a specialist area outside of IT. I'm not sure whether this translates to specialist work in IT(?), but I can't see you avoiding an agency without either: a) being specialised and, therefore, well-known by your potential clients; or b) engaging in a tendering process. Often, these two go together. The downside of being specialised is that you risk being out of work for extended periods or need to spend time preparing tenders.

[TheFaQQer]

The downside of being specialised is that you risk being out of work for extended periods or need to spend time preparing tenders.

Or the vendor suddenly scraps the product that you are niche in, destroying your market completely and leaving you to try and salvage something from the wreckage.

As happened to me when I was permie. Carved out a little niche which meant I was never out of work, and then the buggers bought another company and scrapped my product

[Antman]

The first rule of Contractor Club is that you do not talk about Contractor Club.

D'oh!

[jamesbrown]

Or the vendor suddenly scraps the product that you are niche in, destroying your market completely and leaving you to try and salvage something from the wreckage.

As happened to me when I was permie. Carved out a little niche which meant I was never out of work, and then the buggers bought another company and scrapped my product

Ouch. Yeah, the risk/reward of specialising is probably quite different depending on your sector. If you're specialised in terms of specific software or systems, I guess that would be very high-risk.

[quackhandle]

Always found going direct to be a lot of luck/timing, call it what you will. My last gig (and current) were direct.

First was a pimp pi$$ing me off but I had a mate on the inside of client co who pointed me to HR, then got email for interview.

Got current gig via linkedin from agency but had a consulting relationship with client as there's a few of us direct here.

qh

[Whorty]

Does it really matter weather you go direct or via an agency, so long as you are happy with the rate? I like using agencies as I have good relationships with a couple and they find me some nice work. Good clients, and they always keep my rate where I want it.

Even when I take 6 months off, i contact them and within a week I'm interviewing

[Ramrod]

Does it really matter weather you go direct or via an agency, so long as you are happy with the rate? I like using agencies as I have good relationships with a couple and they find me some nice work. Good clients, and they always keep my rate where I want it.

Even when I take 6 months off, i contact them and within a week I'm interviewing

This. I've known too many contractors over the years who get all bent out of shape because "He's earning 13p a day more than me" or the agency is taking cream off the top.

Truth is, if you're getting a rate you're happy with there is nothing to complain about.

[jmo21]

Does it really matter weather you go direct or via an agency, so long as you are happy with the rate? I like using agencies as I have good relationships with a couple and they find me some nice work. Good clients, and they always keep my rate where I want it.

Even when I take 6 months off, i contact them and within a week I'm interviewing

I guess the initial instinct is if there were no agents, I'd get paid more, the client would pay less.

In reality, a large percentage of clients use agents for very good reasons, regardless of what we think of them.