Make the leap?

[Tev]

Hi

So i've been darting back and forth from the idea of contracting for the last year, i've spent the last 3-4 years working in large organizations SI / Consultancies. Due to the nature of that work and being on client site i've had a great deal of exposure to contractors (Working with or managing), i've yet to meet one who doesn't recommend making the move. I think the main reason why i've tinkered with the idea is with the experience of being assigned from project to project, always on client site, i'm used some parts of a contractors life i suppose.

I've worked in QA for the last 8 years in total and i'm a Test Manager in the North West, if i was going to make the jump i'd like to stay within that (Manchester, Liverpool, Stoke). I also have a base in Telford, so again allows me access of Birmingham..

I've spoken to QDos, mainly to understand the tax benefits involved and how things work in terms of IR35 and staying compliant. Likely to go with them for their accounting services.

I've been approached a number of times about contracting by agents / people i've known. Day rate offered has ranged from £400-£500 as a Test Manager, currently one is £400 per day and 6 month initial (Likely to go beyond this due to nature of the client).

Basically i've got to make a decision by Monday about this role on offer, so i've got a few questions.

- What's the state of the contractor market in the likes of the North West / West Midlands in your view. In decline or stable? I know this will purely be your personal opinion but i'd be interested it views.

- Anyone have any experience of working in Testing as a contractor, whats your view on the marketplace right now. Easy to go from contract to contract or experiencing long stints between work?

Thanks

[Batcher]

Hi

So i've been darting back and forth from the idea of contracting for the last year, i've spent the last 3-4 years working in large organizations SI / Consultancies. Due to the nature of that work and being on client site i've had a great deal of exposure to contractors (Working with or managing), i've yet to meet one who doesn't recommend making the move. I think the main reason why i've tinkered with the idea is with the experience of being assigned from project to project, always on client site, i'm used some parts of a contractors life i suppose.

I've worked in QA for the last 8 years in total and i'm a Test Manager in the North West, if i was going to make the jump i'd like to stay within that (Manchester, Liverpool, Stoke). I also have a base in Telford, so again allows me access of Birmingham..

I've spoken to QDos, mainly to understand the tax benefits involved and how things work in terms of IR35 and staying compliant. Likely to go with them for their accounting services.

I've been approached a number of times about contracting by agents / people i've known. Day rate offered has ranged from £400-£500 as a Test Manager, currently one is £400 per day and 6 month initial (Likely to go beyond this due to nature of the client).

Basically i've got to make a decision by Monday about this role on offer, so i've got a few questions.

- What's the state of the contractor market in the likes of the North West / West Midlands in your view. In decline or stable? I know this will purely be your personal opinion but i'd be interested it views.
- Anyone have any experience of working in Testing as a contractor, whats your view on the marketplace right now. Easy to go from contract to contract or experiencing long stints between work?

Thanks

You've been offered a 6 month contract with the likelihood of an extension so it doesn't really matter what state the market is in right now. If anything, you want to know what it's going to be like in 6 months time and none us of can predict that.

You've been approached a number of times so obviously you have the skills that people would want and you're based in an area that can cover lots of the major towns and cities in the midlands/north of England.

I would say just go for it.

[malvolio]

I would point out there's one big difference between your current job as a roaming consultant and doing the same thing as a contractor: right now you get paid 365 days a year whether there's work out there or not.

If that worries you, then stay permie.

[flipFlop]

whats your view on the marketplace right now.

Their is no market.

[BolshieBastard]

Id be very surprised if you saw over £400 a day for a TM in the locations mentioned. Id say £350 would be the norm and £380 the top end. Ive also seen some ridiculously low sub £250 a day TM roles advertised in Liverpool.

Telford has a big HMRC \ DWP centre so you may get a good rate there but would need to be aware of IR35.

Id be really surprised at any TM roles in the North West paying £500 a day.

The main testing market in the North West is based in Manchester although some agents seem to think Leeds is in the North West too! I'd say Leeds is slightly 'hotter' in the contract testing market than Manchester though.

Oh, and a contract is only as long as your notice period. In fact its shorter and will likely be a day so, having a 6 monther with a promise of an extension doesnt mean much.

Oops, forgot. Ive no experience of the midlands so cannot comment on that location.

[TestMangler]

I would say £400 a day is about 'normal' for the North (and further North) for a TM.

Regards,

TM.

[stek]

And Telford meaning DWP/HMRC thereby SC clearance is needed - does the OP have that?

[bathingape]

Telford has a big HMRC \ DWP centre so you may get a good rate there but would need to be aware of IR35.

Why aware of IR35? Is it purely because it's HMRC or something else?

[TestMangler]

Why aware of IR35? Is it purely because it's HMRC or something else?

Anything public sector has IR35 alarm bells !

As NLUK would say, try a search

[BolshieBastard]

Why aware of IR35? Is it purely because it's HMRC or something else?

Im presuming by Telford, the chances of any big paying TM roles means the client is more than likely HMRC.

Although people will say get changes made to the contract, if the end client is HMRC its highly unlikely imo that the contract will be worth the paper its written on ie outside IR35, if there's any investigation. Also, £400 a day IR35 caught while better than nothing, will result in substantially less net income.