Direct with the client and agreeing a rate... room for movement with the agent?

**northernladuk** · 2 March 2016, 19:56

What do you mean will I be able to negotiate with the agent? Or have a conversation with them. Surely you are going to have rondo that to engage with them? You aren't thinking you are going to get more from the agent are you?

IMO at 100 quid a day I'd be sacking it off. You will got lots of gig's with lots of clients. The gig you have been offered is as long as the advertised (or as long as your notice period to be pedantic)(but notice periods are for permies) but anyway, they are short term pieces of work. The benefits of location and work will be gone in 3 months and you'll be back to square one missing a lot of money.

**clearedforlanding** · 2 March 2016, 19:57

Originally posted by BND100 View Post

Is it worth a conversation with the agency after agreeing directly with the client?

Quality of life can play a big part as well as rate.

Yes. On a simple delimitation of clientco contract/invoicing/payment effort they should be charging no more than 12.5% margin, 10 would be what I would aim for.

The benefits of location and work will be gone in 3 months and you'll be back to square one missing a lot of money.

That really depends on the cost incurred at the other location and and % value of the contract of the monetary difference.

Quality of life can play a big part as well as rate.

**northernladuk** · 2 March 2016, 20:04

Man... Quoting all that for two line reply really screws up on the Mobile App.

**BND100** · 2 March 2016, 20:07

Worth mentioning the £100 more is 90 miles away so would require lots of travel hours or working away... got a 6 month old so being close to home is appealing.

My thinking was if they have said "This is the max we can give you" I imagine the amount the agency is getting is higher... therefore can I ask the agent outright what the full invoice is for? I have a very good relationship with the client so am not worried about upsetting them. I thought it was worth asking the question now before I am put through the agent.

**clearedforlanding** · 2 March 2016, 20:11

Originally posted by BND100 View Post

Worth mentioning the £100 more is 90 miles away so would require lots of travel hours or working away... got a 6 month old so being close to home is appealing.

I thought it was worth asking the question now before I am put through the agent.

They grow up quickly. I wish I had made an emotive call rather than a financial one at that point in my children's lives.

If the relationship with the client is good, why not start by asking them the agency's margin, and negotiate from that position?

**BND100** · 2 March 2016, 20:15

Originally posted by clearedforlanding View Post

They grow up quickly. I wish I had made an emotive call rather than a financial one at that point in my children's lives.

If the relationship with the client is good, why not start by asking them the agency's margin, and negotiate from that position?

Great shout... The contact who deals with the agent I am fairly friendly with so I will find about beforehand.

Yep it was an experienced contractor of 10 years who told me the difference is worth its weight in gold being able to go home every night.

I was away for 3 nights last week and I am sure he has grown a full head of hair in that time!

**northernladuk** · 2 March 2016, 20:27

Ahh that kind of mileage and situation at home does make a massive difference. Just hope this gig is a long one as its a little quite out there.

**SlipTheJab** · 2 March 2016, 21:09

Originally posted by clearedforlanding View Post

Quality of life can play a big part as well as rate.

Yes. On a simple delimitation of clientco contract/invoicing/payment effort they should be charging no more than 12.5% margin, 10 would be what I would aim for.

That really depends on the cost incurred at the other location and and % value of the contract of the monetary difference.

Quality of life can play a big part as well as rate.

12.5%!!! As the agency did no work finding the role and are just there to do the payroll I would say 5% is a fair sum

**northernladuk** · 2 March 2016, 21:42

Originally posted by SlipTheJab View Post

12.5%!!! As the agency did no work finding the role and are just there to do the payroll I would say 5% is a fair sum

But if the rate is 100 quid less than market the percentage won't work. 5% of not much might just not be worth it.

Direct with the client and agreeing a rate... room for movement with the agent?