Subcontracting for clientco whilst in contract

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

I'm just wondering if anybody has done this before?

Let's say I want to provide a certain set of services but we need some additional technical services to complete the job. I have a few options
1) Learn the skill myself and do it within my contract - since it doesn't fall outside the service I am contracted to provide
2) Spec it up, do all the technical work outside of that particular skill and then get some quotes for the service....

Are there any other options and with 2) are you able to invoice clientco for the service but get somebody else to effectively do the work? I'm looking for the best deal for clientco ultimately in any case and not just out to get some extra cash.

[TheFaQQer]

You have the contract to deliver the services - how you do that should be up to your company to decide.

If it's best to bring someone in, then act like a business and bring someone in - you are still responsible for their work because your company has the contract with the client.

Bringing in someone would probably help your IR35 defence too.

[northernladuk]

Learn the skill myself and do it within my contract - since it doesn't fall outside the service I am contracted to provide

How can it be in the scope of the service you are contracted to provide if you don't have the skills to deliver?

I think this is very situational based and not sure if we know enough. If you do learn the skill and carry it out surely it will impact what you are delivering now i.e. it's extra work. Are you not going to affect timescales by taking extra unplanned skills/work on.

You say you want the best for the client but you're being paid to deliver something so there is a conflict of interest there Is the best for the client getting one contractor (or team) to take on all this stuff and then have them by the nuts when it comes to supporting it going forward? I read in to this that you are doing a great job of changing this in to some kind of managed service for them but if not done properly he ends up with a service that only one contractor can fix... Great for the contractor but a short sighted nightmare for the client?

I don't know the scope or type of work you are expected to deliver so can't really make a good call on this. I guess the contractor answer would be to do whatever makes you the most money and keeps you in the gig longer?

[FrontEnder]

How can it be in the scope of the service you are contracted to provide if you don't have the skills to deliver?

The contracted service could be fairly broad in scope, but a particular part of the project needs a more specific skill.

An analogy for my field would be that I'm contracted to web development. They client then decides a part of the app I'm building needs to use one of the thousands of javascript frameworks out there. I'm fluent in javascript and know a good bit of Angular.js, but never worked with React.js. React is all new and shiny, so the client wants to try it out.

I've got the necessary skills and experience to pick up a new framework quickly, but it might be quicker to find a freelance developer who could have the job finished in half the time it takes me.

[northernladuk]

Ahhh.. gotcha. Thanks for that.

[SimonMac]

I'm just wondering if anybody has done this before?

Let's say I want to provide a certain set of services but we need some additional technical services to complete the job. I have a few options
1) Learn the skill myself and do it within my contract - since it doesn't fall outside the service I am contracted to provide
2) Spec it up, do all the technical work outside of that particular skill and then get some quotes for the service....

Are there any other options and with 2) are you able to invoice clientco for the service but get somebody else to effectively do the work? I'm looking for the best deal for clientco ultimately in any case and not just out to get some extra cash.

Won't it be someone else's problem when you bail on the contract?

(SimonMac in NLUK mode)

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

The contracted service could be fairly broad in scope, but a particular part of the project needs a more specific skill.

An analogy for my field would be that I'm contracted to web development. They client then decides a part of the app I'm building needs to use one of the thousands of javascript frameworks out there. I'm fluent in javascript and know a good bit of Angular.js, but never worked with React.js. React is all new and shiny, so the client wants to try it out.

I've got the necessary skills and experience to pick up a new framework quickly, but it might be quicker to find a freelance developer who could have the job finished in half the time it takes me.

Thanks for that - very good example and similar to my situation.

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

Won't it be someone else's problem when you bail on the contract?

(SimonMac in NLUK mode)

yep but up until then it's still my problem

[jamesbrown]

Subcontracting is routine. To begin with, check your contract for clauses on subcontracting, as it may be disallowed or fettered (even if substitution is allowed). Assuming it is allowed (or agreement can be obtained), you remain the service provider, and any subcontractor will be working for YourCo. You will remain responsible for the delivery of the services to ClientCo. If you're on a T&M basis, you may incur a loss, depending on the relative rates on the main and subcontracted work. You may also make a gain, but it will likely be small, all things factored. Obviously, you will need appropriate insurance in place and a back-up plan if the subcontractor fails to deliver.

Since IR35 is mentioned above, one small comment: subcontracting and substitution are not the same thing, and the latter is a much stronger pointer than the former (although both help).

[VectraMan]

Sounds like a good opportunity to learn a new skill whilst being paid for it.