Will contract rates increase to pass dividend tax increase to clients?

[Willapp]

No its more likely that the agents that they are using, are pocketing the extra cash and then dredging the market for mugs on 300 a day. Its interesting how many agents do this. I needed some architects last year and had 700 a day to spend. the CV's were bloody awful in the end I pulled a few mates in and the agency was fuming because I set the rate over their heads.

Open Book my arse....

I'm sure that does happen but it's not the case here. The client's internal agency are on a very small fixed margin and we're talking £400+pd rates, even the external agency they also use are advertising at £375+ which is a great rate for this part of the world IMO.

[SussexSeagull]

No its more likely that the agents that they are using, are pocketing the extra cash and then dredging the market for mugs on 300 a day. Its interesting how many agents do this. I needed some architects last year and had 700 a day to spend. the CV's were bloody awful in the end I pulled a few mates in and the agency was fuming because I set the rate over their heads.

Open Book my arse....

£300 a day isn't a bad rate for some!

Some of them actually didn't renew to go somewhere else so I imagine the rate was more than agreeable for them.

To flip the argument round, are some people proving themselves out of the market?

[bobspud]

I feel the same. Everyone I know is in contract at the moment, and my current client (a very large company in the East of England) are struggling to find decent developers whether contract or perm and the rates they're offering are extremely competitive so I can only assume there is a genuine shortage of the skilled resource they're looking for.

No its more likely that the agents that they are using, are pocketing the extra cash and then dredging the market for mugs on 300 a day. Its interesting how many agents do this. I needed some architects last year and had 700 a day to spend. the CV's were bloody awful in the end I pulled a few mates in and the agency was fuming because I set the rate over their heads.

Open Book my arse....

[bobspud]

I must confess when I hear of people saying the contract market is in a bad way I am surprised as most if not all of the contractors I know are in contract and have minimal breaks between engagements. Admittedly this isn't a scientific survey.

To get back to the original question, if you are on, for arguments sake, £300 a day and ask for £325 you need to adding more value than someone else on £300.

Thats easy. Just pointing out the stress of finding another resource and waiting for 3 months for them to get up to speed will get you a £50 a day bump. I think some contractors play into the bigger businesses hands to readily.

I also know many contractors that stay off the market quite well but all too many of them are quoting far too low for the job they are doing.

In contrast I know a chap that is happy to take a break or two in a year but he specialises in start tomorrow type gigs that he can hold to a 4 figure ransom.

[Willapp]

I must confess when I hear of people saying the contract market is in a bad way I am surprised as most if not all of the contractors I know are in contract and have minimal breaks between engagements. Admittedly this isn't a scientific survey.

I feel the same. Everyone I know is in contract at the moment, and my current client (a very large company in the East of England) are struggling to find decent developers whether contract or perm and the rates they're offering are extremely competitive so I can only assume there is a genuine shortage of the skilled resource they're looking for.

[SlipTheJab]

I must confess when I hear of people saying the contract market is in a bad way I am surprised as most if not all of the contractors I know are in contract and have minimal breaks between engagements. Admittedly this isn't a scientific survey.

To get back to the original question, if you are on, for arguments sake, £300 a day and ask for £325 you need to adding more value than someone else on £300.

I would say the more likely scenario is that you need to be a better negotiator, different agency margins means that the client is probably paying the same to the agency regardless.

[SussexSeagull]

In my experience the rates aren't half. It really depends on your sector.

I was getting calls earlier this year for jobs in Sheffield and Manchester which were within 20% of my London rate. Considering cost of living, it's very competitive.

And given the fact they are calling me in London, it seems the demand is outstripping supply up there.

The tech industry is still growing massively. I can only assume those of you talking about the end of contracting are in an oversubscribed sector.

I must confess when I hear of people saying the contract market is in a bad way I am surprised as most if not all of the contractors I know are in contract and have minimal breaks between engagements. Admittedly this isn't a scientific survey.

To get back to the original question, if you are on, for arguments sake, £300 a day and ask for £325 you need to adding more value than someone else on £300.

[KentDogWalker]

Watch this space

Yeah, why is it that clients in London don't like you working the odd days remote and let you work part time?

[dogzilla]

In my experience the rates aren't half. It really depends on your sector.

I was getting calls earlier this year for jobs in Sheffield and Manchester which were within 20% of my London rate. Considering cost of living, it's very competitive.

And given the fact they are calling me in London, it seems the demand is outstripping supply up there.

The tech industry is still growing massively. I can only assume those of you talking about the end of contracting are in an oversubscribed sector.

[LondonManc]

"Manchester-based resource for £300-£350/day rather than a London-based one for £500-£600/day" <<< That's why

Ah yes. As you were