Balancing Two Clients

[I just need to test it]

I'm working 20 days a month with a client who, being brutally honest, needs me for less than half that. The client doesn't seem to care. It's very relaxed; lots of laughter, chatter, permies web-browsing ad nauseum.

I fill my time working through their issues log, however despite frequent nagging they never got around to testing anything, so it all feels pointless. I stress to them that if I am not occupied then I will go home and not bill, but I soon found this was the road to destitution.

So this week I am sitting quietly in a corner learning javascript.

This is Month 6. The normal pattern is, as the month draws to a close, I rationalise that "No one in their right mind would offer an extension", brace myself to leave, put out feelers for other work, then on the last afternoon they announce they have found some budget money and invite me to stay another month. The previous developer was here years working on this basis.

I like the work when it actually comes. I like the client, the staff, I have a very acceptable working environment apart from the empty days. I don't want this relationship to end altogether. But I have the *chance* of a second part-time contract that might complement this one. It's at the other end of the country, though I can stay with a friend, plus I have remote access to Client1 should it be necessary.

So in theory these two contracts could fit together well.

The sensible thing, it seems to me (though my judgement is not usually to be trusted), is to firm up an offer from Client2 before I speak to Client1 about restructuring my contract. Both contracts involve agencies. Though my heart says "Gauge Client1's reaction to the proposal first".

Do any of you battle-scarred veterans have related anecdotal tales I can read then ignore as I bumble my way to penury?

[LondonManc]

Juggling clients isn't easy - you cannot remote to one from the other as the one being remoted from will get peed off about it. If you can do part time with them (e.g. agree Monday/Wed/Fri onsite with offsite support on T&M basis outside of the 3 days) and it's possible to support the original client outside of those 3 days, then you may be able to fit 6 working days into your five day week.

[northernladuk]

Contracts are short term pieces of work. You have a situation where two contracts 'may' work in parallel. What happens when one of them dries up, evaporates or completes which is guaranteed to happen? You are going to be left working 50% of the time and the chances of you finding another part time one are pretty darn slim. You are going to have to appreciate that as soon as you start down this line either gig ending will probably mean you have to give notice on the other and go back to finding a full time one. I'd ask where is the benefit in running two 50% gigs unless you can guarantee you can get end to end part time gigs. Why not just find another full time one... I say find another as that as it sounds very much like you are part and parcel at the gig you are in now so time to get out. You may not want to because you like it there and are comfortable.. which is being part and parcel...

That is assuming you are not going to be carrying out gig 2 while billing gig 1 or something just as daft. If you are going to do who knows what will happen when it hits the fan. You just have to hope the time spent on the bench after getting walked is less than the bit of money extra you made.

[I just need to test it]

Thanks. re-reading my post I see I have omitted a key bit of information with regard to my objectives. Apologies.

My ideal is to work circa 160 days a year. I can survive on less, I can cope with more.

Right now I see a opportunity to establish relationships with two clients who operate a "preferred contractor" list that could (with callbacks) potentially see me across the finishing line in 5-8 years. I just need to gauge my current client's attitude to me working reduced days.

What will happen, of course, is Client1 will snap my hands off, agree a six month contract at 2 days a week, then Client2 tells me to do one.

[LondonManc]

In that case, the key thing imo for you to look into is the real situation regarding right of substitution and if you have a contractor that you can trust who can fill in at either client when needed.

[northernladuk]

IR35 is on a contract by contract basis so if you are talking those timescales you have to change your method of engagement so as not to become part and parcel.

[JoJoGabor]

Do not underestimate the stress this can cause. I am coming to the end of doing such a juggling act now. My old client needed some work done which I agreed to do at weekends and in my evenings as I have a full time contract elsewhere. Of course this always bleeds into a "Can we have a quick call at some time in business hours" and the client demanding you come onsite to sort something out, which you have to refuse, so you end up taking your lunchtime out for a call, with two sets of demands.

The extra money is nice, but the effect it has on your personal life and stress isn't generally worth it.

[NotAllThere]

I've currently three separate clients. They're all aware that they're not my only customers. In the past years, I've not had any major clashes over demands for my time, but it does sometimes require long days.

[northernladuk]

My misuss can take three clients on at a time but it does take a certain level of skill an agility to manage successfully.

[mudskipper]

I have a 'main' client 4 days a week - my contract says 100 days over 6 months - so there is some flexibility.

I have a clientB who gives me anything from 0 - 8 days work a month (38 days work in total last year). Most of the time it works well. Occasionally, when clientB want a lot of stuff, or want several consecutive days, it becomes challenging, but so far has not been a major problem - clientB are aware that they need to give me notice for when they need me.