Would You take a gig that's 20% less than your usual day rate to avoid the bench?

**Agent** · 31 March 2017, 08:31

Originally posted by Tractor Trace View Post

Just asking....

I've had a couple off long breaks over the last 3 years and coming to the end of my current contract which is only 3 months. Last time I made the mistake of being rather picky and only going for gigs of a certain rate so that it took about 4 or 5 months to get placed.

I've had a few years experience behind me now and tempted to again wait for the rate I want. However a gig has potentially come up which is 20% lower but would mean something to go into straight after my current one. Do I take it? Just wondering what the lowest people on here are our have been willing to drop to in order to keep off the bench?

Yes, take it. I see this exact situation every single day. It's simple maths, and a false economy to wait 2 months for a higher rate contract.

That said, only you know what you need to live on, if the low rate means that you can't pay your mortage then get a perm job..

**cojak** · 31 March 2017, 08:31

I took a drop after 6 months on the bench. Are there any other contracts lined up?

If there aren't I'd think very carefully before rejecting the only live offer on the table.

**vwdan** · 31 March 2017, 08:32

Depends way too much on, well, everything.

How's the warchest?
Do you fancy a holiday?
What's your market like?
Is it close to home?
Decent project/tech?

I've never quite understood the automatic aversion to bench time - it's one of my favourite bits, so long as the warchest is okay and I'm getting calls.

I wouldn't take a 20% hit on a contract that sees me working a million miles away with crap tech, but I wouldn't think twice if it was commutable for example.

**jimjamuk** · 31 March 2017, 08:53

Gone are the days of a usual day rate - its either a rate you are good with or not given the number of available contracts at the moment is fairly low.

Better to be invoicing than not unless you have a large warchest and have your feet up

**AndrewK** · 31 March 2017, 09:22

I would say timing important. We now into April-May, potentially one of busiest periods.

**SueEllen** · 31 March 2017, 09:49

It's not summer so I would take it.

**northernladuk** · 31 March 2017, 09:55

Depends. If it's 20% less because it's a crap gig that's going to put a dent in my CV then absolutely not. Like for like work, just crap rate then I'd have to look at other factors about location and the like. It's not as simple as just the money but then I've not had any long periods on the bench to be fair.

**radish2008** · 31 March 2017, 10:12

Originally posted by Tractor Trace View Post

Just asking....

I've had a couple off long breaks over the last 3 years and coming to the end of my current contract which is only 3 months. Last time I made the mistake of being rather picky and only going for gigs of a certain rate so that it took about 4 or 5 months to get placed.

I've had a few years experience behind me now and tempted to again wait for the rate I want. However a gig has potentially come up which is 20% lower but would mean something to go into straight after my current one. Do I take it? Just wondering what the lowest people on here are or have been willing to drop to in order to keep off the bench?

Yes without a doubt. I had 4 months off once with enough in the bank to see me through 6 months. Any money (within reason) is better than no money.

**radish2008** · 31 March 2017, 10:13

Originally posted by northernladuk View Post

Depends. If it's 20% less because it's a crap gig that's going to put a dent in my CV then absolutely not. Like for like work, just crap rate then I'd have to look at other factors about location and the like. It's not as simple as just the money but then I've not had any long periods on the bench to be fair.

It changes your perspective when you do have a few months on the bench.

Would You take a gig that's 20% less than your usual day rate to avoid the bench?