Is it acceptable to discuss rates with other contractors working at the same client?

[northernladyuk]

I would be shocked, shocked, I say to find out exactly how much other contractors are being paid and how much everyone is being charged out at to the end client.

Knowledge is power.

But as others say, tread carefully.

[Lance]

I have discussed this occasionally. Golden rule is not to let it bother you whatever the differences are. I like to know what others are on as it helps understand market rates better.
It’s all good information. If you act like a twunt based on the information then you deserve to get binned.

[clearedforlanding]

Possibly the most demotivating thing you can do whilst gigging, very useful to guage market rates when moving.

[BackupBoy]

No. <ting!> Next?

[heyya99]

What do you hope to gain? I don't care what other contractors are earning. I accepted a rate I was happy with and they did the same. If they're on more than me, good for them.

I know I quite often undervalue myself as I have many a time been asked what I want for a gig and immediately been given that rate with no quibbles and other times have had permie budget holders tell me I cost less than other contractors. But, at the end of the day, I get lots of repeat business, my bills are paid and I live a comfortable lifestyle. Knowing another contractor's rate is not going to make a blind bit of difference to any of that.

The person next to you in on £200 pd more than you and you don't care?

[northernladyuk]

The person next to you in on £200 pd more than you and you don't care?

She likes working extra days.

[BR14]

The person next to you in on £200 pd more than you and you don't care?

Why should you, - you're not a permie with a structured salary scale.
you negotiate a rate for the job, then accept it and carry on.
if someone's got a better deal, that's hats off to them, and maybe you'll play harder next gig.
FFS! are there any real contractors on this forum???

[Hobosapien]

It's handy to know come renewal time but not worth rocking the boat over. Sometimes it becomes apparent over a few beers if you have a good casual relationship with fellow contractors or the client management.

Other times I've found out by accident (overheard conversations or paperwork left lying about), sixth sense (no actual figures discussed but could work out the ballpark), or when the client actively wanted it all in the open so they could be sure the agency wasn't taking the piss too much and were therefore getting value for their money in terms of quality of contractor they would expect to attract for their outlay.

Sometime it's become apparent towards the end of a project and they let the more expensive contractors (with similar skills set and role) go first as things wind down. Hence I don't worry about squeezing every last £1 on the rate when sometime a slightly longer stint is offered for being just as good (or better ) but slightly cheaper. Though then you're into 'better to be cheaper and get lots of renewals' or 'expensive but need more contracts', which can be swayed by likely bench time between contracts and size of warchest to wait it out to determine which approach may be financially the better one. Then again the best contractors are both expensive and get lots of renewals.

[uk contractor]

Its all part of the game really. I often if asked tell others how much but I mislead them & lowball my number by about 25-30% to see their reaction & sometimes they go quiet which you know means they are on way more! Slightly underhand I know but anyone who asks your rate is not going to be a work friend at all are they!

[craig1]

A friend of mine, used to be a reasonably good friend, now more of an acquaintance, got me a gig working with him running a programme of work. He had the same role but on a different programme. He was boasting about the rates, how he was at the top end of their contractor payment tree and they couldn't go higher for ANYONE. I came in, interviewed and was offered the same as him plus £20p/d more on their specialist skills contractor scheme. Only £20p/d, not much but £4000 over a year isn't to be sniffed at for no extra work.

I didn't mention it using the old rule of it's not anyone else's business what rate I get.

About three months later, my mate found out my rate because he was asked to do a business case on contractor rates for a new scheme and had access to all in the company for example purposes. He threw a right wobbler when he found out my rate, accused me of being a "traitor", sent a "f*** you" email to the COO who oversaw our work and stormed out the same day.

There's usually no good that'll come from disclosing your rate or salary to anyone else in a company. It just brings out the negative in people, either "heh, I earn more than" smugness or "how dare they pay HIM more than ME!"