Average contractor rate rise and how often?

[hgllgh]

I'm coming up to my second annual renewal and will be asking for the agent for a daily rate increase.
Just curious what peoples experience's doing this are. Ask for 5% ? 10? a specific daily rate? At every renewal?

In my case I started off at a decent rate... not top top end but decent. I am sole BA for new mission critical systems/web services, both internal and external, for a large international sporting organisation. Client is more than happy and working relationships are very good....
....So I was planning on asking for an inflation matching increase of 7% (same/similar to the past 2 years inflation), although of course strictly speaking, if that is what I wanted to achieve, then asking for 10% with the inevitable negotiation down by the agent might yield the best outcome....
...Although asking for 10% seems to be pushing it bit, I am guessing the agent might ask the client for a bit less and maybe then also take a fraction out of their, probably significant cut, but at the same time I run the risk of the agent asking the client for full 10% which might raise the client's eyebrows!

[Manic]

You might want to check in on the State of the Market thread for inspiration.

[SussexSeagull]

Bearing in mind the market I would be tempted to keep my head down. Don't give them a chance to think about any renewal more than they have to.

[WTFH]

It depends.
Have you delivered at least as much as was asked? Has the project been on time/in budget? Etc.
Also, if you’re coming up to your second annual renewal, just confirm what sort of contract you have (or you think you have)

[hobnob]

I've never changed my rates at renewal time - i've got an (effective) increase by switching to my next client.

I say "effective", because I'm basing it on take-home pay (e.g. working locally saves me paying for travel/accommodation).

[BlueSharp]

Completly depends how confident are you can get another role paying a higher amount

[avonleigh]

If you are on a decent rate I wouldn't be asking for a rise in this current climate. Personally I don't bother to ask for rises anyway as they seldom happen, in my experience anyway. If I had been somewhere a long time I would probably push it more though.

[Eirikur]

If you have an offer on the table with a higher rate it make sit easier to ask for an increase

[willendure]

I always think as a contractor, if you ask for a rise you have to be prepared to walk. Like I want 10% more, because I can find 10% more elsewhere, so agree to it or say goodbye kind of thing.

[dogzilla]

Never stuck around long enough to have this question honestly. If you're hanging around that long, questions over why you're a contractor in the first place and not an employee.

I did get asked to leave by a client and then re-hired 3 months later when the replacement was an absolute bellend, they had to stump up another 25%.