Average contractor rate rise and how often?

[Unix]

I have in the past, but current contract has been going for 2 and a half years and im on the same rate as when I started. Im happy with my rate and the work is fully remote, also the market is very bad so not eager to rock the boat. Best time to get a rate bump is on your next role.

[Fraidycat]

Put yourself in your client's mindset and answer this question honestly: Why should I pay this person more money and what value will i get from that, ie will i get I money back or I can I get better and cheaper else where?

Client mindset is more often like 'The project is already late and we cant have key people leaving at this stage..'

[SussexSeagull]

TBH I have only ever got to the two year mark in a contract once and with hindsight I should have gone on to something new much earlier as it wasn't a great contract technology wise and I went a bit stale professionally speaking.

Plus of course you can't claim for expenses anymore.

[courtg9000]

Put yourself in your client's mindset and answer this question honestly: Why should I pay this person more money and what value will i get from that, ie will i get I money back or I can I get better and cheaper else where?

[edison]

I've had a dozen gigs over the years and chanced my arm once at renewal time and got a 5% rate rise.

It wasn't much but I had a feeling the agent was already taking a decent cut and neither they or the client batted an eyelid. Today's market is very different, you'd have to be brave/confident to ask for a rise now mid-assignment.

[dsc]

The only time I've bothered requesting a rate change would be in the case that I've accepted a change of scope to that originally agreed. I might make that request at renewal time or at the time the scope is changed, depending on the nature of the change, how long I've been there, relationship withe client, etc etc. [...]

^^^ this, in theory you shouldn't even be overdelivering as your scope is set before you start a contract, so you basically know what you are taking on and you give them a rate for that scope of work. Scope changes - re-assess and rate change if needed, when some funky skills are required etc. Rate change over time is normally seen in services which last a long period, something you shouldn't really be doing as a contractor anyway (unless it's one of your multiple clients and you are doing support or something similar for a long period).

And before you ask, try to check with people how likely it is to be told yes, of course this depends on the relationship with the client, but in most cases you do know how well you are doing the job and whether you stick as a sore thumb in terms of cost. In the current job market, I'd be happy if I had a renewal let alone try to push the client to pay more, but that's just me of course.

[TheDude]

Rate rise - that's classic.

In this market it might be an idea to keep your mouth shut rather than discovering you are not as indispensable as you think you are.

[unixman]

Your rate is good, they are about to renew the contract - all is good with the world.

Pay increases are part of employment, for obvious reasons. They aren't appropriate for shortish contracts. If you could earn more elsewhere, good. Complete your contract as-is, and look forward to a higher paid role thereafter.

Having been there 2 years, you have endured some pretty stiff inflation on that rate. But so has everybody else. Your question is perhaps understandable, but in my view, keep everything sweet and keep tootling along.

[Ketto]

I’d always suggest not over thinking it and just quoting what your rate is for an extension and either being prepared to walk if they say no, or back down with minimal fuss if you’re not. Bear in mind also that the market is very bad at the moment and may be for some time.

In my experience the mindset you have before starting this conversation seems to directly impact the outcome, if I’m prepared to walk i’ve nearly always had the increase accepted, if i subconsciously know i’ll back down then more often than not it isn’t. I must give off half arsed vibes if i’m not serious.

Current client just asked me to quote for a new project starting in the new year and i just bumped the rate up by 5% in the document, it was accepted and nobody batted an eye lid.

[ladymuck]

The only time I've bothered requesting a rate change would be in the case that I've accepted a change of scope to that originally agreed. I might make that request at renewal time or at the time the scope is changed, depending on the nature of the change, how long I've been there, relationship withe client, etc etc.

Otherwise, you're essentially saying that you no longer want to honour the price you originally agreed for the job.

In future, if you want to get a rate increase on extensions then perhaps look at rental increase clauses in tenancy agreements and see if you can get a similarly worded clause added to your next contract. (Never tried it myself)