Letting down a client easy (end of contract)

**sadkingbilly** · 27 June 2025, 13:34

Originally posted by jf2010 View Post

Hi folks,

Coming to the end of my current contract in 4 weeks and have this week received another offer which I have just accepted (as it is a more interesting role etc)

In my current role I have explicitly asked status of renewal since May, wanting to stay on and even mentioned them the chance to go perm there if there was a suitable role.... My manager told me not to worry that contract would definitely be extended and they would see in coming months/year about a perm role

Since then as I mentioned I kind of stumbled on this new role (one interview call), which is too good to pass up on as I need an upskilling and hope this will help

I did like my current role and would possibly go back in future as contractor or possibly in a perm role and stay for a few years

How best to word this / tell them to not burn bridges ? As I feel they will be some what blindsighted by this and project will need to replace my role on team

well, you've kinda got a verbal agreement with your current gig, so if you can them, they probably wont be best pleased( understandably).
getting a rep for not finishing projects will do you no good in the long term.
no amount of wordsmithing will change the facts.
still, do what you like.

**b0redom** · 27 June 2025, 13:50

Do you have a signed extension?

No?

Then you don't have a contract.

Just be professional, suck it up and tell your manager that as you've not had any paperwork, you went out to market and have found something else. You're telling them now as you want to give them the maximum time to arrange for a proper professional handover.

You don't owe them anything beyond the end of your contract, and you can be damn sure they'd drop you like a stone if the boot was on the other foot.

**sadkingbilly** · 27 June 2025, 13:55

Originally posted by b0redom View Post

Do you have a signed extension?

No?

Then you don't have a contract.

Just be professional, suck it up and tell your manager that as you've not had any paperwork, you went out to market and have found something else. You're telling them now as you want to give them the maximum time to arrange for a proper professional handover.

You don't owe them anything beyond the end of your contract, and you can be damn sure they'd drop you like a stone if the boot was on the other foot.

yes, let them believe you'll extend, then drop them in it mid project.
very professional.
typical webdev.

**ladymuck** · 27 June 2025, 13:57

I'm with b0redom on this. You don't have a contract renewal until you actually have the paper work in your hands.

When does the new client want you to start, and have they issued the contract? In an ideal world you wouldn't give notice on your current gig until they've done the paperwork or you risk having nothing.

**b0redom** · 27 June 2025, 13:59

"Don't worry there will be an extension."

Have you seriously never heard a client say that and then that suddenly change to. "Ahh. Yeah, sorry there's no budget any more." ?

That's even happened to me with a couple of permie offers.

If you don't have a contract, you don't have a contract. Simple as that. It's not like he's even dropping them in it. As I understand it, OP has a contract which will come to and end in 4 weeks and will no longer be available to offer his services following its completion.

**oliverson** · 27 June 2025, 14:30

Originally posted by b0redom View Post

"Don't worry there will be an extension."

Have you seriously never heard a client say that and then that suddenly change to. "Ahh. Yeah, sorry there's no budget any more." ?

That's even happened to me with a couple of permie offers.

If you don't have a contract, you don't have a contract. Simple as that. It's not like he's even dropping them in it. As I understand it, OP has a contract which will come to and end in 4 weeks and will no longer be available to offer his services following its completion.

Exactly. I had that one once, then one of the other devs came up to me as my contract was coming to a close and said that he was sorry I'm leaving!!! News to me. That really left me in the tulip as it was during the financial crisis and I had a really rough year from then given I was contracting in London finance. It was also just approaching Christmas.

Another one as well, funnily enough with another London investment bank. I'd finished a stint with them, had a couple of weeks off and another team wanted to interview me. So in I go and nail the interview. I'm down All Bar One in Canary Wharf with my contractor mate, celebrating by drinking a couple of bottles of champagne. Agent assures me it's been signed off by several people in London and it just needs somebody in Paris to press a single button. That button never got pressed!

So, there's a real need to look after number 1 because as others have said, many companies will drop you like a bad habit. But having said that, it does feel uneasy dropping the in the tulip, particularly if you like the place and/or the team.

I think I'd just be completely honest with the current client and tell them the market is pretty much impossible at the moment, given the IR35 reforms, the state of the economy and the fact there's loads of people on the bench with all the tech layoffs, so you'd no alternative but to pursue this new one as a precaution. I'd also mention the rate is a bit higher as well ;-). You never know.

Alternatively, if they're both remote roles, and they're outside, do them both!

**jf2010** · 27 June 2025, 15:36

Originally posted by sadkingbilly View Post

getting a rep for not finishing projects will do you no good in the long term.

Thats true. But these are 12 month contracts and becoming stale for another 12 months in this role would be worse I am thinking (current is a good company but current team is very outdated)

I am leaning to the new role due to newer (shinier) tech to hopefully be more employable in 12 months even with this hopefully not too burnt bridge

**Chris Bryce** · 27 June 2025, 16:37

Originally posted by b0redom View Post

Do you have a signed extension?

No?

Then you don't have a contract.

Just be professional, suck it up and tell your manager that as you've not had any paperwork, you went out to market and have found something else. You're telling them now as you want to give them the maximum time to arrange for a proper professional handover.

You don't owe them anything beyond the end of your contract, and you can be damn sure they'd drop you like a stone if the boot was on the other foot.

This ^^

Just be mega professional, and give them as much notice as you can. Be aware though that your new contract isn't in the bag until a) the paperwork is done and b) you're actually working on it. There's always a risk that a new contract gets canned before you start.

**Dorkeaux** · 28 June 2025, 10:32

I feel you, no client likes to lose a valued co-worker with industry and company-specific experience if there is more work to be done

But you are leaving at "The end of the contract" so to speak.
And have only some verbage to indicate it would be renewed.

I can see the client being salty if you are on the verge of a deliverable that will now go uncompleted.
That might colour your chances of being hired again at this client.
It's not a great look to dump your client in a load of tulip, but it sounds like you have put in long service with them.

On the balance, I would say lick the current client all over but take the new contract.

If it's true, tell your stakeholders an co-workers sincerely how much you've enjoyed working with them and how awesome they are.
But this new opportunity is simply "an offer you can't refuse".
As a contractor, you have to manage your own career progression. This is how you do it.
If it's outside IR35, you might also mention that you have to avoid red flags with HRMC.

Also, as other posters have said, ensure the handover is done with diligence and remain positive and energetic for your final weeks. No coasting.

And congratulations. It sounds like a good opportunity.

Letting down a client easy (end of contract)