Is a rate increase after 3 months liberties?

[dotnetter]

I don't think so, but just spoke to my agent and he seemed to think there wasnt enough budget for a pay increase when I get extended.

The client is full on happy with my work but apparentyl the budget isnt there.

Sound to me they are either worried about their margin being cut, or scared to ask the client for more money.

Feel like I'm actually working for the agency

Anyway got something else in the pipeline so if they don't play ball, then they gotta get someone else in. Good luck.

That would be my second 3 monther on the trot, want a nice long 6 monther.

Would you leave or stay on the same rate? It's just I dont feel like I'm getting paid what I'm worth to be honest.

[oracleslave]

Sounds like you can make your case from a position of strength (you have another gig lined up). However an increase after 3 months might be considered a liberty. I would probably consider the possibility of getting future work out of themm past the first extension before playing hardball as they will probably only let you hold them to ransom once.

[HarryPearce]

Right or wrong?

Budgets do matter, they have to arranged way before you're hired and are the devil to change within a financial year. If the rate was fair at the start of the contract then stick to it. Three months in is not long enough to prove your worth in the long term, unless you're an absolute genius.

That said it would cost your client a lot to rehire if you walked at the end of three moths.

Personally, unless the rate is not sufficient to live on plus a suitable margin (say a month of cash in the bank for every six worked) then live with it. Otherwise you'll find you walk on every contract and never get to the point where rate rises do happen. That's demoralising, and you might like to look at http://www.softwarebyrob.com/article...han_Money.aspx for other ways of improving things.

Nick

[dotnetter]

Cheers for the answer. The rate is ok, but I know I'm worth more that's why I'm asking for more. The project manager has said he's very pleased with the quality of work, and I've done more than enough to justify it.

I have a very good oppurtunity in the pipeline working direct for a client for alot more money. But it's not definate yet and also I would still like to get 5-6 months out of this one.

I suppose what gets me more than the rate increase is the agents attitude, it's like I'm asking him for a payrise rather than him trying to get me a better rate, if you get what I'm saying?

[VectraMan]

The agent has probably agreed an increase already, based on your hard work, and decided not to pass it on to you.

[Muttley08]

Depends which budget...

Most departmental budgets have some slack, and it depends what happened when you took the contact and negotiated.

Don't forget the agent isn't the guy with the budget - he's got his cut - so you can always try and take a bigger slice of that.

Take the PM out for a beer, and find out more after a couple of jars of the landlords finest would be my advice. Then you've got the facts to screw the agent

[Bright Spark]

having too many three month contracts on your cv will also put future
clients off because they will read between the lines.

[dotnetter]

having too many three month contracts on your cv will also put future
clients off because they will read between the lines.

Obviously I realise that, but I don't think it makes much of a difference.

Maybe it does I don't know, but I can't see how.

[Bright Spark]

Obviously I realise that, but I don't think it makes much of a difference.

Maybe it does I don't know, but I can't see how.

It depends on what you do, if your selling yourself as dot-net troubleshooter who goes
in an fixes problems / performance issues with existing apps, then loads of 3 month contracts
on your cv shouldn't be a problem, actually it would be an asset.

[malvolio]

It depends on what you do, if your selling yourself as dot-net troubleshooter who goes
in an fixes problems / performance issues with existing apps, then loads of 3 month contracts
on your cv shouldn't be a problem, actually it would be an asset.

Have to agree with that. A lot of my work is setting up strategic programmes for others to run or fixing things what is broke. Going back to do it again ain't exactly a reccomendation...

However, as regards rate rises mid-contract, my usual reality check applies. The question the man with the money will ask himself is "What additional value has this guy added to justify a rise?". Doing the job very well isn't it, that's what you are being paid for at the agreed rate. You're not a permie on a perferomnce-related scheme, you're a resource on a costed budget to deliver a given "something". You want a rise, you first have to deliver "something" plus.