Client wants to go direct.

[Bomber]

Hi,

I'm contracting thru an agency and the client wants to extend again. I said I wasn't happy with the rate so the client wants to bypass the agency. I know their contract may not allow this but they think they can get round this and my contract doesn't say anything on those lines.

I'm thinking the client might want me to stay for a while. I'm going to get the help of another body when drawing up a contract but I was wondering how long can you keep renewing an x month contract before hector starts to shout about IR35, even if the contract wasn't caught at the start?

Cheers

[StarBuck]

Exactly the same situation I’m in. Agency has p*ssed off the client, so they want me direct. Two other contractors here go direct so they are comfortable with that arrangements. We’re meeting in the middle of the agency margin, which was substantial, so a nice rise for my company

Wrt IR35, if you have a business-to-business relationship reflected in both working practices and the contract, you can renew for eternity. The problem you may face is avoiding becoming part-and-parcel of the business if you’ve been there for say, 5 years.