Rate question

[Solidec]

Start acting like a business, you get to negotiate rates when you deal with the agent or client (depending if you go direct or not).

Do your research, know what the market is paying and what your skills are worth and you would not be in this position!

If you are happy, stop being greedy!

Its clear you aren't if you are on this forum looking for ways to angle for an increase!

Take into consideration the current economic climate, the clients business position and whether at renewal you are in a position to walk away if they are not offering something you are happy with.

[TheFaQQer]

Funniest thing I've read for a long while...

Some agencies put it in there as standard - IIRC, it's a Computer People favourite.

Mind you, they also have a clause in their standard contract which prohibits you from slagging off the agency to the client - if you do and they lose the gig, they will try to hold you liable for their loss!

Whether either of these is enforceable, I doubt.

[BrilloPad]

Hello all, long time lurker, just registered.

Quick question for the seasoned contractors among us...

I have started a contract a couple of months back, doing the same job as a fellow contractor. We started at the same time. Great chap, we get on very well, and over a pint, we discussed rates. He is getting £130 more pd at the moment, doing the same job as me.

Now I am thinking that I should have sold myself better to start with, but even at this moment in time, is it worth me mentioning it to the employer and trying to get them ot match the rate? I am fairly young and new to this game, only contracting for 2 years and the rate is good to start with.

The contract is due to finish in a couple of months and an extension is likely.

Cheers and thanks! :-)

I have been known to lie about my rate : maybe your mate did too?

If true : try to find out if the pimp is getting the extra or client paying less.

[Scotchpie]

Well I successfully renegotiated my rate at the last extension - but I didn't go mad. There were two reasons for the increase:

1. I had been working there for 6 months on a new project. As such I was familiar with the project and knew the history of its development. I was familiar with their systems and documentation and all the key personel the project was set up to serve. All of this would need to be taught/learnt by a newbie coming in fresh (and who would be charging no less than what I was asking for).

2. I had increased my reponsibility to include software development (which they didn't realise they needed until I started doing some work on it ).

I'm on an hourly rate and as said didn't go mad with the increase. IMHO asking for a £150 pd increase is going to take a lot of backing up.

[ratewhore]

Some agencies put it in there as standard - IIRC, it's a Computer People favourite.

Mind you, they also have a clause in their standard contract which prohibits you from slagging off the agency to the client - if you do and they lose the gig, they will try to hold you liable for their loss!

Whether either of these is enforceable, I doubt.

Yeah, it's usually there in mine too. Might as well have a clause stating I won't scratch my arse in the office...

[BuGsBuNnY]

There is always one hollier than thou everywhere isn't it...

I 'd like you to show me how to do research please. My PhD and publications were all in vain. Thank god you are here. Have you got any spare time?

Obviously, my work is undervalued at the moment. I don't mind, however, I wouldn't mind a bit more either. If that makes me greedy to your eyes, let me get my violin out.

As I said before the client is in a position to allow for said rate hike. I shall be asking for it at renewal, alternatively I will walk to the next contract. I have no problems with either.

To everyone else who contributed, many thanks!

Start acting like a business, you get to negotiate rates when you deal with the agent or client (depending if you go direct or not).

Do your research, know what the market is paying and what your skills are worth and you would not be in this position!

If you are happy, stop being greedy!

Its clear you aren't if you are on this forum looking for ways to angle for an increase!

Take into consideration the current economic climate, the clients business position and whether at renewal you are in a position to walk away if they are not offering something you are happy with.

[Cyberman]

Look at it on the bright side. If they cut staff and your skills are equal, who will they dump ? The cheap contractor or the expensive contractor.

[expat]

Look at it on the bright side. If they cut staff and your skills are equal, who will they dump ? The cheap contractor or the expensive contractor.

IME they will probably display the clients' unerring instinct for making the wrong choice. Enlightened self-interest is a train still waiting to arrive.