high agents cut

[stacks]

I'm hopefully moving on to a new contract next month but I just stumbled across a spreadsheet detailing every contractor’s rates and durations and found the agency I'm through takes 21.5%.

Now I know all the arguments about "you accepted the rate so it's irrelevant what they take" but IMO that’s one hell of a cut they are taking because at my last 2 gigs it was more like 10%. If I end up staying here I'll be trying very hard to claw some of that back!

What’s the norm for this type of thing, is 10% good, 11-15% the norm and 20%+ just taking the pi..

[gingerjedi]

There's a good reason why agents are still well stocked with cigars, whisky and brylcreem whilst contractors are sat at home.

I'm sure an agent will be along in a minute to tell you he's worth it.

[Growernotashower]

8-13% is norm in on a pre tendered framework or a PSL with an agreed length of time to be on that framework/PSL. i.e. you know how much you are going to get from the client in terms of numbers on site and turnover/profit

15-20% is norm for were the work is a one off with the client or low volume at least. i.e. you have no idea if the client will have another need for the next 2 years.

Very similar to the different rates contractors give when you say " role is only for 4 weeks so my rate is £500 " or "ok, role is for 6mths with poss further 6mths, so my rate is £460". In plain speak £500 'cause I'll need to be lookingn again shortly or £460 'cause over that length of time I can stock the war chest even on a lower rate.

[malvolio]

I've said it before, I'll say it again - you get a cut of the agent's fee, not the other way round. If you want a higher percentage then learn to haggle or find your own work.

And yes you did agree to work for a rate.

Finally 20% is high but not unrealsitic. There's not that much work out there, everyone needs to earn what they can where they can.

[The Agents View]

I'm hopefully moving on to a new contract next month but I just stumbled across a spreadsheet detailing every contractor’s rates and durations and found the agency I'm through takes 21.5%.

Now I know all the arguments about "you accepted the rate so it's irrelevant what they take" but IMO that’s one hell of a cut they are taking because at my last 2 gigs it was more like 10%. If I end up staying here I'll be trying very hard to claw some of that back!

What’s the norm for this type of thing, is 10% good, 11-15% the norm and 20%+ just taking the pi..

10% is not financially viable unless the company has 30+ contractors on 1 site.

I'd say 13 - 20% is the norm, 20%-25% is top end, and 25% plus is taking the P.

That said, if you are a £200 per day contractor, then 25% would be about right (£66 per day).

You may also be working this out wrong. The recruitment industry works on a margin basis, not mark up.

Margin: total rate - if you get 80% then the margin is 20%

mark up: If their total charge is 21.5% on top of your rate, then you're in at about 16% (which is very reasonable) if so, stop moaning, get on with your job, stop worrying about everyone else, and be grateful you've got a contract.

And by the way - the agent isn't taking 21.5% of your rate - you're taking 78.5% of his/hers.......

[stek]

And by the way - the agent isn't taking 21.5% of your rate - you're taking 78.5% of his/hers.......

What?

[stacks]

FYI there are 20+ people on site
I am in the mid 400 a day bracket
I have worked it out correctly

And by the way - the agent isn't taking 21.5% of your rate - you're taking 78.5% of his/hers....... you really sound like the type of fella I'd like to do business with

10% is not financially viable unless the company has 30+ contractors on 1 site.

I'd say 13 - 20% is the norm, 20%-25% is top end, and 25% plus is taking the P.

That said, if you are a £200 per day contractor, then 25% would be about right (£66 per day).

You may also be working this out wrong. The recruitment industry works on a margin basis, not mark up.

Margin: total rate - if you get 80% then the margin is 20%

mark up: If their total charge is 21.5% on top of your rate, then you're in at about 16% (which is very reasonable) if so, stop moaning, get on with your job, stop worrying about everyone else, and be grateful you've got a contract.

And by the way - the agent isn't taking 21.5% of your rate - you're taking 78.5% of his/hers.......

[gingerjedi]

Transparency is whats needed, I'm pretty sure Wayne Rooney knows how much his agent gets.

And I bet his agent doesn't think himself more important than his client.

[Growernotashower]

The wholesale price for a packet of four Gillette Fusion razor blades is £3.52. They are being sold by Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury’s at exactly for £7.96.

[BolshieBastard]

And by the way - the agent isn't taking 21.5% of your rate - you're taking 78.5% of his/hers.......

So, the agent gets 100% of the fee if there's no contractor working the job then?

**** off with that one, matey.

Some of you lot are real *****.

Had one of your kind phone me up today. Agent: 'Oh while you were working at so and so, did you work for Don Smith?'

Me; 'Nope.'

Agent; 'Oh really? Who did you work with?'

Me; Click, brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.