Availability of Contracts >=500 p/d

[Peter Loew]

I am hearing mixed things about what kind of rate is realistic in this kind of market. Assume a well rounded Project Manager (10 yrs exp.) and currently in a relatively niche area who is coming onto the bench.

The good news is that I've been getting quite a few phone calls without really applying anywhere, and two of these so far have lead to offers, one of which (if you follow my posts) has gone away. One was at 450p/d and that's the one that's disappeared, and the other at 500p/d and is pending. Also have a pending interview for a role at 430p/d. I've been contracting for about 4 years now, about the time I've been on this forum

I've met contractors, many of which have a ten year advantage in life over me, who are specialists in their fields and yet still earn around 500/pd ish, others earn around 750p/d ish. And yet others still have set up their own shop within the client area to undercut all the big boys and make a small fortune doing it.

Then, I've met the odd developer, nothing special, Java / Mobile Apps Dev etc., maybe 30 ish years old and usually an Aussie, who get rates of at least 500p/d.

What are your thoughts on this and what do you think the market is currently like for rates >= 500p/d?

P

[BolshieBastard]

I am hearing mixed things about what kind of rate is realistic in this kind of market. Assume a well rounded Project Manager (10 yrs exp.) and currently in a relatively niche area who is coming onto the bench.

The good news is that I've been getting quite a few phone calls without really applying anywhere, and two of these so far have lead to offers, one of which (if you follow my posts) has gone away. One was at 450p/d and that's the one that's disappeared, and the other at 500p/d and is pending. Also have a pending interview for a role at 430p/d. I've been contracting for about 4 years now, about the time I've been on this forum

I've met contractors, many of which have a ten year advantage in life over me, who are specialists in their fields and yet still earn around 500/pd ish, others earn around 750p/d ish. And yet others still have set up their own shop within the client area to undercut all the big boys and make a small fortune doing it.

Then, I've met the odd developer, nothing special, Java / Mobile Apps Dev etc., maybe 30 ish years old and usually an Aussie, who get rates of at least 500p/d.

What are your thoughts on this and what do you think the market is currently like for rates >= 500p/d?

P

They're bulltulipting you. There's a recession just finished although the economy is still very sluggish. People will tell you they are on 500 a day because they dont want to tell you they are actually on a far lower rate.

[Old Greg]

I am hearing mixed things about what kind of rate is realistic in this kind of market. Assume a well rounded Project Manager (10 yrs exp.) and currently in a relatively niche area who is coming onto the bench.

The good news is that I've been getting quite a few phone calls without really applying anywhere, and two of these so far have lead to offers, one of which (if you follow my posts) has gone away. One was at 450p/d and that's the one that's disappeared, and the other at 500p/d and is pending. Also have a pending interview for a role at 430p/d. I've been contracting for about 4 years now, about the time I've been on this forum

I've met contractors, many of which have a ten year advantage in life over me, who are specialists in their fields and yet still earn around 500/pd ish, others earn around 750p/d ish. And yet others still have set up their own shop within the client area to undercut all the big boys and make a small fortune doing it.

Then, I've met the odd developer, nothing special, Java / Mobile Apps Dev etc., maybe 30 ish years old and usually an Aussie, who get rates of at least 500p/d.

What are your thoughts on this and what do you think the market is currently like for rates >= 500p/d?

P

Peter, I can only speak for the healthcare market, NHS and IT suppliers, and I don't see those rates any more, but I'm more worried about finding a contract than getting the right rate at the moment. Hoping that some of it at least is the summer lull, but I can't see it returning to the way things were in September.

OG

[stillooking]

The sort of figures that you mentioned for a developer are very much on the high side, perhaps it's a hot skill that they have, however as I often see the sort of rates that companies/orgs pay for these people then it does lead me to think that the people you've been speaking to are not telling the truth.

if you're getting calls as a PM, then it sounds promising, because that's a v.competitive field at the moment. The rates are not averaging at £500/day unless it's niche/big project/a small agency not having to deal with PSL's etc.

[Not So Wise]

These days outside of financial >500 per day is the exception not the norm

[rsingh]

These days outside of financial >500 per day is the exception not the norm

WHS

Unless you are in London, you will have to travel for these rates. 500 pd in IB is pretty much the norm for experienced developers.

[Joe90]

this thread makes me feel cheap!

Can't wait to have a few years eperience!

[nomadd]

I am hearing mixed things about what kind of rate is realistic in this kind of market.

How long is a piece of string..?

As other's have said, in IB, you'd be looking for a minimum of £500 / day. And if you were experienced, that would be a poor rate, in all honesty. In other areas, £500 / day would be top whack, no matter how experienced you are.

[d000hg]

WHS

Unless you are in London, you will have to travel for these rates. 500 pd in IB is pretty much the norm for experienced developers.

Yes, a couple of the banking big boys have been advertising in the £500-700 range for developers recently, but I've noticed nothing else so high.

If you're interested I assume you can set up a saved search in jobserve for every contract over £500/d, just to see what jobs these are.

[MarillionFan]

The £500+ range is rare.

As someone above said, if you're hearing this you're being bulltulipted. I've always been surprised by how some contractors need to inflate their rate to others.

If the truth be known £300 per day is a good contract rate, compared to it's perm equivalent and other jobs.