Go for it or not..

[ITContractorUK]

I have a permanent position which pays 47k per year.
I would really like to go down the contract route and have now been offered a contract worth £300/day for a initial 6 month contract.
I know that the market is really though now for contract software developers so I feel it might be the wrong time to switch.

What do you experienced contractors say, is it a good time to go for it? ? Any feedback is appreciated.

[Fred Bloggs]

No, that's £33k for 22 weeks work (I work on 44 weeks a year paid). Not enough in this market unless you have the same again in savings to live off, you may need to.

[BlasterBates]

Is it close to home, if not remember travel expenses, budget for a grand a month, and check you're not IR35. If both of those probably not worth it.

Add up how much better off you really are going to be, in Accounting and Legal there is a thread which will give you the numbers.

http://forums.contractoruk.com/accou...composite.html

Approx. 50 grand take home outside IR35 no travelling expenses.

[ITContractorUK]

The contract position was 50 min drive away so I turned it down.
Have decided to wait another year before I start contracting. Hopefully the market will look a bit better then.
Thanks for your input guys.

[Clippy]

The contract position was 50 min drive away so I turned it down.
Have decided to wait another year before I start contracting. Hopefully the market will look a bit better then.
Thanks for your input guys.

Finally, a newbie with some common sense who listens to good (free) advice.

[Fred Bloggs]

The contract position was 50 min drive away so I turned it down.
Have decided to wait another year before I start contracting. Hopefully the market will look a bit better then.
Thanks for your input guys.

Well done, good move. It is too risky right now for taking a shortish job on a lowish rate.

[MrMark]

The contract position was 50 min drive away so I turned it down.
Have decided to wait another year before I start contracting. Hopefully the market will look a bit better then.
Thanks for your input guys.

You're hardly contractor material, despite your id. A lot of contractors would die for a role less than 80 minutes journey time from home. But good luck in your permie role, 47k sounds like a good salary when it's guaranteed year-in, year-out.

[ITContractorUK]

I wouldn't say that I am not contract material just because I thought 50 min away for that rate wasn't worth it.
If the rate had been better or the contract longer I would probably have gone for it..

[BlasterBates]

There will be other contracts.

Just make sure you know how much you´ll be better off by when you make the decision.

The market seems to be a bit iffy at the moment, though on the whole I think it´s improving.

[Wanderer]

I have a permanent position which pays 47k per year.
offered a contract worth £300/day for a initial 6 month contract.

47k per year = 47 / hour contract = 350/day. Don't jump for less than that.

As you say, you have to consider commuting time too.