Cake and eat it - Some advice please

[thunderlizard]

That's as good a decision as any. I find it odd that you've been in contract on a good rate for 13 years, yet see the prospect of any bench time at all as a "risk". I can only assume you've got huge entrenched outgoings. Maybe save a bit up during the course of this renewal so that you don't feel like it's walk-straight-into-a-new-contract-or-die.

[waccoe]

That's as good a decision as any. I find it odd that you've been in contract on a good rate for 13 years, yet see the prospect of any bench time at all as a "risk". I can only assume you've got huge entrenched outgoings. Maybe save a bit up during the course of this renewal so that you don't feel like it's walk-straight-into-a-new-contract-or-die.

I haven't had any bench time at all in 17 years contracting, always gone from one contract straight into the next, not even a few days inbetween, so perhaps I've just been spoilt. No huge outgoings, and have more than enough saved up to keep me going for quite some time, I'd just be kicking myself if I didn't renew, and was then on the bench for 6 months. It's probably not very likely, just would rather have something else lined up before I put myself out of work.

[escapeUK]

I'd just be kicking myself if I didn't renew, and was then on the bench for 6 months. It's probably not very likely, just would rather have something else lined up before I put myself out of work.

But being out of work with plenty of money is brilliant!! Think of it as a mini retirement.

If I was contracting for 17 years id almost be a millionaire now.

[VectraMan]

But being out of work with plenty of money is brilliant!! Think of it as a mini retirement.

WHS. If I'd been contracting non-stop for 17 years, I'd be thinking of retiring, or at least going on a long holiday for a month or six.

[Fred Bloggs]

WHS. If I'd been contracting non-stop for 17 years, I'd be thinking of retiring, or at least going on a long holiday for a month or six.

Yep, after 17 years on a good rate I'd be finished working full time and just picking the odd job that I fancied doing if it suited me.

[BolshieBastard]

Good job the OP has insurance in place (if indeed the insurer hasnt got some sneaky get out clause!) cos there's no way on earth an HMRC IR35 investigation wouldnt find him caught after 13 years at the same client, even if a contract review says he's outside.

TBH, I think he should stay cos any agent is going to look on him as a 'permie' just going contracting for the first time. Plus, if his skillset is getting 'old' as he says, he could be looking a long time for another role.

[nomadd]

Yep, after 17 years on a good rate I'd be finished working full time and just picking the odd job that I fancied doing if it suited me.

I've been contracting 22 years and say that to myself every year. Never happens, though. The lure of contracting gold is just too much.

Mind you, I do take long breaks off between contracts, so I guess that counts.

[ChimpMaster]

Yep, after 17 years on a good rate I'd be finished working full time and just picking the odd job that I fancied doing if it suited me.

I've been contracting 22 years and say that to myself every year. Never happens, though. The lure of contracting gold is just too much.

Mind you, I do take long breaks off between contracts, so I guess that counts.

I guess it partly depends on one's outgoings and whether you have allowed yourself to become accustomed to a more expensive lifestyle. It's quite easy to say that you would retire after x years' of contracting, but what if you start spending more or buy a bigger house, or perhaps you aren't married yet and don't yet have kids?

When I was younger (and single) I had planned to be semi-retired by 35. The plan was to have my one BTL property all paid off, and a couple of other smaller investments, so that I would have about £1,000 a month coming in without having to work. I then got married, bought a bigger house, had a couple of kids, and now suddenly I need more like £5,000 a month to maintain this lifestyle (which includes planning for the kids' school/uni fees etc). So that'll keep me on the treadmill for a lot longer.

[ChimpMaster]

You've been there 13 years. You're effectively an employee and I wouldn't call you a 'contractor' in the terms that we understand it.
...

That's the kind of comment an uneducated agent would make.

Multiple renewals = good business. If you were a supplier in any other field, would you dump a customer just because you had done business with them for 'too long'?

So why should it be any different for an I.T. consultancy?

[curtis]

13 YEARS!!!!!

I don't know whether to congratulate you on getting a contract for that long on contractors money or to think your mad for being there so long as a contractor!

Also the fact you've been working this way with no notice period, so as long as I have it right that has meant you have to stay the whole term of the contract and could not leave, that is mad to me!! I know there is a lot of debate with tax as to whether its good to have a notice period or not but to have a year contract each time with no notice period there is no way I would!

Good on you though if this has worked out for you but like others have said as you have been working that long and have the money, take a break. Another job will come up and a change of scenery is good otherwise you do start feeling more trapped and you could find this time next year saying 'just one more year' and so on and then before you know it it would have been 20 years and even harder to leave.

More to life than work.