Contract Extension versus New contract - Help !

[thescotsman]

Hi,

I have just been offered a 3 month extension at the place I am contracted to and have been for the last 12 months.
I have also been made a potential offer for another contract that will probably extend to a year's worth of work and also something that will suit my skills more closely, this contract is not rock solid yet and I have signed nothing.
My problem is I have had the agents on the phone asking if I want to extend or not and to be honest I'm not sure how to reply, do I be completely honest and tell them I have another offer and want to weigh my options up ???? Don't want to end up losing both

Any advice or anyone been in this situation ?

Thanks

[JamJarST]

You need to honest with yourself, you only have one offer at the moment. IMHO you need to either take the extension and forget about the other possible contract, or decline the extension and hope the other one comes along.

[GillsMan]

You need to honest with yourself, you only have one offer at the moment. IMHO you need to either take the extension and forget about the other possible contract, or decline the extension and hope the other one comes along.

Or you could tell the agent you have another offer. It may work as leverege and you may find that you have a rate extension.

If you're good at what you do (and to have gotten an extension, I'm assuming your client believes you are), then I find it unlikely they'll can you just for stalling on an offer. Don't stall too long though.

[northernladuk]

Bearing in mind you have given us absolutely no tangible facts we can work with to help you with this i.e. location, rates etc it seems pretty black and white this one.

Take the extension. As mentioned you don't have a contract until the ink is dry and even then they can bin you in reception in the first day.

Now if one pays much more and is closer then we have a different situation... but you haven't given us that option.

[thescotsman]

The rates are about 40 pounds better a day
The location is the same city
The project will extend longer than the current work I am doing
I have worked at this place before and am getting back in with no interview, just on my previous work standards.
They are well known for dragging their heels on getting contracts done

I think it's more down to timing, a week earlier and this would have been easy, but I take on board what you are saying, I only have one real contract in my hand

[eek]

The rates are about 40 pounds better a day
The location is the same city
The project will extend longer than the current work I am doing
I have worked at this place before and am getting back in with no interview, just on my previous work standards.
They are well known for dragging their heels on getting contracts done

I think it's more down to timing, a week earlier and this would have been easy, but I take on board what you are saying, I only have one real contract in my hand

So go back state to the potential client remind them you are interested but they really need to pull their finger out.

simples

[Wanderer]

I have had the agents on the phone asking if I want to extend or not and to be honest I'm not sure how to reply

"Thank you for your offer, can you please send me the new contract paperwork for review". Notice I didn't say I'll accept it.

If the other job offer comes up then tell the agent you've been offered £40/day extra and can they match the offer. If you are feeling bold then say that anyway.

Also ask them how much margin they are taking on this contract. After a year in one place they can probably cut their margin to give you a pay rise.

Also, if the alternative contract is known for dragging it's heels then they won't mind waiting for you to work out 4 weeks notice - if the other offer comes up you can terminate early.