Decision time: Deciding whether to switch contracts

[PTP]

As you all know, I conceeded that it's best I assume my current £500/day is inside IR35 (so equal to roughly £375 outside).
* I would have been here 4 months by the time notice period ends if I was to leave.
* A rate cut to £450 is due in 2 months time
* Client thinks there's around 2-3 months work still available.
* I reckon they could easily find someone with the knowledge to replace me, but they've hinted it would take ages to get approval to recruit a contractor even when it's to replace another contractor.

I've been offered a 6 month contract, £550/day
*I reckon this work is miles more in my comfort zone and so I'll have more autonomy
*I don't think its worth leaving current client unless I'm pretty sure the new contract will be outside IR35.
*If client/agency doesn't agree to the contract changes or working practices I request, then I'll up the rate required to around £700.
*I've learnt some of the issues about working practices that should be questioned/agreed before accepting a contract. So I'm not afraid to take my time before accepting this one.

Does (a) the fact the new offer is for a [hopefully] easier job (b) the extra money from being outside IR35 [if things are agreed] (c) the fact the new job is until Sept and the current is until June, mean it would be daft of me to turn down this contract if we came to an agreement. Or is there something I'm forgetting / would you be loyal to existing client in this situation?

Thanks

[Scrag Meister]

Immediate reactions sounds like the new contract is a no brainer, better work content, more money, 3 months more work, that's like £30k more in your company account.

Take the new one. IMHO.

[nomadd]

As you all know, I conceeded that it's best I assume my current £500/day is inside IR35 (so equal to roughly £375 outside).
* I would have been here 4 months by the time notice period ends if I was to leave.
* A rate cut to £450 is due in 2 months time
* Client thinks there's around 2-3 months work still available.
* I reckon they could easily find someone with the knowledge to replace me, but they've hinted it would take ages to get approval to recruit a contractor even when it's to replace another contractor.

I've been offered a 6 month contract, £550/day
*I reckon this work is miles more in my comfort zone and so I'll have more autonomy
*I don't think its worth leaving current client unless I'm pretty sure the new contract will be outside IR35.
*If client/agency doesn't agree to the contract changes or working practices I request, then I'll up the rate required to around £700.
*I've learnt some of the issues about working practices that should be questioned/agreed before accepting a contract. So I'm not afraid to take my time before accepting this one.

Does (a) the fact the new offer is for a [hopefully] easier job (b) the extra money from being outside IR35 [if things are agreed] (c) the fact the new job is until Sept and the current is until June, mean it would be daft of me to turn down this contract if we came to an agreement. Or is there something I'm forgetting / would you be loyal to existing client in this situation?

Thanks

It comes across from your post above that you seem preoccupied with IR35 issues. For contracts as short as those you are talking about here, simply forget IR35. The IR isn't going to waste time chasing you - irrespective of the contract wording - over IR35 issues for such short pieces of work. And I'm saying that as a contractor who has been in the business over 20 years and been through multiple tax inspections. Concentrate your energies on the contracts themselves and what they can do for you longer term.

Oh, and the idea that a client and agent are suddenly going to jump the rate up to your "required" £700 a day in the current market just because you feel the "working practices" aren't perfect is not going to wash, IMHO. I mean, your current client thinks a cut to £450 is in order...

Sure, look at the contract wording, at get it as outside IR35 as you can, but don't let that be your preoccupation in all this.

Please feel free to disagree.

[Support Monkey]

It comes across from your post above that you seem preoccupied with IR35 issues. For contracts as short as those you are talking about here, simply forget IR35. The IR isn't going to waste time chasing you - irrespective of the contract wording - over IR35 issues for such short pieces of work. And I'm saying that as a contractor who has been in the business over 20 years and been through multiple tax inspections. Concentrate your energies on the contracts themselves and what they can do for you longer term.

Oh, and the idea that a client and agent are suddenly going to jump the rate up to your "required" £700 a day in the current market just because you feel the "working practices" aren't perfect is not going to wash, IMHO. I mean, your current client thinks a cut to £450 is in order...

Sure, look at the contract wording, at get it as outside IR35 as you can, but don't let that be your preoccupation in all this.

Please feel free to disagree.

Got to agree with that, of course you have to take IR35 into consideration and try and make yourself as outside as possible but don't get hooked up on every detail and its not just the contract its the working practises so you could have perfect contract but fail working practises,

[TheFaQQer]

*If client/agency doesn't agree to the contract changes or working practices I request, then I'll up the rate required to around £700.

[jmo21]

PTP has to be trolling with patter like that?!?!

[nomadd]

PTP has to be trolling with patter like that?!?!

I don't think so. I think he's simply deluded.

Still, no doubt we'll see a subsequent post claiming the contract was perfectly outside IR35 and he got the £700 a day just by virtue of asking. Only then will we know he's a troll.