Do/Should you always accept extensions?!

[nomadd]

The projects I work on generally last a couple of years so I'm happy to accept extensions until the project ends. After that I don't accept any extensions.

It's all about the project.

This^

But, unfortunately, for us contractors, it's also about the people. I've worked in one or two places over the years where I've simply turned down extension offers as I couldn't stand the anti-contractor attitude of some (all?) of the management team. Managers who suddenly realise they can't walk all over you because you are a contractor are the prime example of this phenomena.

So, for me at least, it's Project + People.

[Scoobos]

I used to take extensions all the way up to 2 years - then I'd move on.

I felt the value of doing this is it makes it clear that your clients have been happy with you and you have succeeded.

In more recent times (my contract before last) I renewed all the time for nearly 2 years but really wish I hadn't - the task was advertised as needing many more skills than I was actually using and I was going stale fast.

I've just took on a new one, and its again like deception - I'm filling out spreadsheets , my skills are dying .. I'll probably go after the first term.

[curtis]

What is the consensus of opinion, do you like to stay in a comfort zone which you have fostered, or do you like to break into something new?

Apart from a few times where the job was terrible I have always taken a renewal due to feeling I 'should' to keep myself working rather than because I really want too.

Due to not liking to be anywhere too long I would 99% of the time like to move on unfortunately that small presuure of keeping myself in work makes me most of the time accept it.

I'm hoping in a few years once my financial situation is more comfortable that won't be the case and I can just go if thats what I would rather do. Its annoying that renewals/no breaks in CV's matters so much to clients/agencies when we are contractors and have no control over how long a client needs us.

[jmo21]

I have always extended when offered.

I have never had a really bad contract though, whether skillset, people involved, travel being tough etc.

So I guess I've been lucky.

I've had a couple that have got a little boring towards the end, and they wanted a bit of extra work done.

My feeling however is that I always would prefer to leave the client happy. If this means accepting a last minute extension, so be it.

Even if it is their disorganisation, you'll get bitched about/blamed etc at client co if you didn't renew.

I know you'll get blamed for stuff anyway even if an extensions not offered, but I prefer to minimise that kind of thing as best I can.

And even I wouldn't go back to a company again, there's always a chance you'll meet those permies at some other job in the future.

Each to their own of course on mitigating this risk. Some may this is a really overcautious way to go about it.

[lukemg]

I take them if offered unless there is a better offer about or the place/location is grim. This is mostly cos I am lazy and has led to me staying in some collosally dull situations....

[curtis]

I take them if offered unless there is a better offer about or the place/location is grim. This is mostly cos I am lazy and has led to me staying in some collosally dull situations

Excactly the same and then I end up staying when like I said I don't really want to and then I start getting bored it gets repetative and I get more fed up then you can end up getting in that circle of getting lazy and despite knowing you need to move on you just keep taking the extensions as its easier if they are offered and still feeling fed up.

[MarillionFan]

The projects I work on generally last a couple of years so I'm happy to accept extensions until the project ends. After that I don't accept any extensions.

And in my last contract I left when the project got canned (a month after accepting a 3rd extension).

It's all about the project.

It depends on what you are doing. Pre-1997 - late 2006 I racked up 30 different contracts, mostly doing technical stuff/training. There were extensions & those were mainly when I was the lead / managing a project. Development was exactly that, finish it and bugger off.

From late 2006 to present date I have done just 5. (In truth just 3, as two contracts were part-time & concurrent development gigs to keep my hand in). For these I've been more Manager or BA and so tend to get rolled on to new projects as they come along & retained for inherent knowledge of the people, processes & systems.

To the OP, I normally accept extensions. It's like a comfortable pair of shoes after a while. Better to stick with them until they wear out then buy a new pair and find them uncomfortable. As I have now have dependents I am more likely to stick my head down and carry on than go out in a blaze of glory(as much as I would like to).

[Notascooby]

I'm two years in, so not exactly much of a track record. First project I extended and then terminated early to jump to another project which had a fixed end-date, current contract I've extended and would love to let it roll as the location is good, the role interesting enough, the pressure low and atmosphere relaxed.

If it hadn't been for the 10% cut it would be perfect.

Due to an increase in pipeline, this gig is stealing a lot of perm resource jumping to contract from another company that pay much better rates so there's a chance of being tempted out of the comfort zone in a few months as that company will need to back fill.

[scooby]

My last gig was the first I've refused extension on. Horrid place to work etc, project dying on its arse!

I've left one place off my own back, but that was due to me taking a perm role and it was 2.4yrs in and I was working 3 days per week.

This place I seem to be contracted to project, not time. So project ends, off goes Scooby! New project, I have choice to take it or not...

[dynamicsaxcontractor]

How many days/weeks before contract is ending do you give the client to renew before signing up elsewhere?

I always tell the client that as soon as they know they need to extend to sort it out even with months left, and makes a hint with about a month to go. When it comes down to the last 2-3 weeks and another offer comes up - I normally take this as an extension should already been in place if the client wants me.