Dealing with Day Rate disclosure requests.

[Contractoid]

I am finding it getting increasingly more commonplace being asked for disclosure of my current / previous day rates. This is not just for the most recent one but also up to as much as 5 years history! I find this to be quite irritating and actually completely irrelevant Each contract is unique and i’ll accept a range of rates depending on commuting, client name, length of contract etc.

Secondly just because i’m a one man band why does that mean I should disclose my day rate when even a small consultancy would never dream of disclosing their negotiated day rates for one client with another!

If I am asked I normally name the rate i’m after or else if its a request for my day rate history I simply write “Confidential” in the form and its never been a problem. I have heard however of some Agencies and Clients insisting on this information – flipping cheek! What are others experience / views on this?

[BigTime]

I am finding it getting increasingly more commonplace being asked for disclosure of my current / previous day rates. This is not just for the most recent one but also up to as much as 5 years history! I find this to be quite irritating and actually completely irrelevant Each contract is unique and i’ll accept a range of rates depending on commuting, client name, length of contract etc.

Secondly just because i’m a one man band why does that mean I should disclose my day rate when even a small consultancy would never dream of disclosing their negotiated day rates for one client with another!

If I am asked I normally name the rate i’m after or else if its a request for my day rate history I simply write “Confidential” in the form and its never been a problem. I have heard however of some Agencies and Clients insisting on this information – flipping cheek! What are others experience / views on this?

They always ask what your current rate is and I'll tell them so they know what I'll find acceptable. However it is none of their business and lots of other contractors I've spoken to wont disclose this information. In giving this information, I expect to find out their margin in return.

[kingcook]

If the agency insists on the information, insist that you will go via another agency.

If a client (going direct i assume?) insists, you can either lie or tell them to p155 off.

[northernladuk]

Tell em you have an NDA with all your previous clients and agents so cannot tell them

[cojak]

I don't tell them, they've never insisted as they know it's none of their business (seriously).

I added 20% on my current day rate from the previous one to cover future loss of expenses.

If they did insist I'd tell them that it was exactly the same as the one I'm applying for and let them prove otherwise.

[bobspud]

It's a good way to get the professional day conversation out of the way.

Agent asks what I am on. I say <lower day rate> but that excludes pro-rata OT after 37 hours and travel costs. If you want a longer professional day and no OT claims then I expect <higher daily rate>

Sorted...

Personally I have NEVER been asked more than my current day rate so maybe agents are asking you because they think they can.

[BolshieBastard]

I always ask them what the client is prepared to pay first.

Then I tell them that rate plus a bit more is 'within my ball park figure' for the role.

If they then ask what my current rate is, depending how I feel I'll say about the same as the rate on offer or a little bit more than the rate on offer.

As with any pricing though, you risk pricing yourself out of the role since other contractors cough their rate no problem or put themselves forward for too low a rate. IMHO.

[Contractoid]

If the agency insists on the information, insist that you will go via another agency.

If a client (going direct i assume?) insists, you can either lie or tell them to p155 off.

I like your style!

I had one direct client get a strop on about this due to HR "policy" - the usual permanent employment thinking bleeding over. Quite frankly I think everyone (contractor or permie) should tell Agencies or Companies to bugger off on this point.

[Contractoid]

Tell em you have an NDA with all your previous clients and agents so cannot tell them

Yer Yer Yer. I'm going to have you for harrasment at this rate!

[bobspud]

As with any pricing though, you risk pricing yourself out of the role since other contractors cough their rate no problem or put themselves forward for too low a rate. IMHO.

I have a mate that turned that round on me. I tend to stick with my optimum rate and am happy to miss work opportunities through other guys cutting their own throats for the work. But he said "I charge £450 a day as an engineer and when its quiet and I want to work I charge £275 because £275 might be crap but its not my war chest..."