Temporary one off job on top of current gig. need advice.

[platforminc]

Hi All,

After having done some work for a client sometime last week on a 2 week stint, one week at a time. They have come back to me saying another of their client is looking for a virtual role and also one where I will have to come in either once a month or once every two weeks. They have asked me for a quote, the first role they sent me was working from home 90% of the time, I only had to visit site once on the first day.

Now whilst they say virtual for this role as well with some site visits once every month or once every 2 weeks, they are asking for a quote. Currently with an IB and despite the rate cut, I had still prefer to stay in the sector. I would want to know what kind of rate one should quote, I mentioned a rate higher than my current rate to start with, mentioning the word “I’m flexible”. However I don’t want to jeapadise my current gig which still has 6 months left for a once in a blue moon role. For argument and example sake, lets say my current rate is 400, what should one go in at ?

I have just sent an email to the agent asking him how long is the requirement likely to be for. From what I see from the spec, we looking at 2 weeks +, obviously I could get to the client and they can then say they want a bit more, as the role involves setting things up, testing, documenting, and knowledge sharing.

Thanks in advance.

[Liamxtype]

I mentioned a rate higher than my current rate to start with, mentioning the word “I’m flexible”.

I may have misunderstood this, but if you've already given your rate, that's what the client/agent will offer you.

[platforminc]

I ran an indicative figure of the of rates, and used the word (I'm flexible) and I diddnt want to commit to anything until I got more information on what the role is as about first.

He then gave the impression that the rate was rather on the high side.

[kingcook]

I ran an indicative figure of the of rates, and used the word (I'm flexible) and I diddnt want to commit to anything until I got more information on what the role is as about first.

He then gave the impression that the rate was rather on the high side.

The words "I'm flexible" (when referring to rate) to the client means that you're will to DROP the rate, i'd say.

[Gentile]

Hi All,

After having done some work for a client sometime last week on a 2 week stint, one week at a time. They have come back to me saying another of their client is looking for a virtual role and also one where I will have to come in either once a month or once every two weeks. They have asked me for a quote, the first role they sent me was working from home 90% of the time, I only had to visit site once on the first day.

Now whilst they say virtual for this role as well with some site visits once every month or once every 2 weeks, they are asking for a quote. Currently with an IB and despite the rate cut, I had still prefer to stay in the sector. I would want to know what kind of rate one should quote, I mentioned a rate higher than my current rate to start with, mentioning the word “I’m flexible”. However I don’t want to jeapadise my current gig which still has 6 months left for a once in a blue moon role. For argument and example sake, lets say my current rate is 400, what should one go in at ?

I have just sent an email to the agent asking him how long is the requirement likely to be for. From what I see from the spec, we looking at 2 weeks +, obviously I could get to the client and they can then say they want a bit more, as the role involves setting things up, testing, documenting, and knowledge sharing.

Thanks in advance.

FWIW, shorter duration = higher day rate in my book. I'll give people a discount (generally dropping by about £10-20 pd for each full month), both because of the economies of scale and predictable short-term cash flow for me, and because clients that request 6-9 months as a block to get a whole project seen through have usually planned better than clients who take things a week at a time, and are consequently easier to help.

I'd be requesting a higher daily rate (which is still a lower overall cost to the end user) for the once-in-a-blue-moon gig, because I know that people who think they only need you occasionally usually take up far more of your time than they believe, and I'd rather account for that at the outset than have to fall out about it later on when they're actually calling you every week and asking if you'll come in at weekends to help them out with an emergency. It's the old 80/20 rule; a lot of businesses find that clients that only account for 20% of their turnover take up 80% of their time, and it's part of your job as a business owner to make sure that doesn't happen. On average, my once-in-a-blue-moon day rate is about three times my every-weekday-for-six-months rate.

[Murder1]

On average, my once-in-a-blue-moon day rate is about three times my every-weekday-for-six-months rate.

[AnthonyQuinn]

For argument and example sake, lets say my current rate is 400, what should one go in at ?

600

[SarahL2012]

shorter duration = higher day rate in my book

shorter duration = higher day rate in my book

Completely agree. I'm always clear with agencies that I need to understand what the work involves, timescales, location etc before I quote a price. When they call with one of their general 'what rate are you charging these days' type conversations I quote a range of day rates rather than giving them just one figure.

[platforminc]

shorter duration = higher day rate in my book

Completely agree. I'm always clear with agencies that I need to understand what the work involves, timescales, location etc before I quote a price. When they call with one of their general 'what rate are you charging these days' type conversations I quote a range of day rates rather than giving them just one figure.

Thanks everyone. I gave two rates, one for onsite work and the other for working remotely. The latter option rather more cheaper than the former.

Thanks.