Newbie

[TheFaQQer]

2. Around £400/day in the south east, a bit more in London, a bit less in the sticks.

That sounds low to me. £400 is more junior developer that I see, not PM material.

[SueEllen]

I certainly don't agree with this. They will negotiate it down but will not waive it. You hand your notice in on Friday afternoon and you expect them to release you by Monday? I don't think so. A shortened period for handover by negotiation depending on resource to hand it over to maybe. A complete waiver on a 3 month notice period? Nah....

I've come across employers who have waived notice periods. Though this varies from employee to employee in the same firm.

However it depends on factors like:
1. If there is another resource to take your place - the more senior and niche you are the less likely.
2. Who you are going to work for - it's very likely you are going to end up with a direct competitor so they won't do that. In fact I know people who have ended up on 3 months garden leave with the threat of being sued if they started work earlier than that.

[SueEllen]

That sounds low to me. £400 is more junior developer that I see, not PM material.

He's a first time contractor and I've seen rates advertised as low as £260 per day for PMs.

If he finds his own contract through connections then obviously he would be able to negiogiate a higher rate.

[TheFaQQer]

I've come across employers who have waived notice periods. Though this varies from employee to employee in the same firm.

Mine begged me not to cut it short. The contract had a clause in it which they had worded the wrong way - instead of saying that they could waive the notice period and let me go, it said that I could waive the requirement to give notice and walk.

They were shocked when I said that they could buy their way out of that clause, though - they just expected me to stay when I had a contract offer.

[TheFaQQer]

He's a first time contractor and I've seen rates advertised as low as £260 per day for PMs.

If he finds his own contract through connections then obviously he would be able to negiogiate a higher rate.

And this is why the OP needs to do some research, rather than jumping into contracting without considering what a reasonable rate is rather than a take the piss rate.

[GazCol]

I certainly don't agree with this. They will negotiate it down but will not waive it. You hand your notice in on Friday afternoon and you expect them to release you by Monday? I don't think so. A shortened period for handover by negotiation depending on resource to hand it over to maybe. A complete waiver on a 3 month notice period? Nah....

Yes waive was the wrong choice of word, negotiate down was intended.

[bracken]

He's a first time contractor and I've seen rates advertised as low as £260 per day for PMs.

If he finds his own contract through connections then obviously he would be able to negiogiate a higher rate.

£400 is around the right mark +/- depending on location - Project Manager Contracts, Contractor Rates for a Project Manager

Being new to contracting though, challenge will be actually getting the position that pays it...agents don't like to take a chance on new people when they've got a drawer full of ones to place that are already known to them to be good and reliable.
B

[mudskipper]

That sounds low to me. £400 is more junior developer that I see, not PM material.

Blimey, you've must work for some rich clients. Junior developer <= £200 day round these parts.

Junior JAVA Developer - Surrey - September-23-2013 (DDTZk) Surrey - £180 / day

[BigRed]

Jobserve/Jobsite/Linkedin seem to provide all my contracts. Update your CV on all three and agents start calling. It took me around 5 months to get my first contract though, and that was short term, but once I got a couple under my belt it seemed easier. As a DBA I find lots of contracts advertised in Leeds, hardly any in Manchester and Sheffield. Rates down South seem to be around 20 -50% more than North. Most agents are looking for someone on the bench at the moment, they don't want people saying that they've decided to renew with their current gig.

All in my own limited (2.5yrs) experience of course but you could say that any experience older than 4-5 years is irrelevant. I wouldn't go back to permanent now, being an old git has nothing to do with it because there is no age discrimination typical permie interview question: 'Where do you see yourself in 5 years?'
'retired or dead.'

[MyUserName]

There are so many variables that it is hard to give you good answers, it is like physical training - my program would probably not suit you as I have specific considerations which would differ to yours.

My first contract (almost 2 years ago)was at £500pd - but I had C++, Investment banking knowledge and years of MFC (which is an older tech so slightly harder to find people for). Even more importantly I realised in the interview that I knew someone on the team so I suggested the interviewer talk to them too, he did and I was recommended.

Previously, I almost got a position paying £650, I got the offer but it was withdrawn when someone better popped up at the last minute - it sucks but that is the way it goes.

I am on a lower rate at my current gig but I am getting to play with the latest version of C++ and it is close to home with good hours (I start at 9, pretty much always home by 6 and take an hour at lunch - try pulling that at Bloomberg!).

So your skills, background, requirements, contacts, interview skill etc. are all going to factor into what you will get and only you know the balance that would make you happy.