How long before expiry is it normal for the client to start talking about renewal?

[russell]

4 weeks to go, email the agency to get things started.

3 weeks to go, if haven't heard back, email agent again.

2 weeks to go, if still haven't heard back, start mentioning hand over to people.

Yeah the handover threat usually does it, when the permie you are handing over to realises his workload is about to go from 3 hours per week to 35 he soon gets on the blower to do your bidding for you.

[kevpuk]

I subscribe to the 1-month/4-weeks school of thought too.
Previous ClientCo started talking about things earlier, but ultimately they had nothing left for me - my own fault for delivering early
Current ClientCo has recently confirmed that the project will continue into the new year, although some aspects will freeze for a couple of months - I am due to be there until end of December, and it is starting to look likely that 1 Dev and I will not be needed for a couple of months into the new year. They are hopeful to pick us up again after 2-3 months, if we are available, but......still, good that the talking has started.

Anyway, for me, I start to look at the market/update C.V./get in touch with contacts around the 4-weeks-to-go mark. Wierd thing is this time, that around 5 mins after hearing that an extension was unlikely, I had a call from an agent with a role to start end of Dec - spooky......

[jmo21]

when the permie you are handing over to realises his workload is about to go from 3 hours per week to 35 he soon gets on the blower to do your bidding for you.

THIS!

[CloudWalker]

I email this 1 month before my end date:

As you know my contract is due to end on the ** 2013, and I was just seeing if you plan to extend my contract or not so I can make the relevant preparations.

Regards