Contracting, a mistake anyone?

[Weltchy]

I was permie for about 10 years, first as hardware, followed by networks and then finally software dev. The last year for me in permiedom, we brought in a couple of contractors to work on a critical project, with me as lead, and of course I sneaked a look at their rates, which were at least 4 times what I got paid.

Upto this point, my idea of a contractor was an all knowing, all seeing programming god who should know everything and anything about their chosen products, of which there should be a broad range, hence the extremely high cost.

The reality was, they were no better than me. In fact, they were alot worse, asking some of the most noddy tech questions I'd ever heard anyone utter.

Hence I made the jump, and havent looked back since!!!

[hyperD]

Went contracting in late 90's, did my homework though re: rates and now direct with several clients in a niche market.

Scarily went close to the wire financially as one of my major clients outsourced their accounts to our bangalore friends and everyone (big majors as well as small fry) didn't get paid for many months (me: 6 months).

Love doing what I'm doing - never worked so hard in all my life, not technically as good as people like AtW, but keep the relationships going and very market aware of competitors.

Would be unable to work for someone else ever again. I would have to run a shop or something. Once being your own boss is really in your blood, you can never go back and I think people would see you as too pushy/distruptive/threat etc

See it in my wife as well - she's ploughing through the ranks in permie land and her focus is to leave (far quicker than I did) and start up her own financial company. Tremendous. I might retire even earlier than I expected.

[ratewhore]

Expensive holidays: i.e. no paid time off. Last year was my most expensive christmas ever as I had to take a week off. It changes the way you think about time off, and there's always the pressure to just keep working.

Got to disagree there VectraMan. That's the attitude of a newbie contractor who doesn't see anything 'beyond the money'. Once you get over that and focus on the flexibility of contracting then more holidays is a bonus (particularly when you've turned over a nice amount over the year.

In my humble experience anyhoo...

[zathras]

It might sound a daft question to some or even most of you, but it's a serious one really. Do any of you regret taking contracting as a way of life (i.e. instead of the permie option)? I'm really interested in your thoughts.

Thanks.

No,

"permie option"

Given the demise of a job for life, you mean a contract which lasts for two years and pays half as much - No thanks

[MarillionFan]

I tend to find that older contractors I come across are so stuck in their ways as to be useless, they are also paranoid about 'hanging onto their role' or 'not rocking the boat'

Any younger ones than me, I have found have lacked experience and have been crap.

Any PM's I come across are not as good as I can do their job, but I make their jobs super easy for them by only bringing solutions and hitting targets.

90% of the technical support staff are either 'you must phone the helpdesk first before I can help you, even though I sit opposite' or if over the phone. Just plain crap. 10% of them turn out to be brilliant and hence worth using even if you must phone 0800 PAPER MCSE.

[ratewhore]

I tend to find that older contractors I come across are so stuck in their ways as to be useless, they are also paranoid about 'hanging onto their role' or 'not rocking the boat'

Any younger ones than me, I have found have lacked experience and have been crap.

Any PM's I come across are not as good as I can do their job, but I make their jobs super easy for them by only bringing solutions and hitting targets.

90% of the technical support staff are either 'you must phone the helpdesk first before I can help you, even though I sit opposite' or if over the phone. Just plain crap. 10% of them turn out to be brilliant and hence worth using even if you must phone 0800 PAPER MCSE.

blimey - a sad indictment of our industry...

[Bugbait]

Started contracting as soon as I arrived in the UK and haven't regretted a second of it. Sure, long term unpaid leave can hurt but you still end up making the same or more than most permies for less days worked! If the market ever took a downturn there isn't a doubt in my mind that I could land a permie job if needed. Been offered permanency within the first fortnight of every contract thus far.

I don't enjoy what I do anyway. Contract purely for the money to fund the things in life I do enjoy.

[Judge Fred]

" as I arrived in the UK"

Please use the term 'as I got off the boat'. This will get more of a welcoming reaction.

hth

[Spacecadet]

" as I arrived in the UK"

Please use the term 'as I got off the boat'. This will get more of a welcoming reaction.

hth

Unless of course he's Australian, New Zealander, South African (white) or American, in which case you're more than welcome

[TheMonkey]

Unless of course he's Australian, New Zealander, South African (white) or American, in which case you're more than welcome

But only if you are female and fit.