Three month advanced warning.

[SueEllen]

So I've got until the 30th of march. Whats the market generally like in April/may, know theres a slump round xmas.. Guess its picked back up by April/may?

Easter Sunday is the 27th March so your contract may finish slightly earlier.

[SimonMac]

Who cares, after 16 months in the same gig your warchest will be impressive so you can afford to wait for the right gig to come along, unless you spunked it all during the good times, you didn't do that though did you?

[VectraMan]

Tax changes mean there will be no more contracting from April.

Sorry.

[ChimpMaster]

Contracts in my line of work come less often than pandas do.

[TheFaQQer]

So good, it's worth repeating.

2012 and 2014 versions are slightly different - there was more optimism in 2012.

[seanraaron]

I think it's the quality of advice in threads like this that ultimately convinced me to register for an account here.

[diseasex]

I think it's the quality of advice in threads like this that ultimately convinced me to register for an account here.

Pick one advice you like :
"you are doomed, you will never get another contract as market never been so slow"

"I guess its time to go back permie for you"

"market is great, i found my gig in 3 hours"

How does any of this answers help exactly?

He will face his own market soon anyway

[psychocandy]

Fair play decent client that gives you that much notice.

I was at one place for 2 years and they decided to tell me there was no renewal the day before it ended. Which I thought was a bit harsh - they could have made an effort to let me know earlier.

[seanraaron]

Pick one advice you like :
"you are doomed, you will never get another contract as market never been so slow"

"I guess its time to go back permie for you"

"market is great, i found my gig in 3 hours"

How does any of this answers help exactly?

He will face his own market soon anyway

And they say Americans don't get ironing...

[northernladuk]

Fair play decent client that gives you that much notice.

I was at one place for 2 years and they decided to tell me there was no renewal the day before it ended. Which I thought was a bit harsh - they could have made an effort to let me know earlier.

It's not harsh at all. You knew exactly what date the gig was going to end the as soon as you signed the contract. Anything else is a bonus. If Bolshie was around he'd point out this is what happens when you've been at a client for a long period. You start expecting renewals (which could be a MoO issue no?) and blaming the client when you don't get one.

Start making noises a week or two before the end about handover, cancel meetings past your leaving date and start handing over. The client will either let you carry on or stop you. There is your answer.