Rates - local vs London

[bobspud]

For those of us living outside of London but taking contracts there from time to time what sort of premium do you tend to charge?

Although it's commutable from where I am on a daily basis, for tough contracts it is better to stay in London for the duration. For the cost of travel/accommodation I reckon there is a premium of probably a minimum of £75 per day (although more realistically probably £100+) for London vs local. What sort of premium does anyone living outside of the M25 and probably 75+ miles from London tend to think is reasonable?

Rates are well and truly unfathomable. My last two gigs in London (Cloud Architecture) paid £685 and £700 per day but that meant either staying in London or getting on a 6am train every morning. When that finished I wanted a role outside the capital to keep me out of the 2 year rules and so I'm currently taking £550 a day to work at home. Working at home works out at about 25% personal utilisation vs 100% of my time utilised on the project plan. I have taken a few months to chill but going forward I will be looking to take two roles at home rather than one big role in London. As that will give me the best of both worlds.

[LondonManc]

I'm in the South West and would say that rates are very similar to those in the North West.

For similar .Net development roles, for example, advertised rates are typically £150-£200 per day less than those in London.

I used to get the train a lot but I've started driving down far more. Mileage claims of 225 miles each way soon adds up, even after 10000 miles More than fuels the car and pays for the parking too. Sod wear and tear, it's just a fact of life.

[SouthernManc78]

I live in Southampton and currently commute into central London each day, I get a weekly first class ticket and it costs £250 a week for that alone plus not to mention it's a 2 hour door to door commute for me. I personally would take a contract in London for any less that £500 a week which is around £100 premium over what I would work for in other locations closer to home

[ShandyDrinker]

I live in Southampton and currently commute into central London each day, I get a weekly first class ticket and it costs £250 a week for that alone plus not to mention it's a 2 hour door to door commute for me. I personally would take a contract in London for any less that £500 a week which is around £100 premium over what I would work for in other locations closer to home

£250 a week for first class from Southampton sounds like a bargain. From Swindon it's £250 a week standard - first class is nearer £475 I think. Still, it's probably better value than staying in a hotel.

Depending on where I've been in the city - Canary Wharf is 2 hours door to door on a good day with heart of the city not much better, especially if on the H&C/Circle line.

[Forgotmylogin]

I don't get the question.

I don't charge a premium for London, simply because I charge "London rates" wherever I work. In fact, I'm currently charging 25% over "London rates" for a contract outside London.

You charge as much as a client will pay - and if that's not as much as you want you don't take the contract.

[LondonManc]

£250 a week for first class from Southampton sounds like a bargain. From Swindon it's £250 a week standard - first class is nearer £475 I think. Still, it's probably better value than staying in a hotel.

Depending on where I've been in the city - Canary Wharf is 2 hours door to door on a good day with heart of the city not much better, especially if on the H&C/Circle line.

I aim to have 2 difficult and 8 easy commutes each week; depends whereabouts in Greater London the gig is - I tend to look for locations along the underground, or more ideally the DLR as they hardly ever strike.

I don't get the question.

I don't charge a premium for London, simply because I charge "London rates" wherever I work. In fact, I'm currently charging 25% over "London rates" for a contract outside London.

You charge as much as a client will pay - and if that's not as much as you want you don't take the contract.

Try charging London rates + 20% in Manchester. I wish I could

[ShandyDrinker]

I don't get the question.

I don't charge a premium for London, simply because I charge "London rates" wherever I work. In fact, I'm currently charging 25% over "London rates" for a contract outside London.

You charge as much as a client will pay - and if that's not as much as you want you don't take the contract.

Yes, you do charge as much as the client will pay. Maybe your particular niche allows you to charge 25% over London rates which is great for you.

Certainly for development roles there do seem to be rate ranges depending on the part of the country you're in.

[LondonManc]

Yes, you do charge as much as the client will pay. Maybe your particular niche allows you to charge 25% over London rates which is great for you.

Certainly for development roles there do seem to be rate ranges depending on the part of the country you're in.

Correct. I'm sure London banks would love me to charge my Manchester, non-banking rate

[ShandyDrinker]

Correct. I'm sure London banks would love me to charge my Manchester, non-banking rate

Very true! From some of the adverts I've seen recently I get the feeling that's the way rates are heading in some London based banking roles...

[LondonManc]

Very true! From some of the adverts I've seen recently I get the feeling that's the way rates are heading in some London based banking roles...

Always annoys be when agents ask about the current rate - it's nothing to do with them and they may get excited or put off depending on where their gig is