What is your ideal length of time at one client?

[vista]

Time isn't the issue

I guess the time to leave any account is a combination of when the product / program is successfully delivered and when there's nothing new/available to learn.

[Angela_D]

2.5 years and was offered 6 month extension yesterday. IR35 crap doesn't apply here. I would like to leave but the rate is higher than I could probably achieve in London so greed wins.

[kramer]

depends how long it takes to bang the hottie on reception/admin/marketting

then it time to hot tail it out of there before it hits the fan

[MarillionFan]

"depends how long it takes to bang the hottie on reception/admin/marketting

then it time to hot tail it out of there before it hits the fan"

Which reminds me kramer. I have that Rhyponol you wanted me to get on my last trip to Thailand. You still having trouble sleeping right?

[Cliphead]

3 - 6 months, I get bored after 6 months in the same job although if the rate's good...

[Rantor]

2 years. After that you feel like a permie. Not good.

A good benchmark - previously I lasted 28 months and that was pushing it.

Now in a bit of a dillema as I have been on my current project for nearly two years and have been offered a rolling extension at v good dosh.

Only problem is I don't really want to do it now, partly beacause of the normal contractor itchiness to move on to other things but mainly because the client has a numpty-centric stafffing policy and they are very hard work indeed.

I even asked for too much money in an effort to put them off but they OKed it. High class problem I suppose but I'm glad it involves signing on the dotted line every few months (or not!)

[lukemg]

I reckon 2 years tops, don't want the CV to look like a patchwork quilt with a rash of 3 and 6 monthers on, you must have been doing something right to stay that long.
Over 2 years and you start to get very stale, the market moves on and you may lack confidence getting back into it. I did nearly 6 at one place, thought I couldn't leave because the rate/location/conditions were too good as the market died elsewhere. Not sure I made the right decision to stay but the reliable cash really set me up for the future.

[wendigo100]

I reckon 2 years tops, don't want the CV to look like a patchwork quilt with a rash of 3 and 6 monthers on, you must have been doing something right to stay that long.

Good point if you are a bum-on-seat. However, I am usually taken on each time to do a specific task then move out to the next one, so I've even done two-weekers.

Since my five-year stint, I have been on a couple of bum-on-seat contracts elsewhere, but left each one voluntarily after a year or so.

Also, I've been back to previous clients a few times, which I think is a better demonstration of doing something right.

[bobhope]

I'd agree with the 18mth - 2 years. Depends on what you do, but if you have too many short gigs, then that's regarded with suspicion.

Once did almost 3 years at one place. I was ready to jump out the top floor window and / or go postal by the end.

[DimPrawn]

I had some HR bint "interview" me once and say "your contracts are all 3,6 and 9 monthers mostly. Do you have a problem staying in one job?".

To which I replied, "No, but I do have a problem with companies hiring contractors when they really should be hiring permies."