Agent's Take

[wendigo100]

1) Is it fair - do they earn it?

2) How often do you understand the margin?

3) Who rules the market - Contractors, Clients or Agents?

4) Is it just a question of supply or demand?

5) Is it viable in the long term?

1) In my experience they have earned it.

2) I always understand the margin.

3) Clients rule the market.

4) It is a question of supply and demand.

5) I think so. I've been contracting for 17 years and I've done OK, touch wood. I've not made masses of money, but I've only spent a total of six months out of work during that time.

[boredsenseless]

1) Is it fair - do they earn it?

2) How often do you understand the margin?

3) Who rules the market - Contractors, Clients or Agents?

4) Is it just a question of supply or demand?

5) Is it viable in the long term?

1) Well did you get the work yourself or did they come to you? If they got the contract then they earned it.

2) I don't care - if I'm happy with my cut they can earn 200% for all I care.

3) Clients of course - if they take their ball home we're all f@cked

4) Within reason

5) Depends on if you keep up-to-date or just cream it while the sun shines

[Fungus]

1) Is it fair - do they earn it?

2) How often do you understand the margin?

3) Who rules the market - Contractors, Clients or Agents?

4) Is it just a question of supply or demand?

5) Is it viable in the long term?

1) It's as fair as life.

2) I think the client is not allowed to tell you, and the agent won't. But you can sometimes find out if you know who to make friends with.

3) As someone else said. It depends on the market.

4) Yes.

5) Yes. If you are competent. Lots of idiots went contracting during the last boom, but they didn't last long.

Leif