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Recent content by icarus
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To renew or not to renew
My question was "should I renew in the current market", so it wasn't really the exact same question as last time. Anyway, if anyone was wondering how this story ends... The offer from ClientCo was "do you want to renew?" - no mention of rates. But they seemed happy with me and I figured "if...- icarus
- Post #9
- Forum: Business / Contracts
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To renew or not to renew
Six months ago I asked for advice on whether I should renew my London-based .NET dev contract or hold out for something better (the rate is some 15% less than what I was getting in 2008). The answers I received back then were very helpful and now another six month renewal is on offer, so I will...- icarus
- Thread
- Replies: 10
- Forum: Business / Contracts
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T-shirt seen today in Greenwich market
"HM Revenue & Customs - We've got what it takes to take what you've got"- icarus
- Thread
- Replies: 1
- Forum: Light Relief
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Contracting in Oz?
I contracted in Sydney for 6 months in 2006-7. It took me 3 weeks to find a gig at about $500/day (what am I doing wrong, I wonder?) Anyway, I loved it, especially the weather and scenery. With the extreme forex rate and the rate cuts I've had in London in the last 18 months it is very...- icarus
- Post #28
- Forum: Business / Contracts
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UK contracting as a career
I've been a UK contractor for 13 years now. My rate got slashed last year and I'm now making about the same in nominal terms as I did back in 2001 (back then it was a 7 hour day, now it's 8, but let's ignore that). In real terms that's a big wage cut, but I know that I'm a much better (and... -
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Interest on business a/c
I have some funds in my business accounts and I really want to make some kind of return on them. Last year it was no problem: Northern Crock were paying a good rate in their business reserve account. But now all business account rates are on the floor. The best you can do is about 2%, for... -
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how's the market?
I assume that's a good thing. Agent = Kite Thanks for your advice.- icarus
- Post #3
- Forum: Business / Contracts
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how's the market?
I've just been offered a six month renewal. Gig's okay, but the rate's less than I was getting last year. When I started the job the market was really dead and this was the only game in town. Now I'm not sure. As a .NET dev in London, can I afford to drive a hard bargain, or should I be...- icarus
- Thread
- Replies: 9
- Forum: Business / Contracts
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Weak Substitution and no right of termination
I asked the agent about dropping my personal name from the contract, but no dice. The best they will offer is something like "[my name] or another representative agreed in writing". Taking all your replies into account, I think I will fall back on my primary IR35 defence, namely shovelling...- icarus
- Post #16
- Forum: Business / Contracts
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Weak Substitution and no right of termination
Thanks for your reply. Does this mean that "The Supplier does not have the right to terminate this agreement" is acceptable as long as there is a clause like "the Supplier has the right to ask the agency to terminate"? Doesn't the contract need to be clear that I can somehow decide to quit...- icarus
- Post #4
- Forum: Business / Contracts
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Weak Substitution and no right of termination
I'm reviewing my new contract and there are a couple of clauses that make me very nervous about IR35: 1. "The Consultant: [My name] or any other consultant as agreed in writing by [Agency]" The agency say that this is a satisfactory substitution clause, but it looks a bit weak to me. 2. "The...- icarus
- Thread
- Replies: 17
- Forum: Business / Contracts
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Got a gig after 7 months
I said that I had been working on a mobile phone game. I've been writing this game for various reasons, not least so that I can answer the bench time question with something a bit more positive than "I've been in the pub". I can then steer the conversation towards what a big business the...- icarus
- Post #18
- Forum: Business / Contracts
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Got a gig after 7 months
Bog standard C#/ASP.NET/SQL Server/WCF. Thanks everyone for your kind words. I have no idea what I did right. All I can suggest, if you are a dev, is to set up a vanity website and stick some of your best code examples in it, then put the link on your CV. I think it helped me to get the dev...- icarus
- Post #14
- Forum: Business / Contracts
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Got a gig after 7 months
Well, by gads and by jingo with dumplings, steak and kidneys, and a good solid helping of sprouts. Been on the bench for seven months with hardly so much as a phone call. Then last week I get cold called by an agent with a not-too-crummy gig in the City. Danced around the bench-time issue at...- icarus
- Thread
- Replies: 23
- Forum: Business / Contracts
