Reply to: Lack of work during contract

[unixman]

Its easy.
"Hey, I can do this in 2 weeks, it's quite tricky because of reasons you wouldn't understand". *does it in 4 hours on the last day*

Gung-ho Horlicks, lad.

[nomadd]

So you consistently undervalue yourself.

Don't we all?

[diseasex]

Which is the professional equivalent of fraud.
When word gets out that you pull that kind of crap any sensible client will chuck you off site immediately, refuse to sign timesheets and tell all their mates that you're a shyster.
As contractors professional integrity is tricky enough to keep with the ratbags that will just up sticks with no notice for 20p a day extra, when scumbags big up a job they deserve to be caught out at it.
Unless of course you're just lying in which case why troll the professional forums?

[TykeMerc]

Its easy.
"Hey, I can do this in 2 weeks, it's quite tricky because of reasons you wouldn't understand". *does it in 4 hours on the last day*

Which is the professional equivalent of fraud.
When word gets out that you pull that kind of crap any sensible client will chuck you off site immediately, refuse to sign timesheets and tell all their mates that you're a shyster.
As contractors professional integrity is tricky enough to keep with the ratbags that will just up sticks with no notice for 20p a day extra, when scumbags big up a job they deserve to be caught out at it.
Unless of course you're just lying in which case why troll the professional forums?

[northernladuk]

Its easy.
"Hey, I can do this in 2 weeks, it's quite tricky because of reasons you wouldn't understand". *does it in 4 hours on the last day*

You still here?

[diseasex]

@Cleatus - thanks, noted. You are not as hillbilly as you look!




Care to give more details on that nomadd? How does it work.

Its easy.
"Hey, I can do this in 2 weeks, it's quite tricky because of reasons you wouldn't understand". *does it in 4 hours on the last day*

[unixman]

@Cleatus - thanks, noted. You are not as hillbilly as you look!

I've spent most of my contracting career doing it the other way round - billing £100k for £30k worth of work. Client miscalculations have helped keep me off the bench for most of the last 27 years.

Care to give more details on that nomadd? How does it work.

[NotAllThere]

I've spent most of my contracting career doing it the other way round - billing £100k for £30k worth of work. ...

So you consistently undervalue yourself.

[MrMarkyMark]

I've spent most of my contracting career doing it the other way round - billing £100k for £30k worth of work. Client miscalculations have helped keep me off the bench for most of the last 27 years.

Sounds like you "added value" (to your own contractor business)

[SueEllen]

I've spent most of my contracting career doing it the other way round - billing £100k for £30k worth of work. Client miscalculations have helped keep me off the bench for most of the last 27 years.

EDIT: To the OP: Find a set of new(ish) techs that are somehow - even if remotely - connected to your current role. Learn them on-site in your quiet periods with an aim to see how you could integrate them in with what your a currently doing, hopefully improving things along the way for them. You've no idea how much extra business I've gained by doing this. A quick word with a Manager - or at the daily standup - of "Hey, maybe you could consider using XXX to do YYY instead?" works wonders. And even if they don't take up your ideas, you walk away with some new skills on your c.v. and a few extra months worth of billing. Plus you have also stopped yourself from becoming bored and/or looking the office layabout.

Damn - you have explained my theory.

[nomadd]

I once did a 100K contract for only 30K, because the client had hopelessly miscalculated the amount of work required.

I've spent most of my contracting career doing it the other way round - billing £100k for £30k worth of work. Client miscalculations have helped keep me off the bench for most of the last 27 years.

EDIT: To the OP: Find a set of new(ish) techs that are somehow - even if remotely - connected to your current role. Learn them on-site in your quiet periods with an aim to see how you could integrate them in with what your a currently doing, hopefully improving things along the way for them. You've no idea how much extra business I've gained by doing this. A quick word with a Manager - or at the daily standup - of "Hey, maybe you could consider using XXX to do YYY instead?" works wonders. And even if they don't take up your ideas, you walk away with some new skills on your c.v. and a few extra months worth of billing. Plus you have also stopped yourself from becoming bored and/or looking the office layabout.

[Troll]

if you can do your own work then definitely use this time and do it... just don't get cought.
While being permie a while ago, i had the same problem. endlessly browsing wasnt enough so i started to do actual side work, programming apps and selling stuff on ebay. Managed to nearly double my salary for some period

You may need to revisit your English lessons HTH

[LondonManc]

NLUK is correct. You're being paid to deliver a professional working day. It doesn't look that professional if you're seen on your own laptop all day, barely touching any of ClientCo's work stuff.

It's a perception thing, ultra-political.

[NotAllThere]

Very interesting Cleatus. Care to share some more detail on how you approached the client with your proposal to go part time?

"There's not enough work to keep my occupied five days a week on what I'm contracted for at the moment. I suggest that I just come in 3 days a week to do what's necessary, until/unless the workload increases."

I once did a 100K contract for only 30K, because the client had hopelessly miscalculated the amount of work required. I more than made up the remaining 70K with other work for other clients. The project manager was delighted because it helped him stick to budget, and that led to more work.

All that's required is a flexible attitude and a good reputation, coupled with the ability to deliver. I've been doing this for nearly ten years.

[diseasex]

What you sell on ebay then?

Wheeling dealing and wholesaling electronics . Depending how much overtime money i want