Reply to: Contract Renewal/Extension

[TheFaQQer]

I'm on a rolling 3 monther, and told there will be work until June 2018, still wont't give more than 3 months, but have previously been accustomed to 6m - 1year.

About to sign up for my 3rd extension, bringing it to one year.

I wouldn't fret it, and just adhere to the contractor mantra and "just keep invoicing".

Amateur

My current project (initially three months) won't complete before end of 2018 at the earliest, by which time the client will look to replace the project that we've finished with something else. I may have left by then, I may not though.

Just passed 5 years, all in extensions of 6 months or less.

[northernladuk]

I'm on a rolling 3 monther, and told there will be work until June 2018, still wont't give more than 3 months, but have previously been accustomed to 6m - 1year.

About to sign up for my 3rd extension, bringing it to one year.

I wouldn't fret it, and just adhere to the contractor mantra and "just keep invoicing".

It lasts as long as it lasts.

Congrats on the extension to the end of the year.

That's good to maximise expenses from a 24 month rule angle though no?

[Scrag Meister]

I'm on a rolling 3 monther, and told there will be work until June 2018, still wont't give more than 3 months, but have previously been accustomed to 6m - 1year.

About to sign up for my 3rd extension, bringing it to one year.

I wouldn't fret it, and just adhere to the contractor mantra and "just keep invoicing".

It lasts as long as it lasts.

Congrats on the extension to the end of the year.

[northernladuk]

It's worth asking whether they think there may be work for you at the end of the renewal. You get a feel for what's coming.

I see a strong possibility of another renewal just as good as a contract (at least with this client).

We all know things can change from one day to another and your typical signed contract has no real value in terms of end date (i.e. you don't get paid without a signed timesheet).

But your third paragraph totally contradicts your first two. And for the record I disagree with the second one as a general comment. It's highly specific to your current client so I don't think it's much use as general advice.

[zonkkk]

It's worth asking whether they think there may be work for you at the end of the renewal. You get a feel for what's coming.

I see a strong possibility of another renewal just as good as a contract (at least with this client).

We all know things can change from one day to another and your typical signed contract has no real value in terms of end date (i.e. you don't get paid without a signed timesheet).

[northernladuk]

I didn't mention anything about commitment. You are always changing the meaning of simplest things with the same basic answers.

Personally, I've never abandoned or would abandon a good client with a good workload in the future.

So what is the point of asking them if there is no confidence in their answer? You are asking them for an answer on which you are trying to make a decision.

Nothing you put is simple. Just making sense of it is a challenge.

[Bee]

I very much doubt they'd be committing to extentions just after the next one has been offered. Even if they said yes there is a good chance they could change their mind in that length of time.

I didn't mention anything about commitment. You are always changing the meaning of simplest things with the same basic answers.

Personally, I've never abandoned or would abandon a good client with a good workload in the future.

[northernladuk]

Yes, I thought the same. If there is a lot of work I would check a possibility of another contract extension in December.

I very much doubt they'd be committing to extentions just after the next one has been offered. Even if they said yes there is a good chance they could change their mind in that length of time.

[Bee]

It sounds like you have a good relationship with your client. Ask them. It's a simple conversation to have.

Something along the lines of "the agency sent through the contract paperwork but it's only to the end of the year, not the six months we discussed. Is that an error or has something changed?"

If you enjoy the work, it would be silly to refuse the extension without discussing it first. It's entirely possible that the company's financial year end is 31 December and it's easier from an accounting and admin perspective to have a clean split.

Yes, I thought the same. If there is a lot of work I would check a possibility of another contract extension in December.

[ladymuck]

Don't worry about it. We used to only ever give 3 month extensions, knowing full well we needed people for long after that.

Ditto this. My previous client would do two months at a time, because longer would be seen as bad planning....

[l35kee]

Don't worry about it. We used to only ever give 3 month extensions, knowing full well we needed people for long after that.

[zonkkk]

Did the client share your expectations of how long the extension was likely to be? Or were you just expecting it to be six months rather than three?

The extension offered was for exactly 12 weeks (including 1 week Christmas close-down).
There was no hint that it would be any different to my previous extension and just found out it's because the big man only told them to renew (not for how long).

[zonkkk]

The man in charge only told HR to extend my contract and was just as surprised as I was when he heard about the end date; he also assured me there will be lots more work coming my way to take me long into 2018.

[l35kee]

I'm of the view that I'll stick with the client even it it would personally make sense to leave with an extension on the table because I can get another contract with a longer extension.

I'm new tho, so still happily naive.

[PermMCCon]

Z

In your words, "awesome client and excellent project".

This is great to hear and you will be surprised how many contractors I have seen leave great projects for more £££ somewhere else, only to then come back within a few months asking if they could return to our programme...

As per the other advice here, have a simple chat with them. Face to face, not email.

Something along the lines of

"Thanks for the contract extension, its a programme I really enjoy and happy to be part of. However, the extension only takes us to end of year?"

Leave it open, see what they reply. Dependent on that, you can then work on a 6 or 12 month extension.

All the best and do not under estimate how good it is to work somewhere you enjoy, that in itself is worth a lot.