A good time to start contracting or stay perm?

[perplexed]

An unknown factor of companies either batoning down the hatches and not taking contractors on or freezing headcount and lots of contractors used for essential projects with contractor costs written off against said projects. It's not as obvious as the necessary Y2K changes.

There are also a number of places, certainly public sector who will require a LOT of changes to remove integration from EU systems in the event of no deal.

Cynical me says those gigs will be deemed outside IR35 to get tulip done.

[Lance]

Esteemed client has just found a Y2K bug.

we're now closer to the 2038 bug than the Y2K bug.
Does that make you feel old?

[Old Greg]

An unknown factor of companies either batoning down the hatches and not taking contractors on or freezing headcount and lots of contractors used for essential projects with contractor costs written off against said projects. It's not as obvious as the necessary Y2K changes.

Esteemed client has just found a Y2K bug.

[LondonManc]

You explicitly mention Brexit - why? Are you a EU citizen concerned about your ability to remain in the UK? Or are you worried about the effects that Brexit is having on the UK economy (companies relocating to Europe, etc)?

Maybe if you elaborate a bit about your concerns, it will be easier to give you our opinions.

An unknown factor of companies either batoning down the hatches and not taking contractors on or freezing headcount and lots of contractors used for essential projects with contractor costs written off against said projects. It's not as obvious as the necessary Y2K changes.

[Goosefeather]

Ask yourself this:

Do I have the stomach for it? Do I have enough cash in the bank to survive? Do I have the mental strength?

If you answer yes to all three, fill your boots.

But remember, contracting has ups and downs. The ups are the easy bit.

GF

[Whorty]

This might sound very crazy but i am thinking of leaving my permanent role and go back into contracting (SQL Server development)

With the political uncertainty, is this a good move to make with Brexit (no deal) on the horizon

I havent been following the contract market movements recently

Get yourself on Jobserve, search for jobs you'd be interested in and see how many there are and the rates. How does the market look for you?

Personally, in the arena I'm in, the market looks good and it could be bonus time due to brexit. But that's just the area of work I'm in, may be different for you.

This could be the next Y2K for some

[BlasterBates]

I would wait and see. The market doesn't look too bad, but if the UK crashes out things could get messy.

I would advise waiting until it's clear what will happen. If there is a "no deal" you want to see whether the horsemen of the apocalypse come riding over the horizon.

[Federico Razzoli]

You explicitly mention Brexit - why? Are you a EU citizen concerned about your ability to remain in the UK? Or are you worried about the effects that Brexit is having on the UK economy (companies relocating to Europe, etc)?

Maybe if you elaborate a bit about your concerns, it will be easier to give you our opinions.

[WLB2018]

Check the market, are there contract roles you can do? If so then why not, if the market is flat and nothing that takes your fancy, hang fire.

I've just signed a 6 month gig so hoping that takes me over the "bump"

WLB

[northernladuk]

Then Id say you need to start following the contract markey movements a lot closer. Some people will tell you now is as good a time as any and others will tell you it isnt.

Do you know what day rate you think you want compared to what is, generally, payable? Are you prepared to work away and how far etc?

Why do all that when you can ask a one liner question to a bunch of strangers on the internet who will give you the answer regardless of a complete lack of detail on his/her personal situation?

[washed up contractor]

This might sound very crazy but i am thinking of leaving my permanent role and go back into contracting (SQL Server development)

With the political uncertainty, is this a good move to make with Brexit (no deal) on the horizon

I havent been following the contract market movements recently

Then Id say you need to start following the contract markey movements a lot closer. Some people will tell you now is as good a time as any and others will tell you it isnt.

Do you know what day rate you think you want compared to what is, generally, payable? Are you prepared to work away and how far etc?

[Lance]

I havent been following the contract market movements recently

Perhaps you should consider it.

[northernladuk]

Depends.

[Weegee]

This might sound very crazy but i am thinking of leaving my permanent role and go back into contracting (SQL Server development)

With the political uncertainty, is this a good move to make with Brexit (no deal) on the horizon

I havent been following the contract market movements recently