Reply to: Negotiating rate after role offered

[Ruprect]

lol - business case: "because I walk if you don't sort it out and you lose a cash cow"

[ratewhore]

Ask my agent on the phone about a rate rise and he told me to submit a business case.

I heard that from someone else too. Fecking cheek of it. Do you think PwC and the like have to write a business case for their rates?

[marcosscriven]

I'd recommend just taking the rate offered initially, as it's your first contract role.

Get your foot in the door, get your first contract under your belt - THEN you can start claiming for more fees (assuming you're good

[tay]

Will make sure I never hire contractors through them then!! They are on a list of possible preferred suppliers as well, might have to have a chat with the HR chicks about that one...

Thier lawyers sound like dopey gits.

[ChimpMaster]

Legends - get the offer and then negotiate. I think you're in no-mans-land right now with regards to stating rates. You should have given the rate you're happy with at the start (though at the risk of pricing yourself out) or now you'll have to wait to see if the client really wants you, and then give your final rate to the agency.

Once the client wants you, the agency can then see the finish line and wants to cross it soon as possible to get their commissions. Of course they'll be loath to give you more but it's either that or risk losing their client.

Just don't be too greedy, and be prepared to find another contract if need be.

[mictech]

I am up for renewal with hays, for the first time since I moved to my ltd company set-up. therefore had the contract check with qdos couple weeks ago. It fails and hays say it their standard contract and their lawyers will not change it.

Ask my agent on the phone about a rate rise and he told me to submit a business case. After I put that because their contract fails IR35 I will now have the extra tax burden to cover and a cost of living increase since I have been there on the same rate for a year. Wasted my time as they refused that also, excuse being the client being under strict budget.

I am pretty certain the client would not want to bring in another contract as they are want to take on full time staff now. So when I walk next week I will have the last laugh.

[LegendsWear7]

A few weeks ago I quoted 'about 500 pounds' to an agent and he said 'ok' by email.

I have now passed tech test and 2 interviews and think the client will want me this week.

The role is fairly heavy and with a great deal of out of hours work. I think it is worth 10/15% more at least.

*if* it is offered .... how should I proceed to get the 'best' rate ? I don't want to scare off the (premier league) client. I agree with one comment above that you need to get your rate at the start as renewals will only provide a modest increase if you're lucky.

[TheFaQQer]

One thing I will re-iterate is that you must be happy with the rate offered. It really doesn't matter as much how much your skills are worth or that xomeone else is earning more etc. Horses for courses, just be happy with what ur getting paid yourself otherwise you will fret about it later during your contract.

Also it's always much easier to state initially what rate you want - highball it - and let the agent negotiate for you. Once in a contract you'll be lucky to get substantial rises on renewals.

In 2 years I've only got a 3% rise on my rate - but I was happy with the initial rate and still am happy with what I'm getting, so it doesn't matter.

Exactly - as long as you're happy with it, you're fine. You can always look for a rate increase at first contract renewal, once you're established and they know that they want to keep you around.

One thing I would say is to warn against pricing things up as (for example) "ooh - I can buy that plasma TV, I only have to work for a week to pay for it". Once you're on that slippery slope, it can be hard to get off...

HTH,

Faqqer

[bobsmithldn]

1. I've got a potential contract and at first the agent asked me for a daily rate. This was before I had any information on the role, if I get offered the role can I up the rate I stated then?

2. How are Hays at negotiating with B&C about contracts (IR35)?


Cheers Folks

Congrat's but please note that Hays do not negotiate re their contracts - mine at JP Morgan was really bad and fell inside IR35, they wouldn't negotiate ... good luck!

[Diestl]

I got the contract at my original rate as its a good client and the rate is good. So after joining CUK in July 06 and reading/posting im finally a contractor .

Thanks to everyone who gave advice

[dmini]

Hays aren't brilliant at negotiating with B&C.
My contract came through as a "marginal pass" without amendments. The contract could not be changed, the schedule can - certainly on some contracts. However, I believe there are some variants that are a straight fail, based on other peoples comments on this forum
I've now got to the point of telling the agency that my acceptance is subject to B&C successful negotiations! I had one horrendous contract, which was an outright, non-negotiable fail, which I backed out of on receipt of paperwork.
B&C will be helpful the first time, and give an unofficial look over maybe. They were to me!However, to get anything firm out - letter, negotiations etc, you need to pay

[ChimpMaster]

One thing I will re-iterate is that you must be happy with the rate offered. It really doesn't matter as much how much your skills are worth or that xomeone else is earning more etc. Horses for courses, just be happy with what ur getting paid yourself otherwise you will fret about it later during your contract.

Also it's always much easier to state initially what rate you want - highball it - and let the agent negotiate for you. Once in a contract you'll be lucky to get substantial rises on renewals.

In 2 years I've only got a 3% rise on my rate - but I was happy with the initial rate and still am happy with what I'm getting, so it doesn't matter.

[BlasterBates]

You can renegotiate, however 20% is a bit steep. The main problem will be the client, not the agent. Up to about 5% the agent can eat into his margin, but 20% will mean the agent renegotiating with the client. It depends on whether you were way too low to begin with. It your quote was well below market rates for your experience, there would be no problem.

You can of course just tell the agent you've been offered 20% extra elsewhere, and the decision to accept has been made "more difficult", and take it from there. If you feel in the coversation you might be too high just mention this alternative contract is "further away" to the open the door for a lesser rise.

In future quote a higher rate, agents will always try prod for a lower rate if there really is a ceiling. You then say "I would consider a lower rate, but it depends on the work, blah blah bla".


...ah I see you haven't been for the interview yet. At this stage no sweat. The agent will ring you up to ask how it went, at that point state your rate.

[Diestl]

Just 20%, however this will be my first contract, im currently a permie but they don't know yet so I can afford to turn it down.

[Cactus]

Go to the interview, get the offer from the client, and then negotiate with the agency. They'll try to make you stick to your original quote - so that they can cream off as much as possible. However once the client has offered you the job, then the agent will not want to lose you.

Don't go stupidly higher than your initial quote, but do be happy with the rate you will work on, otherwise you'll fret about it later.

What sort of % do you suggest upping it by? Anything upto 20% for starters or is that too high? 10-15% ?

I've never lost a gig by trying to get a better rate, but I've never pushed really hard in the past either to pi$$ anyone off.