Reply to: Does anyone get more than £250 a day for .NET dev?

[AlfredJPruffock]

The issue is the in flux of the permtractors. To someone that was in a permie job for 35k , 250 per day is a whole lot more money. When offered day rates of this they see pound signs rolling and they think life couldn't be better. They think they are rolling in it, when all of a sudden the 3 month hiatus hits, and they are forced to sit on the bench a while then they learn the valuable lesson why us experienced guys ask in the upper 300's and more.

It's a case of natural selection, the ones who learn the lesson move on, while the ones that don't go back to a perm job.

A lot of doom and gloom regarding the job market has added to this issue, it's always been there however it is more pronounced and is being manipulated by the more unscrupulous agents.

True - altough you could add that Unscrupulous Agents are only likely to manipulate inexperienced contractors thereby leaving the experienced contractors to enjoy a higher rate for the posts that really require that in-depth knowledge suitable for only those who have gained many years of IT and cleintco experience.

[cykophysh39]

The issue is the in flux of the permtractors. To someone that was in a permie job for 35k , 250 per day is a whole lot more money. When offered day rates of this they see pound signs rolling and they think life couldn't be better. They think they are rolling in it, when all of a sudden the 3 month hiatus hits, and they are forced to sit on the bench a while then they learn the valuable lesson why us experienced guys ask in the upper 300's and more.

It's a case of natural selection, the ones who learn the lesson move on, while the ones that don't go back to a perm job.

A lot of doom and gloom regarding the job market has added to this issue, it's always been there however it is more pronounced and is being manipulated by the more unscrupulous agents.

[weemster]

I'm hitting £325 a day on the south coast. I was orginally on a day rate, but then got them to change to hourly and sometimes bill for ten or more hours a day, which up's the day rate up past £400

We must be related

[Weltchy]

I'm hitting £325 a day on the south coast. I was orginally on a day rate, but then got them to change to hourly and sometimes bill for ten or more hours a day, which up's the day rate up past £400

[pzz76077]

The problem you have is that there are 1,000's that will work for 250 or less. Until these people dissapear, then the market rate is 250pd, so it is an uphill struggle to get any more.

PZZ

[oliverson]

yes - 450 and it still isn't enough. I'm looking for much more. The signs are there that rates and opportunities are on the up in the City.

[Amiga500]

I tend do a round robin with previous clients.

As they know me and they know what I'm capable of, they pay a *reasonable* rate.

They know you post on CUK all day?

[HeadOfTesting]

Keep you heads up guys!

All the cheapness coming from India and the like is going to be feeding us next year. As we all know things are cheap for a reason, and quality has a price.

As in all walks of life you get what you pay for.

[cykophysh39]

Keep you heads up guys!

All the cheapness coming from India and the like is going to be feeding us next year. As we all know things are cheap for a reason, and quality has a price.

From what I have seen, the quality just isn't there. The quality coders from India are upping thier price, as they aren't stupid.

[jim2406]

Yes last 3 contracts in midlands have all paid that or more.

None of them are through agencies though - all people that know me.

[Shimano105]

@xchaotic:
This was the case 3 months ago as well when I was getting £300 a day.

But you are right, there's sod all that I can do about it. Just wondered if anyone else was making it pay.

I guess the test for all of us who are currently earning is what we can get on the next contract.

[DimPrawn]

I tend do a round robin with previous clients.

As they know me and they know what I'm capable of, they pay a *reasonable* rate.

If a client doesn't know you from Adam and they have 1000's of applicants, the rate is going to be silly.

So, go through your contact list and drum up work.

[xchaotic]

Simple: you have to differentiate yourself by having a niche skill in addtion to 'generic' OO programming.
If you're just a .net coder you're trading a commodity that's currently low, because there's plenty of supply.
Today, I used a .net app written by a guy in India whom I supervise.
He did it in one day (stayed late - not my idea) and the app does what it's supposed to.
(the code sucks, but in this case it's not a problem)
What would be the advantage of paying even £120 for it if I can get for much less?
You might not agree, but most business decision maker will try to keep cost as low as they can.

[CMS_Netter]

Lowest was £280 when I was getting desperate. Back on decent rate now.
I think the trick is to have niche skill and/or industry to try and maximise your rate and differentiate yourself from normal .Net coder - ie CMS, Ecommerce, MVC, WCF etc

[Durbs]

I was getting 300/day for .NET oop north until a few weeks back when they offshored me.

Now looking at the market, i need to pay them for the privilege of working, provide my own PC and let 20 offshorers live in my loft to even be in with a chance of landing a contract