Just scored another 20/day BUT this was after 13 months, I know the 'insultancy' is working on a chunky markup and I had to get a bit terse with the bell who was sorting it out.
I did NOT try to make any justification related to expenses, responsibility etc etc.
I did NOT make any threats, ultimatums or other posturing/painting into a corner.
I simply said when a renewal was first mentioned that I had been there over a year, can you look at increasing the rate, I am looking for 5%.
Tried to fob me off, then ignored it, I sent a note detailing my dissappointment in how this was handled and they sorted it. End of the day it's 4000 a year for getting a little acerbic. someone on 20k would be astonished to get that much of a bump....
I almost certainly wouldn't ask after 5 months unless I wanted to leave or they were desperate for me to stay....
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Are your skills readily available to the agency from another contractor - if the answer's yes and you ask for more money they will probably just replace you; if you have a skill set which is rare and in high demand you'll probably get the rate increaseLeave a comment:
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The important question is: How close are you to the client? Do you know your manager (or whoever controls the budget) well enough, to freely discuss your existing rate? That's what I did in my current and previous gigs. Once you can speak freely with the client, you can tell him "I am getting xxx per day. Do you know how much you actually pay for me?" Once you know that figure, you know the agency's real margin. Then you justify to the client how you handle your expenses, and how you could use a bit more money to save on travel costs etc. In my case, I travel from Swindon to London Paddington, and a season ticket costs me about £40 per day return fare. So if the client candidly discusses all of the above, he will be willing to negotiate if his budget allows, and if he appreciates your contribution to the project and values your presence. This can mean cut in agency's margin, or the client bumping the total price he pays for you per day, which means you can approach the agency, and tell them straight in the face, that you want a rise of £xx, because the client has agreed to do so, and that you have directly negotiated with the client. This also means that the agency will not be able to fob you off, by taking in more margin, as per the new rate. If you are thinking of going via the agency to ask for a rise in the daily rate, I would not be too hopeful, because you never know how much increase the client actually allowed, and whether the agency is still taking the same margin, or raking in more margin, and giving you tulip raise in daily rate. HTH.Originally posted by rurffy View PostLeave a comment:
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I tend to think if you have to ask a question like this then the answer is no you shouldn't. When you have a good grasp on your business, it's finances, your delivery and your relationship with your client you will know and not need to ask.Leave a comment:
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If you are asking for more are you also offering to do more? Has the skills required to complete the project changed? Have you acquired new skills (not learnt on the job) that make you more valuable?
Are you prepared to take more accountability for the success of the project? Work longer hours?
If you are asking to increase than rate you negotiated only 5 months ago based purely on the fact that you think the client "needs" you to complete the project then that would just come across as a threat.
You may find the extension evaporates. It certainly would if you were contracting for me.Leave a comment:
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I managed a 15% increase once, but that was after 12 months. People generally understand the concept of annual rises and annual budgets, even if they don't understand what a contractor is, so I think that's a good way to work it. After 5 months is probably much more of a hard sell; it'll look like you're holding them to ransom the way you describe.Leave a comment:
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How on earth can anyone here begin to provide you with any guidance on this??? If xxx = 100 then asking for an extra 40% probably isn't going to work; if xxx = 1500 then an extra £30 won't make much difference, and not enough that you "need".Originally posted by rurffy View Post
I worked out the market rate. I worked out what I was being paid. I worked out how much I wanted the contract extension on offer. I worked out what extra I was performing, and what had changed since I accepted the role at the current rate.Originally posted by rurffy View Post
Then put together a meaningful case and discuss it with the agency or client (if direct).
Negotiated an increase which was more than they wanted, less than I wanted, but still an increase.Leave a comment:
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I wouldn't put it in writing if I were youOriginally posted by rurffy View Post
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I can remember back in the day (90's) - getting increases without even asking. From £18.83/hr to £25.63/hr first increase! Was on over £30/hr when I left late 90's - better than the £150/day super-skills AIX roles coming my way now, and in London mind you, and then I was clueless (still am before anyone starts!). And I was working in Scotland.
And then HMRC and VAT where difference orgs, and ones accounting responsibilities were an invoice an month and a load of receipts on a spike. I've spent every spare hour this week dealing with shiite from the Gov and the accountant, it's getting too onerous....
Feck me things have gone tulippety.....Leave a comment:
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Why do you need more money? If you can't justify why you should get more money to yourself you won't have a chance with the agent/client as Mal says.Originally posted by rurffy View Post
They may bung you a few % to keep you happy if the agent has been screwing you over but if margins are pretty tight you are talking about altering the budgets of both client and agent which will need a lot of justification.
Have to say however, the fact that you cannot even come up with a decent figure rather than just guessing doesn't bode very well for you. I mean, <xxx> + £30? WTF is that supposed to mean? is xxx 150 or is it 550? Agent is going to smell you a mile off.Leave a comment:
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If you dont' ask...Originally posted by rurffy View Post
But be very clear about what you're asking and how the client sees it. You're already paid to do the best job you can, and the money either comes from the client's budget or the agency's margin. To justify the former you have to demonstrate you've added real, tangible value over and above what you're paid to do (and if the project is over-running that may be tricky...).To get any of the latter you need to persuade the agency that they've covered their intial outlay and you are giving them free business.
And don't forget, your strongest negotiating position puts you out of a job if they call your bluff.
Best of luck...Leave a comment:
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