Reply to: proper contractors?

[Gibbon]

A real contractor is always looking for their next job.

Just got my next gig, didn't get my 'dream' contract as the skills they desired are a bit rusty in my case (over 3 years old infact). Being at present site for those 3 years, very close to home but boring as hell and the work is drying up in a few months.

So took decision to contract darn south for a while to brush up on in demand skills. I need to stay contracting for 5 more years and then i can retire to Italy.

[wendigo100]

A real contractor is always looking for their next job.

[darmstadt]

I go here after work to let steam off and should be getting my loyalty card soon....

[hyperD]

A real contractor makes an effort to maintain the relationship with all his clients and their teams so he may provide services for them direct while working from his own office on a full time basis.

[gingerjedi]

I'd say about 75% of contractors are perma-temp tax dodgers.

Wash your mouth out, I am in business at my own risk and an asset to the economy, Gordo’ and I are mutually better off with this arrangement even though he’s too blinkered and greedy to recognise it!

[andy]

Who are we kidding
we are all tax dodging temps

[interested]

on what basis would you say somebody is a perma-contract ?
is it based on time @ client - what criteria ?

Time at client
Risk
T&E vs deliverables

So if someone is working at a client on a T&E basis, with no risk built into the contract and is there for say more than a year = perma-temp

[Bluebird]

I'd say about 75% of contractors are perma-temp tax dodgers.

on what basis would you say somebody is a perma-contract ?
is it based on time @ client - what criteria ?

[interested]

Hey guys, I never said being a proper contractor was 'better'. Some contractors are permies though, and I'm not talking about IR35.

I'd say about 75% of contractors are perma-temp tax dodgers.

[Bagpuss]

Hey guys, I never said being a proper contractor was 'better'. Some contractors are permies though, and I'm not talking about IR35.

[ratewhore]

Apart from being a permie or doley, when does a contractor stop being a contractor?

If I source all my gigs myself, never using agents (sorry Denny - EB's), just use PO's and invoices, always based on a deliverable, market myself accordingly, am I a proper business or am I still a contractor?

One of those 'whats it all about' moments...

[TheRightStuff]

a proper contractor =

comes in just before 9 or just after 9. Leaves just after the contracted hours. A minute over that and you say 'Overtime O'Clock'.

Either way you hold your head high and don't try to sneak in/out.

A real contactor has the best lunches in the team.

A more expensive house then their manager and the mortgage is a drop in the ocean.

Nice car/s.

Can listen to their Zen and not big a s*%t

Doesn't work weekends.

Big difference.

[Bluebird]

I never take a contract outside of communte distance, but I also don't stay at the same site for more than 12 months either.


I like the money
I like the variety
I like going home every night to my woman

I don't like living out of a suitcase and being a sad lonely individual who counts barmaids as his/her best mates - so I don't do that bit.

I'm happy - if that makes me a pretend contractor then so be it - I'm still happy.

You with no home and the suitcase - are you happy ?

PS

[lukemg]

Damn - busted. 11 years, 6 companies, only ever worked away for the first one - for 6 months.
Done some hefty commutes though, around the hour - 1.5 hour mark (cue tales of 4 hours through snowstorms).
If you can get home - why not ?

[Maxamus]

...On the other hand if I was single I would be working in Amsterdam living out of a suitcase blowing my cash on coke and whores

im not single and i still do that