How do you feel about taking a rate cut for your next contract?

[badger7579]

It could depend on travel or the industry. If it were an area of industry I wanted to enter then I'd be prepared to drop my rate to get the experience. It also depends on market conditions. As stated before in these times rates are getting squeezed although from a personal point of view things seem to be picking up. Since starting contracting I've gone from 325/day to 450, 385, 350 and now 420 so ups and downs.

[ChrisPackit]

If you use the early years to smash your personal inflation, and to set things up right, you can easily keep the same rate going for a decade, and STILL see your quality of life increase.

I think you're right EO. At this rate, I'll be upgrading my house to an inside toilet very soon

[EternalOptimist]

On the principle of progressing though, which is you main point, I have found the opposite.

If you use the early years to smash your personal inflation, and to set things up right, you can easily keep the same rate going for a decade, and STILL see your quality of life increase.

[2BIT]

Just a train of thought here, but I would like to think that I would progress with each contract, and that the rate that I accepted would increase too. I think it's a natural progression as I get stronger professionally and that my rate would increase with inflation, cost of living etc etc.

However, a role maybe on the cards which would mean a £150 / week hit, but I have worked there before, it's a good place to work, lots of totty, closer to home etc.

But I can't get out of the mentality of "I'm going backwards not forwards" - then I look at it another way, and think I could be benched so think yourself lucky...

Is this just the peaks and troughs of contracting, or do you guys get into the same way of thinking ...

is that 150 net? if it's closer to home you could well recover that through lower travel outgoings, could you not try and see if they would meet you half way? even a little increase is better than nothing - i suppose its like anything if your getting an easier life is worth accepting a little less dosh just as if you were thinking about a role 400 miles away you would probably up your rate.

[The_Equalizer]

My sequence went:
1996-1997 contract £216 a day (weekly commute),
1997 -1998 permie job on £30K (daily commute)
1998 -contract on £450 a day (weekly commute),
1999-2000 contract on £640 a day (daily commute, 7 hour days!)
2000-2001 permie job on ~£60K

Since then I've had one more permie job, then contracts. I've only recently exceeded the £640 a day, and that's mainly because of the exchange rate with the Swiss Franc! And that's involving working from home, or in an office 20 mins away.

What I've always gone for is a) to be working and b) to get the top rate given my skillset, and the market. In 2000, I went permie because my contract ended, and the best I could get was £300 a day.

Interesting to know that you have happily swapped in and out of the permie world. I am having a little think about this myself what with a slight change in personal circumstance. Could do with a 'safe haven' for a short while.

[NickFitz]

What's the profit?

I've taken a slight rate cut to be close to home, but the reduced travel and accomodation costs mean I get the same profit. Add to that, it's rather nice to spend every night at home after 6 years of mainly staying away from home and discover that Lady Tester and I are still capable of spending every night together without war breaking out at Tester Manor.

WMTTS, although in my case the benefit is in being close to the cardiac care unit I have to go to for check ups

[NotAllThere]

My sequence went:
1996-1997 contract £216 a day (weekly commute),
1997 -1998 permie job on £30K (daily commute)
1998 -contract on £450 a day (weekly commute),
1999-2000 contract on £640 a day (daily commute, 7 hour days!)
2000-2001 permie job on ~£60K

Since then I've had one more permie job, then contracts. I've only recently exceeded the £640 a day, and that's mainly because of the exchange rate with the Swiss Franc! And that's involving working from home, or in an office 20 mins away.

What I've always gone for is a) to be working and b) to get the top rate given my skillset, and the market. In 2000, I went permie because my contract ended, and the best I could get was £300 a day.

[MaryPoppins]

WTAS

Hard to objectively compare rates from contract to contract these days. Just be thankful you've got one.

[MarillionFan]

What's the profit?

I've taken a slight rate cut to be close to home, but the reduced travel and accomodation costs mean I get the same profit. Add to that, it's rather nice to spend every night at home after 6 years of mainly staying away from home and discover that Lady Tester and I are still capable of spending every night together without war breaking out at Tester Manor.

WHS. I've taken a £45 per day drop on a contract. Travel to 1st gig was 90 mile round trip(M3) and was taking 1 - 1.5 hours one way dependent on traffic. New gig takes 3 minutes(8 if you include walks to the car)

I'm happy to drop the rate.

[VectraMan]

Yes, but in reality I take what I can get. My highest rate was just before the recession hit, which I've never got back to though the last gig was only £10pd less.

[amcdonald]

If works bad for your skillset its better to have something than nothing, worst case you can take it and leave when something better comes along

[Mich the Tester]

What's the profit?

I've taken a slight rate cut to be close to home, but the reduced travel and accomodation costs mean I get the same profit. Add to that, it's rather nice to spend every night at home after 6 years of mainly staying away from home and discover that Lady Tester and I are still capable of spending every night together without war breaking out at Tester Manor.

[SueEllen]

Peaks and troughs.

Repeat clients look good on your company brochure.

[ChrisPackit]

Just a train of thought here, but I would like to think that I would progress with each contract, and that the rate that I accepted would increase too. I think it's a natural progression as I get stronger professionally and that my rate would increase with inflation, cost of living etc etc.

However, a role maybe on the cards which would mean a £150 / week hit, but I have worked there before, it's a good place to work, lots of totty, closer to home etc.

But I can't get out of the mentality of "I'm going backwards not forwards" - then I look at it another way, and think I could be benched so think yourself lucky...

Is this just the peaks and troughs of contracting, or do you guys get into the same way of thinking ...