Benefits Of Long Contract Vs Short Contract

[DeludedAussie]

First time here so please be gentle -

Hypothetically what is better from a contractors view point:

A 12 month contract or a 6 month? I suppose one could argue that you can renew in 6 months and ask for a pay increase

Similarly would you take a slightly lower rate of there was a 3 month notice period for either side?

I am trying to weigh up a new offer that has just been made

[SofaKingdom]

First time here so please be gentle -

Hypothetically what is better from a contractors view point:

A 12 month contract or a 6 month? I suppose one could argue that you can renew in 6 months and ask for a pay increase

Unless you have added significant, measurable value in the first 6 months you are likely to be easily fobbed off when asking for an increase. A guaranteed 12 months work would be my choice every time.

Similarly would you take a slightly lower rate of there was a 3 month notice period for either side?

Why would the fact that they are so restrictive mean you should drop your rate. Doesn't really come into it for me but I think you could argue for a higher rate with those restrictive terms.

[Drewster]

The one thats on offer.....

I don't worry about hypothetical..... If the role is a goodun then its a goodun.... you could get extended.... you could get canned..... all sorts could happen.....

[gingerjedi]

First time here so please be gentle -

Hypothetically what is better from a contractors view point:

A 12 month contract or a 6 month? I suppose one could argue that you can renew in 6 months and ask for a pay increase

Similarly would you take a slightly lower rate of there was a 3 month notice period for either side?

I am trying to weigh up a new offer that has just been made

1 week if you're lucky.

[Sysman]

Unless you have added significant, measurable value in the first 6 months you are likely to be easily fobbed off when asking for an increase. A guaranteed 12 months work would be my choice every time.

Or do what I did on one 12 monther. Before I started I asked for a review at the 3 month mark. I got it.

[DeludedAussie]

Why would the fact that they are so restrictive mean you should drop your rate. Doesn't really come into it for me but I think you could argue for a higher rate with those restrictive terms.

My question is whether having a 3 month notice period is valuable for the contractor? I would have to push for this to be the case and accept a slightly (5%) less rate.

My thinking is that this provides insurance should I get booted out as I would have three months to find a new gig

Do you see that?

[NotAllThere]

They're not obliged to give you work during that three months. You only get paid when you work. So a three month notice period is useless.

[SofaKingdom]

My thinking is that this provides insurance

My thinking is that this is permie thinking and that your thinking is flawed. As NAT says, long notice periods are of very little value in the contracting world.

[VectraMan]

You're never going to get a three month notice period from them, and as others have said it's worthless anyway. Agents like to sell you on longer contracts as a way of getting you to accept a lower rate, but all the term actually means for certain is you're agreeing the rate for that long. Longer term is of no benefit to you, only to them, especially if you have no ability to give notice.

[DeludedAussie]

They're not obliged to give you work during that three months. You only get paid when you work. So a three month notice period is useless.

As a newbie and not knowing enough about contracting can you just confirm whether you are certain as far as that is concerned?

A notice period is a notice period - If they do not have work for you do they not pay you 'gardening leave'?