• Visitors can check out the Forum FAQ by clicking this link. You have to register before you can post: click the REGISTER link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. View our Forum Privacy Policy.
  • Want to receive the latest contracting news and advice straight to your inbox? Sign up to the ContractorUK newsletter here. Every sign up will also be entered into a draw to WIN £100 Amazon vouchers!

Contracting London versus Manchester

Collapse
X
  •  
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

    Contracting London versus Manchester

    Is London, a better place to be a contractor (ie. more work), or is it about

    the same as say Manchester, has anyone out there tried it,

    #2
    it depends.
    on many factors.
    1) where do you live?
    2) do you have to stay overnight?
    3) do you like to eat out?
    4) do you like your warm flat beer with a head or not?
    5) where in London? Croydon is not nice but it's cheaper.
    6) ditto for Manchester. Mosside.....

    other than that there's not a lot to say. London work can pay more, but not always. London can be more expensive to stay, but not always.

    HTH
    See You Next Tuesday

    Comment


      #3
      Well London will have more just on a scale of quantities really won't it.
      'CUK forum personality of 2011 - Winner - Yes really!!!!

      Comment


        #4
        Wherever you base yourself you'll tend to find the first contracts that turn up are at the other end of the country, so maybe compromise and go for Birmingham.

        Personally I've avoided central London with nearest contracts being outside the M25 or just within at not much worse rate than central, so avoided trains, congestion charge, parking extortion, and can be on the motorway home much easier.

        Generally be prepared to work away during the week and all that entails, or willing to wait around 'on the bench' for longer stints to find something closer to home, unless you are specialising in something in high demand where you can probably negotiate significant WFH anyway.

        There will be more opportunities around London but a lot more fellow contractors going for them, so you either need to be very good, very lucky, or very patient, or all three.
        Last edited by Hobosapien; 15 April 2019, 07:21.
        Maybe tomorrow, I'll want to settle down. Until tomorrow, I'll just keep moving on.

        Comment


          #5
          And will also depend on:

          7) Your skillset and contracting history.

          I'm from the NW and have spent the last 2 years in London contracting.

          It's far more expensive (hotels/flat, trains, food etc) but I enjoyed it.

          Comment


            #6
            It depends on your sector experience, Finance is and always will be in London but Government jobs are slowly moving out of London to the NW or Yorkshire
            Originally posted by Stevie Wonder Boy
            I can't see any way to do it can you please advise?

            I want my account deleted and all of my information removed, I want to invoke my right to be forgotten.

            Comment


              #7
              Am surprised anyone bothered to respond to the randomness of this one...

              Define 'better'.

              If just 'more work', then answering Yes should suffice.

              And questions invariably end with a '?', not a ',' .

              Comment


                #8
                Originally posted by ContractorMike View Post
                Is London, a better place to be a contractor (ie. more work), or is it about

                the same as say Manchester, has anyone out there tried it,
                I'm from the north west and hardly ever get work here - in the last 18 years I'd say I've managed 4 years on a daily commutable role - It is always London or Edinburgh. I seem to be getting more jobs based in Edinburgh over the last 5 years- the rates are better than the north west but not up there with London. But the costs to stay in Edinburgh are not as much as London - except for August!
                Rule Number 1 - Assuming that you have a valid contract in place always try to get your poo onto your timesheet, provided that the timesheet is valid for your current contract and covers the period of time that you are billing for.

                I preferred version 1!

                Comment


                  #9
                  Unless you're looking for contracts in mining or whippet racing, London is definitely the better bet.

                  Comment


                    #10
                    And London has its zones also

                    Canary Wharf- top sexy younger people, best rates, women in high heels, no t-shirts to work - suited and booted

                    City - older contractor, suited and booted, no women

                    Rest (London Bridge etc) - lower rates, jeans and t shirts flip flops - lager drinkers types


                    Sent from my iPhone using Contractor UK Forum

                    Comment

                    Working...
                    X