Permanent to Contracting (IT) - anyone done the move?

Soldato
Joined
12 Feb 2004
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7,373
Location
Manchester
Been working with my current employer (IT Services) for 9 years now and been thinking over last few weeks that a move is on the cards

Not really happy here any more, work is getting stale, no sign of any promotions or pay increase and the management is a joke, we have had really good techies up and go and its all falling to pot (in my eyes, not theirs!)

Been doing searches around for contract jobs as i think this is the way to go now, spoken to agencies who all say i need to be available relatively quickly, they like my CV and think i should have no issues securing contracts moving on, only thing is i have a 4 week notice

so my dilemma is, do i hand in my notice now, wait till week 2 of it and start hammering down on the job applications, or wait till i try secure a contract then hand in my notice (which from looking, its not easy applying for a contrract to start in 4 weeks unless i get lucky). catch 22

money is not an issue, i have savings to support my self well into next year.

of course its a big leap, from being comfortable getting fixed salary, going into the world of the unknown but it does excite me

ive already registered a LTD, need to do business bank account and accountant next

anyone made the leap and offer some advice?

many thanks
 
so just an update, handed notice in on Friday

had me in today with management (3 of them), saying how bad contracting was and basically wanted to change my mind

anyway they want to take me on as a contractor until end of year as my 4 week notice is too short for them to get a replacement and recruit

they want me to give them a a daily rate so they can compare to market and decide

idea was to leave and have a fresh start, any pointers?
 
might as well ask for a fat daily rate that represents both an increase above the offer you've already got and takes into account potential extra tax

if they're unable to replace you so quickly then they should have given you a longer notice period - that is their fault, no need for you to feel guilty

if i do this, how do i "accept" IR35 so i wont get flagged for investigation?

would it be easier to go via an umbrella as IR35 will not apply, its only until the end of the year.
 
another update

i told my employer i can contract at £200 a day until end of year on a month by month basis

they came back with a £160 a day offer, im tempted to meet them at £180 absolute lowest otherwise not worth it for me

what you reckon?
 
What do you do? I personally don't think it's worth contracting for less than £200 a day.

basically Third Line IT Infrastructure.

thing is i do not want to be here and with the unknown fact about contracting and time to get a contract, this could be my way in and looks good on CV that i have already contracted, albeit for 3 months.

that would leave me with enough cash to have Xmas off and then start looking for work in Jan

or leave end of Sept and start fresh :)
 
so just an update on this and to close the thread

handed notice in at work (4 week notice)

they asked me to stay on as contractor but would not pay me my asking rate

2 weeks into my notice whilst i was looking for contracts, I had an offer for a permie role close by to home and and at a decent salary

went for interview (1st one in 9 years), got the job 2 days later

starting in October

im on my last 3 days notice at current place and looking forward to the change

so my dream of going from permie to contracting didn't happen this time around but made me get up from my "comfort" zone and secured a new job with a large salary increase

going to wait a few weeks to see how i get on then i need to close my LTD and Business bank account which i had setup for contracting


Thanks again for all support and advice :)
 
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