1st September 2005, 10:05 PM
Another facet
About 10 years ago I told a senior NT manager my rates as a freelance/self-employed surveyor were ?100 per day.
Her reaction?
"That's over ?36,000 a year - even I don't earn that"
Then I explained that while there are 365 days in the year, 104 are weekends, 11 or so bank holidays, 25 might be spent on leave (ho ho), leaving around 225 days available in the year. Then running a business, doing accounts, training, submitting tenders, site visits, meetings and other none-paid but costly excercises could account for another 75 days a year, leaving 150 days available for paid work, which may or may not be fully booked.
She wasn't convinced, even when I pointed out that her pay for days she actually worked came to ?200/day as an employee, excluding pension, sick pay, paid leave, training etc.
I doubt many consultants are getting paid excessive amounts - I would say ?300-500/day is what to aim for - anything over ?800 is excessive, but good on anyone who manages to persuade someone they are worth it.
About 10 years ago I told a senior NT manager my rates as a freelance/self-employed surveyor were ?100 per day.
Her reaction?
"That's over ?36,000 a year - even I don't earn that"
Then I explained that while there are 365 days in the year, 104 are weekends, 11 or so bank holidays, 25 might be spent on leave (ho ho), leaving around 225 days available in the year. Then running a business, doing accounts, training, submitting tenders, site visits, meetings and other none-paid but costly excercises could account for another 75 days a year, leaving 150 days available for paid work, which may or may not be fully booked.
She wasn't convinced, even when I pointed out that her pay for days she actually worked came to ?200/day as an employee, excluding pension, sick pay, paid leave, training etc.
I doubt many consultants are getting paid excessive amounts - I would say ?300-500/day is what to aim for - anything over ?800 is excessive, but good on anyone who manages to persuade someone they are worth it.