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Generally a client can end your contract pretty much at any time without recourse. If you're client doesn't have mutability of obligation clause, that allows t

Generally a client can end your contract pretty much at any time without recourse. If you're client doesn't have mutability of obligation clause, that allows this irregardless of notice period, you probably fall under ir35. So this advice is based on that, but obviously if you're good and marketable, you'll probably be OK. I myself really became a contractor after a relationship breakup when I was in about over £3000 O/D, a mortgage to pay and about £4300 credit limit. Discussed this with agent, they agreed to pay me the day they were paid and I drove 400 miles for a contract which wasn't actually signed by the client yet. Luckily, they were happy to see me on the Monday, and I got paid at about £4200 into that limit. This was 2 years ago. Now I probably earn 5+ times my highest perm salary, so in my case the gamble was super worth it, but if you're not somewhat charismatic and decent at your job with a marketable skill, it could go the other way.

acaloiar 11y ago
Agreed. To shed some more light on my strategy: * I planned to exit the company months in advance. * Signed two clients * I was a director of a small development team. I architected much of the company's critical infrastructure (most importantly, credit card/payment processing) and knew that I could leverage my knowledge to negotiate an advisory contract. * Put in my notice * Signed ex employer as my third client with weekly payment and a two month minimum. They obviously could have broken the minimum agreement, but kept me on until I severed the contract several months later. Weekly payment was key. A little strategy can go a long way, but obviously it could have turned out much differently for me. And as noted, this is purely anecdotal. While four months buffer is generally wise, it is not de facto necessary.

acaloiar 11y ago

Agreed. To shed some more light on my strategy: * I planned to exit the company months in advance. * Signed two clients * I was a director of a small development team. I architected much of the company's critical infrastructure (most importantly, credit card/payment processing) and knew that I could leverage my knowledge to negotiate an advisory contract. * Put in my notice * Signed ex employer as my third client with weekly payment and a two month minimum. They obviously could have broken the minimum agreement, but kept me on until I severed the contract several months later. Weekly payment was key. A little strategy can go a long way, but obviously it could have turned out much differently for me. And as noted, this is purely anecdotal. While four months buffer is generally wise, it is not de facto necessary.