That's not really true. Day rate for a decent SE contractor is about 400/500 (but ofc they don't get that, as mostly private contracting is rare).

But the big thing I disagree with is "most"... the perm industry in the UK is strong!

> but ofc they don't get that, as mostly private contracting is rare

Is it? I've been contracting in the UK (through my own limited company ofc) for the past two years, at the top end of your band, and had no impression that what I do is rare. I'm glad to see this thread actually, for my next gig I'll definitely push for more money.

Directly with the company in question? or through a resourcing firm? my experience (On the other end of that transaction) is that the former is rarer because working through a specialist contract placement firm (e.g. Spring) has various attractions to a company (albeit higher cost).

Shure your really outside IR35 ?

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ to the best of my ability

Why do you say private contracting is rare in the UK? Every software company I've been to here is like 50% contractors.

Most companies will contract through a management firm than with the individual directly.

Not really in the UK - its mostly PLC or Umberella Companies for contractors.

The fake contractor aka a body shop where you are a normal employee of some third party is not that common.

Do you have a source for "most" here? Most of the senior devs I know are full-time non-contractors (though that is quite possibly just a property of my friend group and location (Cambridge)).

£1200 per day? The max day rate for web development I have seen in London was £650/day but normally £550/day. You can also easily earn £90k as a perm in London.

Depends almost 20 years ago in BT we paid that for a High end Oracle contractor.

That day rate might be for a big four consultant 20 years ago it was around £900

Finance is about double that.