Can you re-negotiate your rate?

If you start a 1099 gig and you find out you left some money on the table, you may be wondering if you can re-negotiate.

The answer is, yes! You absolutely, can re-negotiate. Whether you get what you want is another question.

The same principles for any negotiation apply though:

• Assess how valuable you are to the prime and to the government client
• Come up with an acceptable plan B in case you don't get what you want
• Get leverage

I did this a few years ago when I renegotiated my rate from $160 to $180.

I knew I was valuable to the client and prime because I was the only person who could do the work on the team and I was hard to replace.

I had a second project I was simultaneously support, so worst case was I could just stop working for this prime.

Because I had second project, I could just walk away, which was also a form of leverage.

I pitched the higher rate (which was way high) and they said no. However, they did come back with a rate that was acceptable to me and a few more hours and I accepted.

I was polite and courteous the whole time, but always hinted that I might walk if we couldn't agree to terms.

There may be legitimate reasons why the prime can't meet your terms. BUT, let them try to come up with a way to keep you happy. Don't try to solve the problem for them. You may be surprised and how much flexibility they have.

Want the full playbook? Check out Going 1099.