Insights for Microsoft contractors
Contractor workload
39 hours
The freelancers that took part in our survey work an average of 39 hours a week—with 5% telling us they work over 60 hours a week
7 months
Average total contract length: 7 months
2 years and 6 months
Longest contract length: 2 years and 6 months
22%
Percentage of freelancers that have worked on projects that have lasted 12 months or more: 22%
3 clients
Average number of current clients: 3
34%
Percentage of freelancers only working for one client: 34%
How to increase your contract rate
It’s no secret that contracting has a high earning potential—it’s what attracts many Microsoft Cloud professionals to freelance work in the first place. But how much should you be charging for your skills? Underestimating your worth can be a costly mistake, especially with current economic turbulence and a spiraling cost of living, meaning it (quite literally) pays to get your price right.
So, what can you do to maximize your market value and boost your contract rates?
Strengthen soft skills
Build your professional brand
Stay aware of scope creep
Attraction and retention
What makes a contractor accept a contract offer?
82%
Earning potential
81%
53%
51%
Flexible hours
| Duration of project | 41% |
| Number of hours or days per week | 34% |
| Management philosophy | 32% |
| The industry the project/organization is in | 28% |
| Complexity of project | 27% |
| Quality standards | 27% |
| Size of project | 20% |
| Other | 1% |
| Duration of project | 41% |
| Number of hours or days per week | 34% |
| Management philosophy | 32% |
| The industry the project/organization is in | 28% |
| Complexity of project | 27% |
| Quality standards | 27% |
| Size of project | 20% |
| Other | 1% |
What are the key attributes you need to be a contractor?
What challenges do you face working as a contractor?
| Finding new customers | 51% |
| Networking | 28% |
| Work-life balance | 26% |
| Unrealistic expectations of clients | 23% |
| What to do in periods of no work | 23% |
| Keeping up to date with admin | 22% |
| There is lots of competition | 19% |
| Clients changing the scope of a project | 19% |
| Time management | 16% |
| Lack of communication from clients | 16% |
| Procrastination/motivation | 14% |
| Knowing when to refuse a project because it's unsuitable | 14% |
| Late customer payments/invoicing | 13% |
| Knowing when to refuse a project because I already have enough work | 8% |
| None | 7% |
| Finding new customers | 51% |
| Networking | 28% |
| Work-life balance | 26% |
| Unrealistic expectations of clients | 23% |
| What to do in periods of no work | 23% |
| Keeping up to date with admin | 22% |
| There is lots of competition | 19% |
| Clients changing the scope of a project | 19% |
| Time management | 16% |
| Lack of communication from clients | 16% |
| Procrastination/motivation | 14% |
| Knowing when to refuse a project because it's unsuitable | 14% |
| Late customer payments/invoicing | 13% |
| Knowing when to refuse a project because I already have enough work | 8% |
| None | 7% |
For Microsoft freelancers, finding new clients remains the top challenge. Interestingly, networking has moved into second place, while work-life balance, previously the second biggest concern, has shifted to third. This change reflects evolving dynamics in the freelance landscape.
Consistently the primary concern reported by consultants, the difficulty of finding new clients, combined with the challenges of building a strong network, underscores the importance of effective client relationships, visibility, and strategic marketing for sustained success.
Reasons for leaving a contract before it was completed
We surveyed freelancers about instances in which they left a project before completion and asked them to share their reasons, which included:
21%
17%
13%
13%
| Contract breaches by the client | 11% |
| Unfulfilled promises by the client | 11% |
| Ethical concerns or disagreements | 10% |
| Disinterest in the project | 10% |
| Personal or family emergencies | 9% |
| Dispute over contract terms | 7% |
| Conflicts with the client or team members | 7% |
| I’ve never left a project before it was completed | 42% |
| Other | 2% |
| Contract breaches by the client | 11% |
| Unfulfilled promises by the client | 11% |
| Ethical concerns or disagreements | 10% |
| Disinterest in the project | 10% |
| Personal or family emergencies | 9% |
| Dispute over contract terms | 7% |
| Conflicts with the client or team members | 7% |
| I’ve never left a project before it was completed | 42% |
| Other | 2% |
What do freelancers think about a contract that includes a minimum or guaranteed number of hours?
What advice would contractors give to those considering a freelance career?
- Keep your skills current
- Cultivate a diverse skill set
- Set aside savings to anticipate periods of no work
- Develop a strong professional network before you start
- Budget for the benefits that you’d miss out on from a permanent employer
- Learn to say no and don’t take on every project that comes your way
- Be sure to manage your time effectively
- Make sure you’re self-motivated
Data Engineer, South Africa
Conclusion
The flexibility, autonomy, and variety that contracting offers can make it a rewarding and lucrative career path for many Microsoft professionals.
If you’re a permanent employee considering a move into freelancing, it’s wise to build a broad skill set and invest time in developing a strong professional network beforehand.
For those already contracting, the key is to set realistic workloads, allocate time for administrative tasks, and stay proactive about payment follow-ups. Remember to leverage your communication skills and adaptability to keep both your projects and professional relationships on track.
