Package Question - PM Construction (Landscaping)

[Team Thomson]

Hey to everyone and thanks in advance for any help

My husband has been in discussions with two employment agencies about possible Construction Management (Landscape) and Project Manager (Landscape) jobs. They have asked what his expected salary is and I have no idea. I was thinking somewhere between 30k-40kAED a month base salary plus the usual extras. eg addequate accomodation, flights, relocation, health, car ect . I have no idea if this is what we should expect or if it is too little. My husband has over 15 years experience in Structural Landscaping, and has run his own Company for over 3 years in Australia. We have two children that are under 5. I assume from reading all the other posts that this will be adequate to live off and also save some of it.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks Shannon & Brett.

[Maz25]

Look at the thread entitled 'Expected Salary?'. Crazymazy posted a calculation in there. If you can follow it (he lost me halfway through!), you will be able to calculate a good asking salary. But 30 - 40k + benefits will be very adequate if you can get it! You will need to do some serious negotiations though! If they say no, be prepared to come up with convincing reasons as to why they should say yes! There is nothing that annoys an employer more than someone saying that they deserve more money but then can substantiate that with hard facts!

[Genghis]

Originally Posted by Team Thomson

Hey to everyone and thanks in advance for any help

My husband has been in discussions with two employment agencies about possible Construction Management (Landscape) and Project Manager (Landscape) jobs. They have asked what his expected salary is and I have no idea. I was thinking somewhere between 30k-40kAED a month base salary plus the usual extras. eg addequate accomodation, flights, relocation, health, car ect . I have no idea if this is what we should expect or if it is too little. My husband has over 15 years experience in Structural Landscaping, and has run his own Company for over 3 years in Australia. We have two children that are under 5. I assume from reading all the other posts that this will be adequate to live off and also save some of it.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks Shannon & Brett.

Hi Shannon, if you are moving of your own will (as oppossed to a company transfer) I personally think expectations of 30 - 40K are high if accomodation, car, medical & flights are included. From my negotiations with agents and employers, 30K plus extras in the construction sector would be the upper end of the scale starting out. There may be room to negotiate after a period of time, subject to performance. In construction it seems that employers are offering salaries equivalent to the after tax salaries available in the UK.

I would be careful not to price yourself out of the market if you are intent on moving, but obviously if you guys can take it or leave it then you are in a different position.

Just my experience so dont be put off. Research the threads and let the agency give you guidance (and earn their commission!).

Hope this is some help and everything works out.

[crazymazy1980]

Originally Posted by Maz25

Look at the thread entitled 'Expected Salary?'. Crazymazy posted a calculation in there. If you can follow it (he lost me halfway through!), you will be able to calculate a good asking salary. But 30 - 40k + benefits will be very adequate if you can get it! You will need to do some serious negotiations though! If they say no, be prepared to come up with convincing reasons as to why they should say yes! There is nothing that annoys an employer more than someone saying that they deserve more money but then can substantiate that with hard facts!

Here's the link

Expected Salary?

[Maz25]

Originally Posted by Genghis

I would be careful not to price yourself out of the market if you are intent on moving, but obviously if you guys can take it or leave it then you are in a different position.

Just my experience so dont be put off. Research the threads and let the agency give you guidance (and earn their commission!).

Hope this is some help and everything works out.

Yes, that's very true. An associate will be looking at 45,000 AED per month (all-in), so you are right that it is quite high. I agree that 30k sounds about right! As Genghis has said, do not be too greedy - my friend is still sitting in the UK, with no interest in her CV simply because she is asking for a lot more than she is worth!

[flossie]

Originally Posted by Team Thomson

Hey to everyone and thanks in advance for any help

My husband has been in discussions with two employment agencies about possible Construction Management (Landscape) and Project Manager (Landscape) jobs. They have asked what his expected salary is and I have no idea. I was thinking somewhere between 30k-40kAED a month base salary plus the usual extras. eg addequate accomodation, flights, relocation, health, car ect . I have no idea if this is what we should expect or if it is too little. My husband has over 15 years experience in Structural Landscaping, and has run his own Company for over 3 years in Australia. We have two children that are under 5. I assume from reading all the other posts that this will be adequate to live off and also save some of it.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks Shannon & Brett.

The package you have described (40K + full housing, car, school fees, flights, etc), is about what someone in the oil industry might ask for. (Middle management). The oil industry tends to be higher paid than most. Regardless, it might be the minimum you are prepared to move for, I don't know. I guess you have to decide what would make it worth your while and ask and see? No point for asking less than you are prepared to relocate here for. Coming from Australia, you have to sacrifice quality of life to be here. So unless you're happy with the dollars, you may as well stay where you are. If you did get what you described above, you would be able to live very comfortably. Bear in mind, that you will have to start applying to schools for you oldest ASAP as places are hard to get, especially in the lower primary years and schools have very long waiting lists. I would maybe try and get school fees in the contract for the future, even if it means lowering your basic salary as school fees are expensive and on the rise.

[sgilli3]

Originally Posted by Team Thomson

Hey to everyone and thanks in advance for any help

My husband has been in discussions with two employment agencies about possible Construction Management (Landscape) and Project Manager (Landscape) jobs. They have asked what his expected salary is and I have no idea. I was thinking somewhere between 30k-40kAED a month base salary plus the usual extras. eg addequate accomodation, flights, relocation, health, car ect . I have no idea if this is what we should expect or if it is too little. My husband has over 15 years experience in Structural Landscaping, and has run his own Company for over 3 years in Australia. We have two children that are under 5. I assume from reading all the other posts that this will be adequate to live off and also save some of it.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks Shannon & Brett.

Hi and welcome to the forum,
I feel that the amount you are after may be a little high and think 25,000 - 30,000 dhs may be more realistic.
We know of 2 managers in the landscaping field, and both have a base wage of approx 20,000 dhs a month.
They both receive a very small housing allowance and an annual flight to home country.

Neither have family here.

With 2 children, ideally you will want to have school fees included ( school starts from 3...so it is different from Oz in this sense)

I would also meet with your accountant to discuss your tax liabilities. Yes, the Emirates have no tax on wages, but this does not automatically mean the money you earn here will be tax free.

If you can find an employer willing to pay more AND all of the allowances you will be fine. Just remember- the Emirates isnt a "hardship" posting anymore- people come here as they want to- which means employers can really pick and choose who they want.

[Team Thomson]

Cool thanks everyone for your advice. I wasnt sure what the wages where and we are a bit mislead over here in Aus to what packages are being offered. I am speaking the them on Sunday so I assume they will put me on track as to what packages are being offered. Thanks

[flossie]

Originally Posted by Team Thomson

Cool thanks everyone for your advice. I wasnt sure what the wages where and we are a bit mislead over here in Aus to what packages are being offered. I am speaking the them on Sunday so I assume they will put me on track as to what packages are being offered. Thanks

Oh Yeah. You can't believe half the crap people tell you in Australia about Dubai. (All the taxis are NOT leather seated BMW's, we DON'T all have maids, etc, etc) Everyone over there thinks we're rolling in it because we live in Dubai. I nearly died laughing all the way through the 60 Minutes report shown last year. Good luck with your negotiations.

[Maz25]

Originally Posted by flossie

All the taxis are NOT leather seated BMW's

Lol! Maybe if taxis had leather seats, I would understand why they are always trying rip us off!!! I would even pay extra for the nice ride!