Considerations/questions for contract work

[Deleted]

In my industry (IT, I'm a business analyst), contract work is really common, I've just never done it. I have a job opportunity and interview on Monday AM, it's a long term contract to hire position. It pays well, hourly, no benefits and no vacation. I can get benefits through H so that's NBD. I will be making almost 30k more/year if I worked full time, so I can 'afford' to take time off, but I don't yet know the policies around it. 

I don't know what to ask though, or what to consider. Anyone worked contract/hire contractors and can give me some advice?

Some of you may remember that I'm pretty sure my division at work is shutting down while I'm on mat leave, so I don't expect to have a job to go back to. I'd happily wait to apply for jobs but this one sounds interesting and it's 5 minutes from my house (I currently commute 40 each way). 

Thanks

[redheadbaker]

It's hard to say what to expect. Will you be paid through a staffing agency? I've had awesome contracts, and I've had contracts from hell. It depends on the staffing agency, the client company, the people you'd be working with, etc.

Personally, I hate contract work, and have been trying to get out of it forever. I hate how unstable contract work is. Even if it's "contract to hire," there's no guarantee you'll get hired. You could be scrambling at the end of the contract to find new work. They could end your contract early.

[Deleted]

Is this through an agency or would you be a,contractor? If the latter, you need to consider that you are not an employee And therefore are liable for self employment tax. So while you will make more, your taxes will be higher.