Umbrella recommendation?

McBain · 20 Apr 2023 at 11:54

Hello all

I recently got laid off from my web development job, looking at potential new opportunities and some of them are contracting rather than perm.

I think an Umbrella would be simplest for me given I have no limited company, but there seems to be quite a few out there.

Can anyone recommend a reliable one please? I don't want the tax man on my case

Thanks
Aaron

Maccy · 20 Apr 2023 at 12:03

If you're going to do it longer term (longer than 6 months in fact) then I'd definitely consider going down the limited company route to maximise your earnings.

Throrik · 20 Apr 2023 at 14:58

I agree with Maccy - when I first did contracting it was all government and inside IR35 so I had to use an umbrella, I used Parasol - they managed everything fairly well for me - but I only did it for about 6 months.

McBain · 20 Apr 2023 at 20:30

Thanks both

Maccy · 20 Apr 2023 at 21:11

There’s a few of us on here who can provide help and guidance if you need it

HangTime · 21 Apr 2023 at 16:13

I used Paystream when I was an inside IR35 contractor, I found them pretty good in the sense of:

Did all the basics correctly without issue like paying me on time, providing payslips etc (I know that's the minimum you expect, but it's also the really important stuff!)
Easy to get hold of UK call centre on the phone on the rare occasion I needed to discuss anything

Converge · 25 Apr 2023 at 11:14

HangTime said:
I used Paystream when I was an inside IR35 contractor, I found them pretty good in the sense of:

Did all the basics correctly without issue like paying me on time, providing payslips etc (I know that's the minimum you expect, but it's also the really important stuff!)

Easy to get hold of UK call centre on the phone on the rare occasion I needed to discuss anything

Same, that’s who I’ve been using. Don’t seem to really put a foot wrong, though I think some other places may have lower / no pension admin fees etc.

Maccy · 13 Feb 2024 at 14:45

@HangTime @Converge hey guys, are you guys still using Paystream? I might be landing an inside IR35 role so considering umbrella companies to use.

Converge · 13 Feb 2024 at 15:37

Maccy said:
@HangTime @Converge hey guys, are you guys still using Paystream? I might be landing an inside IR35 role so considering umbrella companies to use.

I’ve not been working for a while. But if I was going to get a contract inside, then sure I’d go with them again. No reason not to, unless there’s a price hike or something!

HangTime · 14 Feb 2024 at 15:27

No I'm not contracting at the moment. As above though I'd probably just go back to them if I was because it was low hassle, maybe I could save a few quid with some other mob but tbh their monthly fees are the equivalent of less than an hours earnings, I'd rather pay that money than risk some other firm being less efficient.

Did they pay me the correct amount on time? Yes.
Did they provide me with the relevant paperwork? Yes.
Did they have a competent native english speaker on the phone when I needed to speak to somebody? Yes.

If the above 3 boxes are ticked there's not much else I need from them.