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Essential information & guides for freelancers, contractors, consultants & temporary workers.
"What's an Umbrella Company?"
So You Want to be a Contractor
You Landed a Contract Role - What Now?
What is an Umbrella Company?
Umbrella Company Benefits
Umbrella Company Expenses
R.I.P. Paperwork
Umbrella Company Secrets
Umbrella Company Alternatives
IR35 - What? Why? Who?
Umbrella Company FAQ
2011 Umbrella Company Reader Awards
Construction Industry Scheme (CIS)
Create the Perfect CV
Frequently Asked Interview Questions
Dispute Resolution
Offshore & EBT
Calculate your net take home pay
Umbrella Company Guides
Dummies Guide to Contracting & Umbrella Company Services
Simple & Helpful 'How to...' Articles for Contractors
We've got everything a contractor needs to know - you've got a fantastic & free place to help you get the most out of contracting...and certainly the most out of your umbrella company!
From starting out as a contractor to finding the best umbrella company, IR35, claiming business expenses, paperwork & FAQs - look no further!
10 Questions to ask an Umbrella Company
Are you thinking of becoming a contractor? New to contracting? Don't fancy spending hours of your ‘free' time in front of the computer filling in forms and spreadsheets? Then you'll need to know more about umbrella companies.
- What do umbrella companies do?
- How do I pick a good umbrella company?
- What does it cost to join an umbrella company?
- How can I compare different umbrella companies?
If you've just decided to start contracting you might not even know what questions you should be asking your umbrella company. So to make life a lot simpler we've identified exactly what questions you should be thinking about, together with some handy hints on what answers you should be looking for.
Fast Food of Accounting
An umbrella company is simply a ready-made limited company. Think of it as the fast-food of accounting. Umbrella companies started to become popular about ten years ago. In those days there were only a handful of umbrella companies, today you can choose from hundreds.
Given the massive increase in their numbers it's inevitable that some will be better than others - so here's what you should be considering when choosing an umbrella company.
Ten Questions to ask an Umbrella Company
- How much do they charge, and is it a fully inclusive price?
- How many clients do they currently have?
- Can you claim expenses & do you need receipts?
- What insurances are included within the price?
- How quickly will you be paid after sending in your timesheet?
- Will you have a named account manager?
- Is there a complaints procedure?
- What are their opening hours?
- Is there a leaving charge?
- What happens when you want to leave?
Asking these questions should give you an idea of what it will be like working with them. Your relationship with your umbrella company is important, so don't make your decision lightly.
1. What is contracting and how can I become a contractor?
2. You've got the contract, what now?
3. What is an umbrella company?
4. Umbrella company myths
5. Umbrella company FAQs
6. Umbrella company paperwork
7. Umbrella company expenses
8. Calling an umbrella company
9. 10 questions to ask your umbrella company
10. IR35
11. Paying Employer's National Insurance
12. Choosing an umbrella company
13. Umbrella company alternatives