Be Excellent To Each Other

Well, I really can't stand my survive-the-recession permie job for much longer. I'm getting a fair few emails for contracts I could do with one hand behind my back even though I've not contacted an agent since the start of the recession, so I'm thinking it might be time to go back to contracting.

I can't be arsed with setting up a limited company and finding accountants just to test the waters, though, so I was wondering if going through an umbrella company might be an option.

Does anybody have experience using an umbrella company, or know where I could find out more from real people (as opposed to advertising bumph)?

I work for one.

Umbrella is a good way to start out but ltd company is much more tax efficient once you're happy enough with the contracting lifestyle.

The best way to make the most of an umbrella company is to make sure you claim for your expenses. Otherwise you're not making up for the fact that the umbrella will be taking your employer's NIC from your invoice value before working out your pay.

Any offshore schemes that claim to offer 90% retention are invariably forms of EBT schemes that should be avoided.

Any of giant, orange genie, parasol or crystal umbrella are decent. crystal have the most accurate take home 'pay' calculator.

Fulton are OK, though I find the handbag style ones a little flimsy.

Thread and joke have been done before

Boo.

Thanks for the advice Trousers, and the pointer to the other thread Devilman! (And thankyou to Mimi for the wet weather gear advice.)

I wasn't aware of the other thread, though I suppose the similar subheading comes from the same anticipation that people will get carried away with Resi jokes and not actually offer up any real advice if you don't pre-empt them.