Help for an 18yr old Choosing Umbrella!

[Motty123]

Good afternoon all,

My son who is 18 has recently been offered is first role as an IT contractor within the Public Sector. He has been told that he needs to invoice as a contractor to get paid and I have been looking at Umbrella Co's to get him started, rather than setting up his own Company. It is a complete minefield for me and him, even when trying to look at comparison sites I'm not sure if these are misleading.

The last thing I want is to register him with a Company that has no real reputation or history. I can see from some previous threads that "Contractor Umbrella" seem quite helpful, and I have asked them to send some info through.

Would anyone put our mind at ease and suggest a handful of Umbrella Co's that he should consider for his first job...he's on relatively low day rate, as you would expect!

Many thanks all,
Motty

[cojak]

Hi Motty,

Please take a look at this thread http://forums.contractoruk.com/umbre...ey-differ.html

Basically, the only difference in costs between companies will be in the umbrella's commission and the quality of their customer service.

I can't help as I've not used an umbrella, but do any regulars use a legitimate umbrella other that CU? (For the sake of balance Lucy. )

[northernladuk]

IMO he should be looking for a good permie job or an apprenticeship so he can start on a career ladder. The money might look appealing to him now but he's not going get any progression.

But to answer your question Contractor Umbrella is the only one I'd recommend. They are the only one I've used and can't see why you'd want to go anywhere else tbh.

[stek]

IMO he should be looking for a good permie job or an apprenticeship so he can start on a career ladder. The money might look appealing to him now but he's not going get any progression.

But to answer your question Contractor Umbrella is the only.one I'd recommend.

Look - that iPad ship has sailed, time to move on, mate.

BTW did you ever get that Fondue set off Gorilla Accounting?

[lucyclarityumbrella]

Hi Motty123, if you need anything please just say and I will come straight back to you

[BrilloPad]

If your son is not old enough to sort this out himself he is not fit to be at work.

He needs to get more real world experience....

[eek]

If your son is not old enough to sort this out himself he is not fit to be at work.

He needs to get more real world experience....

I would go for the opposite - he's sensible and wise enough not to be running into something without asking people first - yes I know its his mum but at least he's asked someone.

Personally I'm unsure here - the risk of going contracting is that you won't ever progress beyond where you are but equally its likely that a permanent job won't improve things here. The one thing he needs to know is to grasp any opportunity that comes his way and make the most of it and as this is inside IR35 there is no reason not to do so....

I don't think contracting aged 18 is a good idea but I suspect that the fact its a contract has far more to do with the end company than with him as they will be using contracting to avoid internal politics or headcount issues.... The issue is going to be finding a decent umbrella that isn't that expensive...

[gables]

I have found Contractor Umbrella very helpful when looking to use an umbrella, however, current agent had a list of three and unfortunately they weren't on it. So I have ended up using Paystream, who were extremely helpful prior to engagement and have been excellent throughout.

[BrilloPad]

I would go for the opposite - he's sensible and wise enough not to be running into something without asking people first - yes I know its his mum but at least he's asked someone.

Personally I'm unsure here - the risk of going contracting is that you won't ever progress beyond where you are but equally its likely that a permanent job won't improve things here. The one thing he needs to know is to grasp any opportunity that comes his way and make the most of it and as this is inside IR35 there is no reason not to do so....

I don't think contracting aged 18 is a good idea but I suspect that the fact its a contract has far more to do with the end company than with him as they will be using contracting to avoid internal politics or headcount issues.... The issue is going to be finding a decent umbrella that isn't that expensive...

I agree. However if a child of mine asked the same question I would point them in the direction of CUK and tell them to create an account and do a post.