Umbrella Companies??

[Marbles]

Can anyone recommend an umbrella company to use. The Giant Strongbox option has been suggested to me. Has anyone had any experience with Giant and is there anyone better I could use?

Thanks

[~Craig~]

Wait for the 30 posts of "Setup a LTD company....................."

Have a look at no-longer limited.

[planetit]

Never, ever have anything to do with Giant. I did once and I only just managed to get out with my sanity.

Remember the people recommending Giant are most likely on commission.

[Marbles]

Umbrella Companies

What happened to you or should I say what did they do?

[insight14]

The umbrella that gets the most plaudits on here is Parasol. Giant gets panned.

[DimPrawn]

Go limited or wait until your money goes bye bye like 90% of the other "tax efficient" IT contractor umbrella schemes. See posts on "Safe Solutions" (safe my arse).

[ladymuck]

ooh, deja-vu! I used JSA, I think I might have recently mentioned that somewhere else too!

[s2budd]

Just Don't !

My money is in my bank account where I control it.
Anything else is just crazy.

I would not do anything else than go the limited company route if I were you.
It is more hassle but at least you will not get any nasty suprises.

[ladymuck]

I only used an umbrella for three months on my first contract while deciding whether to stick with it or go back to being a permie. Wouldn't recommend using them long term, you lose way too much money!

[Xenophon]

I only used an umbrella for three months on my first contract while deciding whether to stick with it or go back to being a permie. Wouldn't recommend using them long term, you lose way too much money!

I agree. I have used Giant incidentally and have never had an issue. Your own company is a much better long-term bet though.

Check out the First Timers guide on the main CUK site. Also lots of useful info on the PCG site.

CUK First Timers Guide

PCG Freelancing Info