Umbrella Companies

[Parisno]

First of all hello to everyone.

I have just taken a redundancy package, and have secured a 3 month contract while I decide what to do next, as I am not sure if I will continue as a contractor or find a permanent role, it seems an umbrella company is the simplest option for this first 3 months, has anybody any advice on good and bad ones, seems to be so many around!

[Lucifer Box]

Do a search on this forum. You will find lots of opinion about many umbrellas.

Most people here favour own Ltd and specialist accountant.

[Parisno]

Do a search on this forum. You will find lots of opinion about many umbrellas.

Most people here favour own Ltd and specialist accountant.

Lots of opinion on who not to use yes, but I can't seem to find any recomendations (yet, still reading). As I don't know if I intend to stay contracting it seems a bit of a waste of time setting up a ltd for one 3 month contract.

[Mordac]

Decent umbrella companies have become endangered species lately.

[Lucifer Box]

Try the search criteria "umbrella" and "recommendation"

[boredsenseless]

Try the search criteria "umbrella" and "recommendation"

Obviously having seen what has happened to decent umbrellas recently as a result of referals increasing business to a level they couldn't manage I'd keep it to myself if I was happy with my umbrella in case they went the same way

[Xtrain]

Umbrellas

Parisno - there were a couple of umbrellas that were well respected in the industry and this forum but unfortunately recent events seem to have blown that respect away. I've done both ltd and umbrella and ltd is defo the way to go. Itsi the only sure way to have control over your money. Put someone else in the chain and problems just keep cropping up. I know loads of people who thought they would just do 3 months contracting and have ended up being in the game for years.

[Parisno]

Thanks for the replies guys, if I decide to continue after the first 3 months I will go with a ltd, but for now it seems like Parasol or Orange Genie, but all the recomendations seem a couple of years out of date, anybody with either of these 2 now?

[Pondlife]

Thanks for the replies guys, if I decide to continue after the first 3 months I will go with a ltd, but for now it seems like Parasol or Orange Genie, but all the recomendations seem a couple of years out of date, anybody with either of these 2 now?

I'd read this before making a rash decision.
http://forums.contractoruk.com/thread7087.html

[Lucifer Box]

Thanks for the replies guys, if I decide to continue after the first 3 months I will go with a ltd, but for now it seems like Parasol or Orange Genie, but all the recomendations seem a couple of years out of date, anybody with either of these 2 now?

Have you read the comments about Parasol on this board?

Look, someone may as well say it now because contracting is no game and you may thank someone in the long run for being harsh now. You seem to be wanting someone to wipe your arse here for you. That alone tells me you are likely not suited to contracting. The world is full of permies who thought "contractors earn a wedge so I'll just do it for three months and fill my boots" and then ended up begin ripped off or worse. Read the PCG First Timers' Guides carefully and thoroughly, then decide.