New Contractor - Advice on Agencies Please

[jamesbrown]

Well your story is "interesting".
For him to have achieved all that in 12 months not only must his rate on his first contract be almost stellar, his tax efficiency must be abysmal and his mortgage provider feeling very generous.

Quite honestly I struggle to see the truth (or even a shred of truth) in your tale.

Yes, it sounds utterly ludicrous And if it's a real story, this friend is still struggling with money management. Just because you can get a high multiple of your day rate through a specialist mortgage broker, doesn't mean it's remotely sensible.

[northernladuk]

Don't be disturbed by northernladuk and some others. He is always rude to new starters (for some reason), and seems in particularly belligerent mood today. But his advice is usually good and I often seek/listen to it myself. This forum is a bit rough and tumble sometimes, a bit like the contracting world in general.

I thought I actually have some pretty straight feedback on the facts given. Obviously now all the information is (finally) out it things change. Can't have a pop cause I only had half a tale.

[MasterP0]

Oh dear, the ridiculousness of some people.......OP I hope you would deduce from my earlier post regarding my friend that he did not purchase a house for £500K cash, he saved for a deposit to buy his £500K home, and by buy I mean mortgage!

[Roger Mellie]

Oh dear, the ridiculousness of some people.......OP I hope you would deduce from my earlier post regarding my friend that he did not purchase a house for £500K cash, he saved for a deposit to buy his £500K home, and by buy I mean mortgage!

How did he get a mortgage with just a year's worth of accounts? Not saying it's impossible, but I thought lenders demand at least two years of accounts?

[TykeMerc]

Oh dear, the ridiculousness of some people.......OP I hope you would deduce from my earlier post regarding my friend that he did not purchase a house for £500K cash, he saved for a deposit to buy his £500K home, and by buy I mean mortgage!

It's obvious bollocks due to several reasons:-

1. From overdrafts and credit cards to a meaningful deposit = £75k as a minimum
2. Mortgage lenders offering a first time buyer £425-450k
3. Only 1 year trading, probably no accounts for 2.
4. Tax efficiency for that level of drawings
5. First time contractor pulling in £500+ a day rate

To be brutally honest it looks like a complete lie made up to add some post count to that MasterP0 ID, shame you didn't make it even marginally believable.

[psychocandy]

I was offered a good one in January but they couldn't wait. I have been hoping to find a contract that will wait my 3 month's notice. I have three months' notice to give because of my grade.

Not going to happen. RARE IMHO to find out that will wait a months notice. :-(

[psychocandy]

What's your penalty clause if you don't work 3 months notice ?

Thought not - you don't have one do you ?

Pull a sickie?

[psychocandy]

You can type really well.. Seriously.. That is one of your key skills? So what are you really? A secretary, a web dev manager or what. The fact you don't know and are jumping around worries me. Give the interview a hint you don't know and you'll never pass an interview. I've given up already tbh

Must admit OP I wondered why you mentioned that?
Not sure if my client would be bothered if I typed with my big toe as long as I knew what I was doing.

If they wanted someone to type fast then they's get a typist at probably 1/4 the money.

[SlipTheJab]

Not going to happen. RARE IMHO to find out that will wait a months notice. :-(

+1, I had the same and knew the 3 months would be enforced, resigned anyway and started looking with 2 weeks to go, landed my first role starting the Monday after I finished up as a permie, well worth the risk!

[Boney M]

You put your address on your CV????

Yes that of my limited co, issues?