name the best umbrella company

[TheFaQQer]

I hear that Prosperity 4 are really good.

Failing that, Tarpon or Giant.

[FarangMau]

NoLongerLimited.

Or whatever they are called nowadays. Pay 2 days after they receive your timesheet.

Charge a fortune for the privilege but are flexible on that (negotiate).

Crystal Umbrella now, that scheme you mention was for outside IR35 contractors through their limited liability partnership which they discontinued for new applicants over 6 months ago. I am still on it, weekly pay even though agency pays monthly, until next year that is, because my agency now has a list of preferred suppliers that must be used from 2009 (i.e. the 5 umbrellas that will give them the biggest kickback payment for new business )

Anyway, can't comment on Crystal's new schemes but as a company they are good to deal with.

[YasminHuegilll]

try contacting <spam>
rather than have to call them all and find out the differences as it all depends on what you want out of it. As much % as possible, are you doing it short term etc

[Joe1978]

contractor umbrella ftw
always paid up on time very good service, and good package

[Hevra]

Maxim Finance pay ahead of funds being received by us (the agency), I'm not sure if any others do.

I've never had any issues with Filetravel, OrangeGenie, Contractor Umbrella, Paystream.

Not overly impressed with Giant, Parasol, Crystal Umbrella.

H

[Beefy198]

Maxim Finance pay ahead of funds being received by us (the agency), I'm not sure if any others do.

Which is surely dodgy from a cash flow point of view?

I think it's easier when umbrellas just pay when the money comes in - that's a much lower risk business model

[pmeswani]

Which is surely dodgy from a cash flow point of view?

I think it's easier when umbrellas just pay when the money comes in - that's a much lower risk business model

It may be easier, but if the umbrella does pay in advance, it would probably be down to them doing a credit worthiness on the agency / client and having sufficient cashflow to pay the contractor. If the agency doesn't pay up, the umbrella can do whatever they can to recover the monies. In some cases they may fail.

[callender]

Used Contractor Umbrella for years excellant service , when Hayes forced a change tried Giant and left as quckly as possible then Parasol "stuck" with them untill i left the contract , new contract and glad to be back with CU .

[original PM]

You should avoid any company who offer payment in advance of funds recieved - even if your agency is fine another one they deal with will be go down the pan and that could take your money with it...

also what is the benefit of being paid before the agency pay them

ok the first time you get paid you will recieve the money earlier but after that it will still be the same gap between paydays......

[Hevra]

Sorry folks, I don't think I was very clear in what I meant (that'll learn me for trying to post on the sly while at work).

What I meant was that weeks like this one, where they won't receive funds from us until Wednesday (Christmas Eve) even though we're running our payroll 2 days early, they will still pay their contractors before they get the funds from us to make sure people can do their Xmas shopping.

Apologies if I gave the impression there was anything dodgy going on

H