Contracting Direct

[MrB]

Is it better to contract direct and not through an Agency?

Whenever I have tried I don't seem to get much interest from clients, but I find it easy to find contracts via Agents. Is there some advantage for the clients to just deal with Agents rather than going direct.

[NotAllThere]

Been contracting long?

[MrB]

I have been contracting nearly four years. but my contacts have been quite long so i havent been around that much so still feel like there is much I don't know. From your question I get the sense that there is something naiive about my question.

[NotAllThere]

Not naive as such, but it has been discussed quite often. Clients use agencies to find people. The agencies filter out a lot of the crap. Agents might have to make 200 calls to find one client. Agencies can act as factors, so you get paid before they do.

[MrB]

I did not imagine I was the first to ask this but I get no results on search in the forum.

I did work through one agency that paid weekly and that was good for cash flow. I have heard of people contracting direct and there is often some issue with getting paid late which could be a hassle.

And obviously they are active in matching contractors to contracts so finding new contracts is easier, and these are all reasons that I can see easily.

I was wondering if there is also some other reason, like some regulatory reason.

Thanks for your reply.

[Wanderer]

Is there some advantage for the clients to just deal with Agents rather than going direct.

Yes. If they have 10 contractors on site then they can just deal with one agency for payments. The other thing is that if you are engaged direct then you could (in theory) do a bunk and the HMRC could come after the client for NI and PAYE, saying that you were technically an employee.

[aceboy]

I think it comes down to whom you know....... For my last 2 contract, 3 yrs and 7 months (On going) I was placed direct, so no agency fee, but I still have to face off to the clients agency desk....This is also fee free....

[dynamicsaxcontractor]

Is it better to contract direct and not through an Agency?

Whenever I have tried I don't seem to get much interest from clients, but I find it easy to find contracts via Agents. Is there some advantage for the clients to just deal with Agents rather than going direct.

I think it's better to go direct rather than through an agency, if you can cut out the middle man why not? You should be able to get a better rate going direct, but the real benefit is to cut out all the crap suchs as lies and clauses. If you are concerned about getting paid in time you will be better off through an agent as you migth be spending quite some time chasing money when going direct.

[northernladuk]

I did not imagine I was the first to ask this but I get no results on search in the forum.

It gets asked once in a blue moon but most people tend to have the nouse to work this one out for themselves. You are business and should be acting and thinking like one. If you were this one should be pretty obvious sorry.

Spin it around and think of the hassle and the pitfalls if you were in your clients shoes.

[nfoote]

You are business and should be acting and thinking like one.

northernladuk's favourite line!