starting out -- where to start?

[farout117]

Hi All,

First of all I will tell you that I am a keen reader of this forum, even though I do not work in the UK, and I really wish that there was a forum like this where I am currently, would help a lot of peeps out here too! For me its the best resource
for contractors worldwide.

So basically I have been contracting here in Belgium for the last 3 years and I can say that although work is ok, taxes are a nightmare here. Calculating that I am paying around 55-60% which is obv too much.
Another problem here is that I am not so much happy with my accountant, but its quite hard to find a better accountant I found. So basically decided to leave this contracting hell of a place as soon as my current contract ends and move to London.

Now I know that contracts are quite tough at the moment to come by, however I would like to as some questions, just to get some folks opinion, before making the move.

So basically, I have been contracting in Europe for the past 7 years, so I know a thing or 2 about contracting. I know that the system works differently in the UK, and I have already done some reading.

What I would like to know from you is maybe share some experiences, especially expats, on how you started contracting in the UK. For example is it easier to get a perm until I settle down, and then start searching for contracts? I know it would be hard to get
a contract if I am not in the UK, so maybe perm would be easier to start with. What is normally the best period for contracts? Feb-Mar and Sept-Oct?

If I do get a 3 month contract, would it be easier/better/cheaper to get a room or rent a B&B? I think getting a room near the place of the contract will be harder than a B&B but then cheaper.

I just would love to read about similiar experiences of you guys and how you started out contracting in the UK.

Thanks for your help/opinions

[northernladuk]

For example is it easier to get a perm until I settle down, and then start searching for contracts? I know it would be hard to get
a contract if I am not in the UK, so maybe perm would be easier to start with.

Perm will probably tie you in to a 1 month or 3 month notice period, both of which are too long. Very rarely will a contract wait a month for you. You either go straight in contracting or don't bother IMO.

What is normally the best period for contracts? Feb-Mar and Sept-Oct?

There are some graphs on one of the job boards that shows the number of contracts per month etc. Xmas is very quite, post April seems to be busier once budgets are approved.

If I do get a 3 month contract, would it be easier/better/cheaper to get a room or rent a B&B? I think getting a room near the place of the contract will be harder than a B&B but then cheaper.

Surely you can work this one out with a bit of effort. Depends where in the country you want, what standard you expect etc etc. Can you handle a shared house? Can you handle being in a B&B. THis is one for you to sort out.
[/QUOTE]

[farout117]

Perm will probably tie you in to a 1 month or 3 month notice period, both of which are too long. Very rarely will a contract wait a month for you. You either go straight in contracting or don't bother IMO.



There are some graphs on one of the job boards that shows the number of contracts per month etc. Xmas is very quite, post April seems to be busier once budgets are approved.



Surely you can work this one out with a bit of effort. Depends where in the country you want, what standard you expect etc etc. Can you handle a shared house? Can you handle being in a B&B. THis is one for you to sort out.

[/QUOTE]

Hi Northernladuk,

Thanks for your reply.

So you reckon contracting would be the way to go right? Well I can actually wait till I get a contract and then fly directly.

Yeah I would think than that post April would be my best bet or round about that period.

I would love to get something in the city. I don't mind sharing, done it before, however only spent a week in a b&b at a strech, so cannot say what would it be like for longer. I would actually have to wait on the contract and base it on that then I guess.

[farout117]

My aim is to get a 3-6 month contract, see how it goes, in terms of renewals, new work etc, and then take it from there. Common sense would suggest that I go with an umbrella, and if I then decide to stay, open my LTD. Does that make sense? Or is it still better to open a LTD and then if I decide to leave close it?