Reply to: new to contracting, need some advice please

[LondonManc]

Thank you all very much for your sound advice so far. At the moment I'm just investigating whether it is worth me going into contracting (I think it definitely is!). For what I am doing max salary I've been approached with (from agency) is 55k (I'm currently earning 46). Been a .net developer now for over 13 years and contracting has always appealed to me.

I will do some more research on what my IR35 status would be next week but I guess that all depends on the contract. The one I've applied for (and been put forward to the client) is a private sector software development role on a 3 month rolling contract, would any of you know what the likelihood of that being outside IR35 is?

Also does anyone have first hand experience of Opus?

Once again thank you all so much for taking the time to reply, I'd buy you a pint if I could 🍺

Here's a great post from Lucy, explaining how umbrella companies vary:

http://forums.contractoruk.com/umbre...ey-differ.html

Based on that, the main differentiators will simply be the umbrella fee and the umbrella staff. One you can see for yourself, the other you'll have to go off a recommendation but give the effort Lucy puts in on here, I'd say she should be your first choice.

[eek]

Just looking at the site the OP mentioned and it says...



On that point alone I'm out

search the phone number in google and see the other company that uses that number ( www.premier-pay.co.uk )

[northernladuk]

Just looking at the site the OP mentioned and it says...

We only use Contractor reviewed and Agency approved Umbrella Companies

On that point alone I'm out

[eek]

Either of you spoken to feefo and explained the situation to them? That rating score is very worrying as its encouraging people to use them...

[Sue B]

Lucy kindly brought this to our attention yesterday, same deal, they are using our name and logo without our knowledge or permission. We requested they remove us from their website by COB yesterday.....

.....They still haven't, time to get

[lucyclarityumbrella]

Very professional

[lucyclarityumbrella]

We could ask for a quote for you through them if you like,and let you know, then you can be sure that they're diddling you!

I already did that, but with my CU address to see if anything came through to me - maybe you may actually get a response!!!

[cojak]

you have been successfully send

Very professional

[cojak]

Well that's an interesting site! Our logo appears on the site, without our permission I may add, and when I requested a quote from ourselves via the site, I have had no such enquiry come through! My guess is no-one will be calling me back!

I have also tried to find a contact to get them to remove us from the, to no avail! Anyone have a clue who is behind the site, as there appears to be a few reputable companies on there who I assume are in the same situation as us?

We could ask for a quote for you through them if you like,and let you know, then you can be sure that they're diddling you!

[lucyclarityumbrella]

I have found them on LinkedIn too - and half of the staff are Isle of Man based - quelle surprise
So they have received a lovely message from me!

Thanks for your assistance

[eek]

Well that's an interesting site! Our logo appears on the site, without our permission I may add, and when I requested a quote from ourselves via the site, I have had no such enquiry come through! My guess is no-one will be calling me back!

I have also tried to find a contact to get them to remove us from the, to no avail! Anyone have a clue who is behind the site, as there appears to be a few reputable companies on there who I assume are in the same situation as us?

This website has a very familiar phone number http ://www.premier-pay.co.uk/ which may give you a starting point.

Wish I could be more help but I think you need to speak to them and nic.uk regarding their use of a limited company specialising in privacy protection to hide their contact details...

[lucyclarityumbrella]

Well that's an interesting site! Our logo appears on the site, without our permission I may add, and when I requested a quote from ourselves via the site, I have had no such enquiry come through! My guess is no-one will be calling me back!

I have also tried to find a contact to get them to remove us from the, to no avail! Anyone have a clue who is behind the site, as there appears to be a few reputable companies on there who I assume are in the same situation as us?

[teapot418]

Oh yes, these people have first hand experience of Opus. And of HMRC too... http://forums.contractoruk.com/hmrc-...an-scheme.html

And another

http://forums.contractoruk.com/hmrc-...ml#post2385650

[teapot418]

Also does anyone have first hand experience of Opus?

You still considering it?

If one person comes along and tells you "it's fine", you're going to ignore the sound advice you've been given, aren't you.

[cojak]

Thank you all very much for your sound advice so far. At the moment I'm just investigating whether it is worth me going into contracting (I think it definitely is!). For what I am doing max salary I've been approached with (from agency) is 55k (I'm currently earning 46). Been a .net developer now for over 13 years and contracting has always appealed to me.

I will do some more research on what my IR35 status would be next week but I guess that all depends on the contract. The one I've applied for (and been put forward to the client) is a private sector software development role on a 3 month rolling contract, would any of you know what the likelihood of that being outside IR35 is?

Also does anyone have first hand experience of Opus?

Once again thank you all so much for taking the time to reply, I'd buy you a pint if I could 🍺

And research IR35 first - you'll then understand why we won't/can't answer that question.