Reply to: Parasol or Drole??

[giodoc]

That's one of the reasons I'm trying them out... Also one month free, if it doesn't work out to my expectations... Then I can always switch..

[tommyboy]

Drole first brolly

Apparantly Drole were the very first umbrella company, so you'd hope they've got it just right by now.

[The Lone Gunman]

My agency insisted I use a brolly because of insurance reasons? I'm no lawyer or accounatant... So when I said I'd been acting as a sle trader in the past, 2 yrs ago when I did a one off contract, she said either I act as a ltd or Parasol, or they would hire someone else... Is this common?

I bet they dont know the real reason anymore, most of us cant remember the exact details.
It was 20 years ago or so when legislation was passed to make the agent and client liable for unpaid tax from sole traders. Possibility of employment rights too.
Easiest (but not only) answer is to only take on Ltds or brollie users.

[Badger]

Parasol for me too when I had to use an umbrella. May cost a little extra, but worth the peace of mind.

[pmeswani]

Another vote for Parasol when I started.

I used Parasol when I started... very efficient. Gave me advance pay on the presumption that they got confirmation from the agency that they would get paid. Very efficient.

[giodoc]

Thanks for all the posts... I decided with Drole in the end.

Had some trouble with the sales guys at Parasol... One of them got really stroppy when I said I had an alternate quote... On the verge of shouting down the phone to me...

Another reason I took my business to Drole, £11 cheaper... And no aggro for sales reps..

My agency insisted I use a brolly because of insurance reasons? I'm no lawyer or accounatant... So when I said I'd been acting as a sle trader in the past, 2 yrs ago when I did a one off contract, she said either I act as a ltd or Parasol, or they would hire someone else... Is this common?

[Ltd ability]

Parasol are ok, if it's only 2 days a week it might make more sense to get paid monthly from them - think that's £87 a month, you won't save masses but better in your pocket than theirs

[basshead]

Another vote for Parasol when I started.

WHS

[VectraMan]

Another vote for Parasol when I started.

[Spacecadet]

I used parasol too when I started and although they did have a few months of being completely and utterly tulip (there is a very long thread on the matter), they came back and resumed normal service once they had fixed the IT problems.

[chef]

i used parasol for 9 months when i began contracting, never had any problems..

[NotAllThere]

Find out why the agency wants you to use a brollie.
If they insist then suggest they up your rate to cover the cost.

With a proper contract there is no need for you to work through a brollie.

What alternative would you suggest? Ltd seems a little overkill for £220 a week. Over three months £2860.

[original PM]

The difference in take home pay will be the difference in their charges - so £11 per week - take into account tax etc and this will work out at around £6 or £7 in your sky rocket.

Drole have 1 months free trial period - that could save you about 50 quid!

as for service - well in essence this can be a bit down to luck.

Both will claim to pay you within 2 working days of recieveing the money (as long as relevant timesheets etc have been entered) and both will endeavour to do that.

However they will only pay on receipt of funds from agency and more than likely some form of remit from agency if this does not arrive you money will be late.

up to you!!!

[Bob Dalek]

I like Parasol - as said above, pay-up on time and do actually try to help.

[The Lone Gunman]

Hi I'm new to the role of contarcting, and my agency has asked me to use an Umbrella Co.

I'll be working 2 days a week for 3 months earning £110 a day...

Parasol has quoted £27, while Drole has quoted £16...

My biggest priority is to have things run smootly obviously the more money I can keep the better..

Is the quote from Drole too good to be true? Can anyone please advise on their experiences with these 2 companies pls...

Thanks

Find out why the agency wants you to use a brollie.
If they insist then suggest they up your rate to cover the cost.

With a proper contract there is no need for you to work through a brollie.