Parasol or 360?

[Scuddy]

I used Atlantic Umbrella, very good service they offer essentially two schemes depending on whether they only pay you when they have been paid or if they advance the money, with the latter the fees are higher becuase they are essenitally factoring the money.

Can't say a bad word about their service they have been very good, they have a very good and simple to use online account system for you to submit expenses view your account details and all monies received and paid including all deductions taxes etc and you can download everything.

Any queries have been dealt with very quickly.

[QwertyBerty]

Parasol and Giant are the two I've used. They should give you a reliable service.

QB.

[Jubber]

I've only ever used Parasol quite a while ago for a short foreign gig. Absolutely fine - would recommend.

One thing to watch is when payments get to them. I was on a weekly pay run, but if two payments hit them in the same week they stop you tax on the two payments added together, which obviously can be a lot more then one expects!!
and you can't get it back until you have submitted tax returns etc. So my advice is to make sure time sheets and payments get to them pronto.

[BrilloPad]

Why not go ltd?

[Beefy198]

actually their weekly fee is the same as Parasol, but the total quote came to higher amount. but i totally see your point, thanks!

The take home shouldn't really change much - there is no 'magic wand' that they can wave to inflate your pay.

Are you sure they were identical quotes? Things such as how large an expense claim they put through, weeks worked across the year and deductions for holiday and sick (if they do that) play a part.

[8_leg]

I used 360 for 3 weeks when I started contracting while I was setting up my Ltd and they were utter pants. I doubt much has changed.....

Thank you, i'm now very confident about my decision.

[Ardesco]

I used 360 for 3 weeks when I started contracting while I was setting up my Ltd and they were utter pants. I doubt much has changed.....

[8_leg]

I have used 360, used them for two contracts 3 months each. I have now set up my own Ltd co thats I am sure speaks volumes does it not?

Thanks, i've already sort of decided to go with Parasol, looks like more solid option. especially considering the fact that most people know them.

[pleomax]

I have used 360, used them for two contracts 3 months each. I have now set up my own Ltd co thats I am sure speaks volumes does it not?

[8_leg]

Don't go for something because it is cheap. Much Cheapness sometimes = much s**tness.

However, I can recommend Parasol as they have always managed to advance pay me when I needed.

actually their weekly fee is the same as Parasol, but the total quote came to higher amount. but i totally see your point, thanks!

[pmeswani]

Hi everyone,

Really need your advice ASAP, as have to decide which umbrella company to go with. I was suggested Giant, but their quote was the lowest, so I'm now left with Parasol and 360 Group which gave me very similar quotes. I've heard some good things about Parasol from friends, but have no idea about 360. Perhaps any of you have experienced their services?

Any advice is much appreciated.

Thank you

Don't go for something because it is cheap. Much Cheapness sometimes = much s**tness.

However, I can recommend Parasol as they have always managed to advance pay me when I needed.

[poppy01]

parasol second to none in my view.
dont know about the others

[8_leg]

Hi everyone,

Really need your advice ASAP, as have to decide which umbrella company to go with. I was suggested Giant, but their quote was the lowest, so I'm now left with Parasol and 360 Group which gave me very similar quotes. I've heard some good things about Parasol from friends, but have no idea about 360. Perhaps any of you have experienced their services?

Any advice is much appreciated.

Thank you