Looking for an intermediary

[NotAllThere]

Don't understand the point of this post. Go with an umbrella company if you don't want to create a limited company. Not rocket science.

Having used Openstrike's services in the past, I'm guessing the gig is something a sole trader would normally do, but for some reason the client decided to use an agent. It probably is something that can be done genuinely by a freelancer.

In the past, I've taken on people direct for a short period to do a specific, defined bit of work, for a fixed price. They've all had their own ltd co, so the question never arose, but I can't see why I wouldn't use a sole trader.

[avonleigh]

Don't understand the point of this post. Go with an umbrella company if you don't want to create a limited company. Not rocket science.

[Protagoras]

Wouldn't an umbrella only offer PAYE, though? How does that work for fixed-price deliverables?

Yes, that would be PAYE. To make this work, set the hourly rate so that rate * hours = price

I suggest that the chances of quickly finding and negotiating with a LtdCo proprietor are not high.

To pursue this opportunity without delay, I think the options are
(a) set up a LtdCo
(b) engage via a umbrella company

[jamesbrown]

Also, you probably don't want to deal with the sort of person that would agree to this as they are likely clueless.

[jamesbrown]

Yes, the issue is that the agent won't engage a sole trader.

For the same reason that anyone here with a Ltd company would be nuts to engage a sole trader for the amount of money they're getting from it...

[openstrike]

Is the issue that the agency won't deal directly with a sole trader? If so, the obvious thought is to use an umbrella company.

Yes, the issue is that the agent won't engage a sole trader.

[openstrike]

Wouldn't an umbrella only offer PAYE, though? How does that work for fixed-price deliverables?

[Protagoras]

In practical terms, the intermediary required is an Umbrella Company.

[hobnob]

Is the issue that the agency won't deal directly with a sole trader? If so, the obvious thought is to use an umbrella company.

[fatJock]

Good luck with that

[openstrike]

I'm looking for a Ltd. Co. who will sit between me (as a sole trader) and an agent. Presumably lots of you have Ltds and are used to dealing with agents so would be well placed to do this.

It won't be a large gig and it won't be PAYE - I will be your subcontractor (or end-contractor) - but it will get you a few pennies and might help as an IBOYOA flag (might - we all know there are no guarantees).

Is anyone interested in this?

Before you ask, yes I could set up a company and do this myself but that's another set of accounts, a new bank account, a whole raft of paperwork and at least some expense which is unlikely to be worth it for the sums involved. With a company that is already set up and ready to go, it should hopefully be plain sailing.