Umbrella choice advice please

[Plot72]

I've just picked up a contract which offers few Umbrellas and unsure which to deal with.
Has Anyone positive/encouraging opinions for any of:

1. Focused Consulting Umbrella.
2. Paystream
3. PayMe
4. Pyntronot Payroll

Thanks for any comments/opinions.

[DolanContractorGroup]

I've just picked up a contract which offers few Umbrellas and unsure which to deal with.
Has Anyone positive/encouraging opinions for any of:

1. Focused Consulting Umbrella.
2. Paystream
3. PayMe
4. Pyntronot Payroll

Thanks for any comments/opinions.

Hi Plot72,

I'm not sure what the criteria is for using those umbrella companies, or how they are ranked on the website, but if you want peace of mind then I would go with one of the FCSA Accredited umbrella companies.

FCSA Members


Thanks

Zeeshan

[northernladuk]

Be very wary of that umbrella list in the link. I see payrise at 43 but they closed last year didn't they. Wouldn't trust it as far as I can throw it.

Do a search on the forums using the following in Google to see if there is any previous posts.

(umbrella name) site:forums.contractoruk.com

[eek]

I would definitely avoid any list that makes money from advertising.

All legal umbrellas should give you the same pay - the only thing that will differ between them is:-

1) the fee they extract but remember cheaper may not be better.
2) how they handle pension contributions as money can only either be paid to you (and the taxman) or into a pension fund. In theory you can put everything beyond living wage into your pension if you so desire but only Dolan / Contractor Umbrella and Clarity (the people that were Contractor Umbrella before it moved into Dolan's office) offer that as far as I'm aware.

[gables]

I've just picked up a contract which offers few Umbrellas and unsure which to deal with.
Has Anyone positive/encouraging opinions for any of:

1. Focused Consulting Umbrella.
2. Paystream
3. PayMe
4. Pyntronot Payroll

Thanks for any comments/opinions.

From that list I've been with Paystream (none of the others) for last two contracts (18 months and 4 months and the only times I've used an umbrella) and have had great service from them. If you're able to go with one not on the list I'd suggest Lucy@Clarity.

[Plot72]

Hi Plot72,

I'm not sure what the criteria is for using those umbrella companies, or how they are ranked on the website, but if you want peace of mind then I would go with one of the FCSA Accredited umbrella companies.

FCSA Members


Thanks

Zeeshan

Thank you so much for the great link, the list is now reduced by 50%. Seems a great accreditation system to weed out some of the sharks of a few years ago.

[Plot72]

From that list I've been with Paystream (none of the others) for last two contracts (18 months and 4 months and the only times I've used an umbrella) and have had great service from them. If you're able to go with one not on the list I'd suggest Lucy@Clarity.

Fantastic, thank you for this refining advice. I've requested Lucy but expect the option will focus towards Paystream as an Umbrella of choice/

[BigRed]

Are you saying you have to pick from that list or that they just suggest a few they get backhanders through? I personally would pick one independently. I don't think that they can make you use one of their preferred list.

[northernladuk]

Are you saying you have to pick from that list or that they just suggest a few they get backhanders through? I personally would pick one independently. I don't think that they can make you use one of their preferred list.

What makes you think that?

Many companies have preferred suppliers lists that they've spent time and money vetting and aren't very flexible when it comes to putting new suppliers on. Why is this any different..

And then there are the referral deals of course...

[gables]

Are you saying you have to pick from that list or that they just suggest a few they get backhanders through? I personally would pick one independently. I don't think that they can make you use one of their preferred list.

Of course they can, just like companies\organisations can have preferred supplier lists.