Is it worth switching from Parasol to ContractorUmbrella?

[Daventry]

Hi,

Have just found out that CU's fees are cheaper (£85 vs £119.50), and also when tried their calculator with numbers from one of my last payslips I got about £100 more.

BTW, Parasol allows to claim meal expenses up to £10/day with no receipts - as long as you left for work before 7am, otherwise you can claim £5/day. You can also claim your monthly travelcard with your receipt. These are all the expenses I would be claiming. Does CU let you claim these too?

Thanks.

[LisaContractorUmbrella]

Hi,

Have just found out that CU's fees are cheaper (£85 vs £119.50), and also when tried their calculator with numbers from one of my last payslips I got about £100 more.

BTW, Parasol allows to claim meal expenses up to £10/day with no receipts - as long as you left for work before 7am, otherwise you can claim £5/day. You can also claim your monthly travelcard with your receipt. These are all the expenses I would be claiming. Does CU let you claim these too?

Thanks.

IMHO you should definitely consider this move Seriously though - all umbrella companies work in the same way and we are all under the control of HMR&C as it is they that decide the costs that can be processed as an allowable expense. As it happens we have a chap working for us who used to be a tax inspector at HMR&C - his name is Roger Westlake - so if you want to have an in depth chat about expenses he's your man.

[Daventry]

IMHO you should definitely consider this move Seriously though - all umbrella companies work in the same way and we are all under the control of HMR&C as it is they that decide the costs that can be processed as an allowable expense. As it happens we have a chap working for us who used to be a tax inspector at HMR&C - his name is Roger Westlake - so if you want to have an in depth chat about expenses he's your man.

If I do switch, how painful it is to transfer my existing assignment?

[LisaContractorUmbrella]

If I do switch, how painful it is to transfer my existing assignment?

Your existing umbrella company will probably require you to give notice and you will need to let your agency know - are you mid assignment?

[Daventry]

Your existing umbrella company will probably require you to give notice and you will need to let your agency know - are you mid assignment?

Yes, although it does end next friday and am starting a new one on Monday 28th May.

[LisaContractorUmbrella]

Yes, although it does end next friday and am starting a new one on Monday 28th May.

Then you should have no problem - umbrella companies are the same as any other employer - you work your notice and move on

[Daventry]

Well, my agency just told me they only work with Parasol, Giant and Paystream.
Giant is more expensive than Parasol and have found a lot of bad reviews on Paystream in this forum, so I guess I'll stick to Parasol.

BTW, is it legal than an agency just works with umbrellas of their choice?

Regards.

[TheFaQQer]

BTW, is it legal than an agency just works with umbrellas of their choice?

Yes. A company can choose who they want to contract with and who they don't.

[rachael parasol]

Well, my agency just told me they only work with Parasol, Giant and Paystream.
Giant is more expensive than Parasol and have found a lot of bad reviews on Paystream in this forum, so I guess I'll stick to Parasol.

BTW, is it legal than an agency just works with umbrellas of their choice?

Regards.

Hi Daventry

Thanks for your feedback, one of our Employee Support team would be really keen to have a chat with you. If you would like to send your details to me at rachael.kinsella@parasolgroup.co.uk, I can arrange for someone to give you a call.

Thanks

[LisaContractorUmbrella]

Well, my agency just told me they only work with Parasol, Giant and Paystream.
Giant is more expensive than Parasol and have found a lot of bad reviews on Paystream in this forum, so I guess I'll stick to Parasol.

BTW, is it legal than an agency just works with umbrellas of their choice?

Regards.

Some recruitment agencies have a closed preferred suppliers list meaning that they will only work with those companies on that list; as with most industries there are sometimes fees attached to the referrals