New to contracting / short term

[mrpugster]

Hi, just some advice please...

I have a permanent IT job with another company but get a large amount of holiday time, I have just been offered a short term 2 week IT contract and was just wondering what the best route regarding account would be, Umbrella / Sole Trader / Ltd etc. All pretty new to this and would very much appreciate your thoughts.

Cheers

[DiscoStu]

Agencies won't touch a sole trader, it seems pointless starting up a Ltd for a few weeks work a year given the paperwork and cost involved so I'd assume umbrella would be the best option.

[DaveB]

Agencies won't touch a sole trader, it seems pointless starting up a Ltd for a few weeks work a year given the paperwork and cost involved so I'd assume umbrella would be the best option.

+1

[Maslins]

Agencies won't touch a sole trader, it seems pointless starting up a Ltd for a few weeks work a year given the paperwork and cost involved so I'd assume umbrella would be the best option.

Yup, I'd agree.

[TheFaQQer]

Agencies won't touch a sole trader, it seems pointless starting up a Ltd for a few weeks work a year given the paperwork and cost involved so I'd assume umbrella would be the best option.

Most umbrellas won't touch you for just two weeks work either.

I'd push for a sole trader arrangement, or find someone who has a limited company who will let you work through them for the two weeks.

[LisaContractorUmbrella]

TheFaqqer is correct - umbrella companies won't usually take on an employee for very short term or ad-hoc work

[philip@wellwoodhoyle]

For just two weeks, if they wont't pay you as a sole trader, then your only option is probably to be paid under their paye scheme as an employee on a short/fixed contract.

[BlasterBates]

Surely for a two week contract no agency or umbrella is involved. Just sort something out with the purchasing dept. I would have thought they would be flexible, can't see why they wouldn't accept you as a sole trader. If not it's probably not worth while setting up a Ltd for that amount of work.

[tractor]

...

Equally, there is no reason an agency could/would not send you in as a PAYE temp in the same way that they would provide say, a cleaner or lorry driver. Only downside is that you would pay tax on a BR basis but you already know that anyway.

Obviously, they would expect some of your rate as their cut but again that much is obvious.

[kaiser78]

Hi, just some advice please...

I have a permanent IT job with another company but get a large amount of holiday time, I have just been offered a short term 2 week IT contract and was just wondering what the best route regarding account would be, Umbrella / Sole Trader / Ltd etc. All pretty new to this and would very much appreciate your thoughts.

Cheers

You should check your current contract of employment to see if there is any clause forbidding you to work for anyone else whilst with current company. I am not an employment expert but think this is standard wording - others on here may be able to clarify further.