^ TopContract Renewals
Preparing and Negotiating a Contract Renewal
Factors to consider and strategies for maximising your contract rate when your contract is due for renewal.
15 Tips When Renewing Your Contract
Your current contract is due to finish raising the prospect of a renewal: Do you and the client wish to continue? And if so how can you negotiate effectively to maximise your financial position?
Contract Renewals: When The Agent Calls
To get a rate rise at renewal time strengthening your bargaining position is key. Here we provide some example contractor/agent telephone conversations that do just that.
How Contractors Should Handle Contract Renewals
Contractors are never obliged to accept contract renewals. Feel free to negotiate a new contract, and never accept an agent's telling you that you have some obligation resulting from the previous contract.
Contractor Doctor: Should I Accept an Early Contract Renewal Offer?
A contractor asks advice about renewing a contract 2 months early with no rate rise.
Contractor Doctor: Is it Possible to Negotiate a Rise When There are 'No Rises'?
Aspects to consider when the client says they will not pay more money.
Contractor Doctor: How Can I Renegotiate a Smaller Agency Margin?
Getting a higher rate by reducing a very high agency margin.
Contractor Doctor: How Can I Avoid Late Contract Renewals?
Contractors should politely pressure agents and clients to ensure that they don't get too short contracts or too short renewals.
When Contractors Are Between Contracts, They Still Get Paid
When your first contract runs out, and you're still working on renegotiating it or renewing it with the same client, you still get paid for your work.
How to Find a Contract: Guide for UK Contractors
The contract search process explained. Advice and guidance on securing lucrative contracts.
Contractor Doctor: How Often Should I Change Contracts?
Contractor Doctor explains the factors when considering how long to stay at a client site.
The Contracting Seasons
Like the best farmers, the best contractors know when to sow and when to reap, and when to stay indoors.
^ TopDealing with agencies
Dealing with Agents and Building Relationships
Understanding how to deal with agents will maximise your contracting career.
Are Contractors Being Exploited by Agents
Some contractors think that agents continually exploit them whilst knowing nothing about the industry. We explain why this is not the case.
Contractor Doctor: What is the 'Fake Contractor' Tactic to Bypass the Agencies?
Is it possible to get client information from an agent, then bypass the agent and go direct for a higher rate?
Contractor Doctor: What is an Acceptable Agency Margin?
What is an acceptable margin, how it is calculated, and should you even negotiate it?
Conduct of Employment Regulations: A Guide to Opting In or Out
You can make more money if you opt out, but there are consequences to consider.
When A Contractor CV Goes AWOL
You have a right to keep control of your CV. And you can do something about it when agents don't respect this right.
^ TopPayment Structures, Expenses
Running Your Limited Company - A Contractors Guide
This article lists the on going responsibilities and obligations of running a limited company.
Valid Expenses as a Contractor - What You Can Claim
We describe in detail what expenses are allowed to be claimed when you are contracting.
Contractor Doctor: Does Taking a Break Get Around the 24 Month Contractor Expenses Rule?
Answers a contractor's question about the 24 month expenes rule and explains the rules in detail.
Reasons and Practicalities of Moving from an Umbrella to a Limited Company
Discusses the reasons and steps to take to move from an umbrella arrangement to a limited company.
Moving from a Limited Company to an Umbrella: Reasons and Practicalities.
Discusses the many reasons you might have for wishing to move together with practicalities of moving.
Ensuring You Get Paid When Contracting
This articles discusses how to mitigate the risk of non payment when contracting.
What Contractors Should Do About Late Payment
Late payment can become a thorn in your side. You do have some recourse if it does.
Timesheets, Invoices and Payments
When you are contracting you need to complete timesheets and raise invoices. This article explains the process.
Recruiting and Interviewing New Team Members - A Guide
A simple guide to assist you when your client requests your help to interview new candidates.
Keeping ‘Em Sweet
With the demand for contractors increasing here’s a guide to holding onto your best ones.
Boost Productivity for Free
Effective time management can yield huge increases in productivity – for free!
The Losers Olympics
Are you involved in a project that is doomed to fail?
Measuring Your Performance
Simple introduction to measuring IT project performance.
Considering Property Investments via Your Contracting Limited Company
Considering using company profit to invest in property? This article explains reasons why that is not a good idea.
Mortgages For Contractors: You Can Get One
Getting a mortgage when contracting does not have to be painful.
Reducing the IR35 Pain With a Contractor Pension
Reduce the pain of IR35 by diverting your IR35 taxes into a pension and achieve up to 48% tax relief.
Saving for Retirement: Contractors Need to Act Now
With the inevitable future meltdown in state pensions contractors need to act now to ensure a healthy retirement.
Contractor Doctor: How Much Income Should I Save for Holidays and Sickness?
Advises a first time contractor how to account for holidays and sick days.
Contracting – Taking Holidays and Time Off
Aspects to consider regarding holidays and time off when contracting.
^ TopIR35 Issues
Negotiating Your Contract for IR35 Compliance
If you have been offered a contract which is caught by IR35, or are in a contract that is caught by IR35 you’ll need to consider negotiating changes to get it outside IR35. This article explains how.
Financial Impact of IR35 on Contractors
A contractors take home pay is reduced by up to 25% when caught by IR35.
Contractor Doctor: Can I Change Contract Terms To Be Outside IR35 During a Contract?
Changing contract terms to be outside IR35 during an existing contract.
^ TopStaying at the top
Keeping Your Skills Updated
To get the top contract rates you need to have the latest skills in demand. This article explains how to stay on top.
Tips For Long Term Successful Contracting
There’s more to a successful contract than getting your timesheets signed. 10 Tips for success.
^ TopHMRC Inspections
Minimising the Risk of a HMRC Inspection
Discusses the issues that raise alarm bells with HMRC, and advises how to minimise the risk of an investigation.
^ TopBecoming a Consultant
Contractor to Consultant: Part I – Comparing Contracting and Consulting
Do you want to be part of the team, or an agent of change? Read our three part guide to becoming an independent consultant.
Contractor or Consultant: Part II – The Consulting Approach
Do you want to be part of the team, or an agent of change? Read our guide to becoming an independent consultant.
Contractor or Consultant: Part III – Making the Transition
Do you want to be part of the team, or an agent of change? Read our guide to becoming an independent consultant.
^ TopBack to permanent work
Contractor Doctor: Is it Worth Going Permanent After Contracting?
Advice to a contractor who is considering accepting a permanent position at the company where they are contracting.
Advice on Going Back to Permanent Work from Contracting
This article discusses the factors when deciding whether to go back to permanent employment.
Making Your Contracting Limited Company Dormant
How to make a limited company dormant and the responsibilities whilst it is dormant.
Closing Down Your Contracting Limited Company
Discusses the steps to close down your limited company