You are here on this page reading our article gives us an impression that you are planning to appoint an umbrella company or maybe you are just trying to learn about the importance of umbrella company reviews.
There are more than 500 umbrella companies operating in the UK, and there are approximately 4.25 million contractors. These are staggering numbers with lots of money exchanging involved. This has made umbrella company market a hunting ground for tax avoiding and fraudulent companies in the UK. For a genuine contractor, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find a compliant and trustworthy umbrella company. In such a scenario, reviews play an important role.
In this guide, we will discuss about the importance of umbrella company reviews, why they matter and where to look for genuine reviews.
The impact of appointing a wrong (fraudulent or tax-avoiding) umbrella company can be severe, not only on your financial health but also on your professional life. HMRC actively investigates and reports tax-avoiding umbrella companies, publishing their names regularly. Needless to say, if an umbrella company is found to be avoiding tax by HMRC, it may receive legal notices, fines, and court cases. These notices and penalties can be served to everyone associated with that particular company, including contractors. With the help of online reviews, you can learn more about them, understand the pros and cons, and then make an informed decision.
Checking umbrella company reviews is not just important from the tax avoidance perspective, it also helps you learn about how the umbrella company operates, their fees structure (if there are hidden costs, or any entry or exit fees etc), customer support, compliance, insurance and a lot more. So, it is very important for you as a contractor to invest time in checking umbrella company reviews. This helps you in appointing a reliable and trustworthy umbrella company.
Yes, you read it right. Before we tell you where to look for umbrella company reviews, we would like to tell you where you shouldn’t be looking.
There are many comparison websites and self-proclaimed contracting portals operating in the UK. Some are genuine, while others may not be trustworthy.
Some of them are heavily sponsored or funded by umbrella companies. The easiest way to spot these is by looking for a select few umbrella company advertisements scattered across those comparison websites and contractor portals. This is a clear indicator that the umbrella company in question has heavily advertised on these websites, and any advice you see on the site may be an advertisement disguised as helpful content or guidance. Advertising on a website doesn't make them bad or not trustworthy, they may be a reliable umbrella company, but you should take them with a pinch of salt.
Some big umbrella companies invest heavily on digital marketing and SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) techniques. They have big in-house teams to help them rank on top of Google search rankings. Ranking 1st, 2nd or 3rd does not mean that they are the best umbrella company in the UK. It surely means that their digital marketing or SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) techniques are working very well.
At IT Contractors UK, we are developing a review tool designed to provide contractors with authentic and reliable umbrella company reviews.
Very soon, you’ll be able to read genuine and authentic umbrella company reviews right here on ITContractorsUK.com.
Till that happens, there are places where you can get genuine umbrella company reviews.
Our favourite place to look for reviews is undoubtedly the Reddit community, which has proven to be exceptional when it comes to addressing queries like these. Unlike comparison websites and some so-called contractor-centric portals, we find that the reviews and opinions shared on Reddit are genuine and often provide invaluable insights.
The discussions within the community reflect real experiences from contractors who are willing to share their knowledge and advice. This peer-to-peer interaction fosters a sense of trust and authenticity that is often lacking in more commercialised platforms. As a result, we highly recommend turning to Reddit for honest feedback and recommendations.
IT Contractors UK is on Reddit – Join Us there!
Our second most favourite destination for online reviews is LinkedIn. Again, a place where you will find a lot of valuable advice and genuine reviews. LinkedIn groups are one of the best places to look for advice and opinions on umbrella companies in the UK.
One big advantage of posting on LinkedIn to seek umbrella company reviews is that LinkedIn not only has thousands of contractors—possibly even more—but also has a vast network of recruitment agencies and service providers. This diverse community offers a wealth of perspectives and experiences, allowing you to gather insights from various stakeholders in the contracting industry. With the help of this extensive network, you can receive comprehensive feedback about umbrella companies, helping you make a more informed decision.
Additionally, engaging with professionals on LinkedIn can lead to valuable connections and networking opportunities that may further enhance your contracting journey.
Our LinkedIn group – Contractor Advice and IT Jobs UK has over 20,000+ members. Join us there if you haven’t already.
Using Trustpilot to check umbrella company reviews has its pros and cons. On the positive side, Trustpilot offers a large platform where users can share their experiences, providing a wealth of information to help potential contractors make informed decisions. The user-generated reviews often include detailed insights about service quality, customer support, and overall satisfaction.
However, there are drawbacks as well. Some reviews may be biased or manipulated, especially if companies engage in practices to solicit positive feedback while discouraging negative comments. Additionally, the sheer volume of reviews can sometimes make it challenging to discern genuine opinions from misleading ones. Therefore, while Trustpilot can be a useful resource, it's essential to approach the reviews with a critical eye and consider them alongside other sources of information.
Google Business reviews offer several advantages and disadvantages when evaluating umbrella companies. On the positive side, they provide easy access to a wide range of user experiences and ratings, helping potential contractors gauge overall satisfaction and service quality.
However, the downside is that reviews can vary significantly in authenticity; some may be overly positive or negative due to personal biases or lack of context. Additionally, businesses may manipulate their ratings by encouraging only satisfied customers to leave reviews. Thus, while Google Business reviews can be helpful, it’s essential to consider them in conjunction with other sources for a balanced perspective.
We hope this article was useful to you in your search for find the best umbrella company for your contracting needs. If you are looking for a trustworthy and a reliable umbrella company, you can have a look at our trusted umbrella company partners. They’ll be happy to help you.
| Umbrella Company | Services Offered | Company Profile |
|---|---|---|
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FCSA & Professional Passport Accredited Payroll Company Same day payments & wage advances available upon request Free subscription to DASA Rewards money-saving App All statutory entitlements including holiday, sick & maternity/ paternity pay |
View Profile |
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Professional Passport Accredited Payroll flexibility (Weekly, Bi-weekly, Monthly) Free tax investigation consultation* Free employment dispute advice Contractor portal Outstanding customer service |
View Profile |
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