How Much are Umbrella Company Costs?

Umbrella company costs: What you need to know

Why do umbrella companies charge a fee?

Before looking at how much you can expect to pay in umbrella costs, let’s first look at why umbrella companies charge a fee.

An umbrella company becomes the contractor’s employer, in turn giving them a range of benefits and services in exchange for a fee.

The kinds of services and benefits that umbrella companies offer include:

  • Paying the contractor a salary: as the contractor's employer, the umbrella company will pay the contractor a salary. They will also deduct the correct levels of tax and National Insurance from the contractor's salary, paying contributions to HMRC as they are owed. This means that the contractor needn't worry about troublesome tax calculations and filing for self-assessment as their tax obligations are taken care of by the umbrella company.
  • Taking on business tasks: unlike a limited company contractor, who not only has to focus on the contract work at hand, but also has to work on running their own business, an umbrella company will take care of the business side of things for contractors. The umbrella company takes on tasks including paperwork, admin, expense processing, invoicing and chasing payments.
  • Giving the contractor statutory rights: as the contractor’s employer, the umbrella company also covers the contractor with statutory rights. This includes holiday pay, sick pay, maternity/paternity pay and a workplace pension. So, if you fall ill unexpectedly, the umbrella company will organise statutory payment to the contractor, giving you some all-important peace of mind.
  • Covering the contractor with insurance: finally, the umbrella company also covers contractors with certain types of insurance, namely Employer’s Liability Insurance which is a legal requirement. On top of this, some will also offer other forms of insurance if required in the contract.

That is the range of services you can expect to receive from an umbrella company, so, how much will you pay in return for these?

How much are Umbrella Company costs?

The important thing to remember is that umbrella company fees will vary from company to company, however, they start from around the £25 – 30 figure each week.

If you use minimal services from an umbrella company, you can expect to pay the minimum fee. In contrast, a contractor that takes advantage of a range of additional services from the umbrella company will usually pay more for these.

As well as the amount you pay, it’s also important to understand how the umbrella company charges their fees, as this can also impact how much you end up paying.

How does an umbrella company charge its fees?

There are two main ways that the umbrella company can charge their fees, including:

  • As a fixed fee: this is a set fee taken from the contractor’s fee
  • As a percentage: this is when the fee is worked out as a percentage of the contractor’s earnings

Often, the percentage fee option can be worse for the contractor, meaning that if the contractor begins to earn more, they will pay more in fees to the company. Therefore, it's always important to look at how the umbrella company charges its fees.

Another thing to consider when comparing umbrella costs is whether the company charges their fees as net or gross fees.

  • Gross fees: when an umbrella company charges a gross fee, the contractor is charged the fee prior to tax relief being applied
  • Net fees: when an umbrella company charges net fees, however, the contractor is charged the fee one tax relief has been charged

Clearly, this can also have a significant impact on how much the contractor will pay in fees, so this is also important to look out for when comparing costs.

Are there any extra costs to take into consideration?

On top of the costs we have already outlined in this guide, umbrella companies can also charge some extra costs for particular services.

These include:

  • Charges for signing up: some umbrella companies will charge the contractor a one-off fee when they join the umbrella company. Although this is a one-off cost is important to look out to ensure you get a fair deal.
  • Charges for leaving the umbrella company: likewise, some umbrella companies will charge a fee when the contractor decides to leave the umbrella company.
  • Charges for admin tasks: it is also worth noting that some umbrella companies will charge extra for certain admin tasks, including things like processing same-day payments or expenses. If these are things that you will make regular use of then this is worth checking, as you might end up forking out a lot for these services.
  • Charges for insurance cover: finally, some umbrella companies can charge additional fees for extra levels of insurance cover. Although every umbrella company must legally provide Umbrella Companies Professional Liability and Professional Indemnity Insurance, some contractors will need additional cover depending on their contract, so if this is the case, it’s always important to check what the additional costs will be.

Next steps – find your perfect umbrella company

Now you know how umbrella companies charge their fees, how much you can expect to pay and what you will get in return, it’s time to take the next steps and find the perfect umbrella provider for you.

That's where Umbrella Supermarket comes into play. Our quick and easy-to-use umbrella company calculator makes finding the best umbrella company for you hassle-free. Just put in your details and we will show you a list of the best companies based on your needs. Ready to give it a go for yourself today?

Would you like more information on How Much are Umbrella Company Costs??

Explore More Resources

Decision Making

Is PAYE Better Than Umbrella?

If you are considering contracting you will need to decide on PAYE or umbrella.

It can be a difficult decision to make and contractors will inevitably be questioning which option will be the best for them.

To help every contractor get on the right track for them, in this guide Umbrella Supermarket looks at PAYE vs umbrella, outlining the key differences and how this will impact you.

using an umbrella company

Why Should Contractors use an Umbrella Company?

There are many reasons that contractors across the UK opt to work under an umbrella company.

Umbrella companies offer an easy way to contract and remove the need for the contractors to worry about the burdens of admin, finances, tax and IR35, all things that limited company contractors have to deal with.

For this reason, many contractors will be weighing up their options and questioning whether it is worth using an umbrella company in 2021. To help make the decision that little bit easier, Umbrella Supermarket has put together this guide on the pros and cons of using an umbrella company.

 

umbrella company fees

Does an Umbrella Company Charge Fees?

Any contractor that is considering operating through an umbrella company in 2021 will need to understand Umbrella Company fees - from why an umbrella company charges fees, how they are paid to how much the contractor will pay.

In this guide, Umbrella Supermarket answers those all-important questions to help every contractor know exactly where they stand when it comes to umbrella company fees.

 

What makes a good umbrella company

What Makes a Good Umbrella Company?

If you’ve made the decision to contract through an umbrella company in 2021, you will next need to find an umbrella company that’s right for you.

After all, there are lots of umbrella companies out there, so how do you know which one to choose?

To help you find the best umbrella company for you, in this guide Umbrella Supermarket outlines what makes a good umbrella company, so you can rest assured you’re making the right move.

umbrella company pensions

Guide to Umbrella Company Pensions

One of the many advantages to operating through an umbrella company for contractors is that they become an employee of their chosen provider.

In turn, this means that the contractor will be automatically enrolled onto the umbrella company’s workplace pension scheme.

To help contractors find out more about umbrella company pensions Umbrella Supermarket has put together this handy guide.

 

using an umbrella company

Beginner’s Guide to Using an Umbrella Company

If you are considering contracting through an umbrella company you will naturally have questions and queries over how they work.

After all, making the move to umbrella can be a big step for contractors. To help, in this guide Umbrella Supermarket explains how to get started with an umbrella company and share our top tips for using one in 2021.

 

PAYE and Umbrella

Guide to PAYE vs. Umbrella

PAYE or umbrella is a question asked by every contractor. Which one you opt for will have a big impact on your contracting career and lifestyle. So, it's important to make the right decision for you.

To help makes things a little bit easier, Umbrella Supermarket has put together this guide on PAYE or umbrella, outlining the key differences between each, to help you make the best and most informed decision for you.

Holiday Pay for Umbrella Contractors

Complete Guide to Holiday Pay for Umbrella Contractors

One of the many benefits to working through an umbrella company is that you will receive holiday pay as well as a range of other statutory benefits including sick pay, maternity and paternity pay.

To find out more about umbrella company holiday pay, and how to calculate how much you will be entitled to, Umbrella Supermarket has put together this handy guide.

umbrella company

When Shouldn’t You Use an Umbrella Company?

Contractors must make several decisions throughout their contracting careers. One big decision contractors have to make is how they will operate.

One way that contractors can work is through an umbrella company.

Umbrella companies have become an increasingly popular way to contract in the past few years, offering many benefits to the contractor. But, how do you know whether this option is right for you?

To help every contractor make the right decision for them, in this guide, Umbrella Supermarket explains when not to use an umbrella company.

umbrellas

The truth about HMRC approved Umbrella Companies

There are tons of benefits to using an umbrella company, which is why they have become such a popular option for contractors in recent years.

After all, an umbrella company takes away the stress and hassle of operating through a limited company whilst offering contractors a range of advantages, such as statutory rights, paying them a salary, deducting correct tax levels and National Insurance, and taking care of tasks like expense processing and invoicing.

However, as more and more contractors opt to use the services of an umbrella company, more providers have started to claim that they are HMRC approved.

To bust the myths around HMRC approved umbrella companies and get straight to the facts, in today's guide Umbrella Supermarket look at whether HMRC approved umbrella companies really exist, so you know exactly where you stand.

Choose Between PAYE or Umbrella

How to Choose Between PAYE or Umbrella

Every contractor faces the decision between PAYE or umbrella, but how do you know which is the best option for you?

After all, PAYE and umbrella both have key differences, meaning contractors should do their research to find the best path for them.

Thankfully, Umbrella Supermarket is here to help. In this guide, we take a look at PAYE vs. umbrella, explaining what you should know before making the all-important decision.