Dec / 14
Four gifts for the contractor’s Christmas wish list
It’s often said that contracting isn’t just a job, it’s also a lifestyle. With this in mind, there are some Christmas gifts that’ll make every contractor’s life run that little bit smoother in 2019 – here at Contracting Scout, we look at four strong contenders for the contractor’s Christmas wishlist. 1. Time Tracking AppsWhen contractors
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Dec / 11
Registering your Limited Company for VAT & Making Tax Digital
For contractors operating through their own limited company whose turnover exceeds the upper tax threshold, registering for VAT is a legal requirement. The upper tax threshold is also the point at which you need to register for the government’s new digital tax scheme that has been introduced to make the VAT system more efficient. If
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Dec / 4
How to land contracts with high value clients
How to land contracts with high value clients For contractors, the primary benefit of working with high value clients is obvious – high value clients will have bigger budgets to spend on projects. This not only offers the contractor the chance to negotiating higher rates of pay, it increases the likelihood of securing longer or
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Nov / 29
How to keep developing your skills as a contractor
Unlike full-time employment where an employee can reasonably expect to receive training that will progress their career and increases their salary, contractors don’t have the same opportunities to develop their skills on the job. Contractors are hired on the basis of their tried and tested skills, rather than their potential, and are only paid for
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Nov / 20
How contractors can market their personal brand
Last week, Contracting Scout looked at the benefits of creating a personal brand for contractors. This week we look at promoting your brand. Once you’ve created your brand, you need to make it visible, and this is where the real work begins. Start by thinking about your target audience and the best ways to advertise
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Nov / 13
Why contractors should create a personal brand
Despite ongoing concerns over Brexit and changing government legislation, the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed’s (IPSE) confidence index report showed an increase in contractor’s confidence levels during the last quarter. Across all sectors, the top factor in increasing positivity amongst contractors was the value of brand and reputation in building a freelance business. Developing
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Nov / 8
Autumn budget announces two-year freeze on VAT threshold
It was widely speculated that Phillip Hammond would lower the small business VAT threshold to £50,000 in last week’s budget. However, the Chancellor announced that the current threshold will remain frozen at £85,000 for a further two years. This was a welcome break for small businesses and limited company contractors whose turnover is below the
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Nov / 6
How contractors can manage stress
According to a recent study conducted by the Mental Health Foundation, three in four Britons have been so stressed over the last year that they’ve felt overwhelmed or unable to cope. Never before have we been expected to fulfil so many personal and professional roles, with many people struggling to stay ahead of complex daily
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Oct / 26
What is a Second Charge mortgage and should it be my first choice?
Once considered as a last resort option for raising funds, Second Charge Mortgages are quickly becoming part of mainstream lending, as more homeowners than ever before look for an alternative to remortgaging or taking out a personal loan. Contracting Scout’s mortgage partner, CMME, has put together this helpful post which outlines everything that you need
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Oct / 25
Budget Update: What can contractors expect?
At the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham, Philip Hammond stated: “The Conservative Party is, and always will be, the party of business”. Looking ahead to next week’s budget announcement, this assertion could be put to the test. In June Theresa May pledged £20 billion in additional funding for the NHS by 2023. Earlier this month
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