The advantages of using freelance consultants is that they add value to your projects because of their talent, but they don't have the overheads of permanent staff, so allow you to adjust your budgets as and when you need.

Freelance Daily Rates

Freelance consultants, sometimes referred to as "contractors", generally charge a daily rate for their work. These vary considerably according to the market, discipline, skills required, the level of experience and the length of contract. In certain circumstances they will charge a project fee. Some freelance consultants will add VAT, but others will not be registered. You can view typical daily rates here.

Project fees

Some freelance consultants will charge project fees, rather than daily rates, depending on circumstances.

Expenses

If a freelance consultant is working from your office, it is unlikely that there will be many expenses incurred. But all expenses chargeable by the freelancer to the hirer should be agreed at the outset and could include telephone, email/Internet access, photocopying, fax, couriers and travel.

National Insurance and Holiday Pay

The employment status of freelance and independent consultants will affect whether you pay national insurance and holiday pay or not.

There are three options:

• Employed and paid through the PAYE system - you are responsible for their National Insurance contributions and other employee rights, including paid holiday.
• Self-employed and registered as a sole-trader - you pay them on submission of an invoice and they generally have no employee benefits.
• Limited Company - you pay them on submission of an invoice and they have no employee benefits.

Those who are self-employed or a Limited company are likely to attract a higher daily rate than a consultant with the same experience to compensate for no employee benefits.

Xchangeteam Fees

Xchangeteam offers transparent pricing. Depending on the service that you require, we charge in a variety of way based upon a percentage of the consultant's total gross fees or on a consultancy basis. Please call an Agent to discuss our fee structure in more detail.

Who Pays?

Either you can be responsible for paying the freelance consultant, or we can pay them on your behalf via our payroll bureau service at no extra cost. As they are operating outside the corporate environment, prompt payment is essential.

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