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Software Contracting

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Comments

  • #32
    AARRRRGH
    Closed Accounts Posts: 566 ✭✭✭AARRRRGH


    Dantes wrote: »
    Hey, interesting thread, I'm just back from some extensive traveling and need to get back in the saddle. I was thinking about contracting in London (I'm a software engineer (~7 years experience(many languages but favourite is C#)), some of the rates look good, and I think I could manage my finances well enough myself.

    I've never done contracting before, can someone explain why you they ask you to setup a limited company here?

    Also, I've no base in London so would have to sort out accomodation etc, is it easy enough to get setup over there, if you've never contracted before? Are you also expected to pay for flights for interviews etc?

    Many thanks!

    You can stay somewhere like the travellodge for about €50 a night to get started, until you get settled. Easily done on upwards of £500 a day. It costs hardly anything to fly over for an interview. Getting the time is the hardest part. A lot of companies will interview you on the phone anyway as they'll know the story.

    You could also hook up with an agency in Ireland that places people in the UK. That way you could learn how it all works.

    Better off basing yourself in Ireland. Why?
    No IR35.
    You get an Irish company. Flights, food and accommodation then become legitimate expenses. I cant remember but you are allowed around €150 a day expenses for working in London when based in Ireland. That money comes out of your company into your pocket BEFORE tax. Nice little earner. Check it out.


  • #33
    Dantes
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 109 ✭✭Dantes


    Thanks AARRRRGH! That's really helpful. Any agency you could recommend over here? Might be useful for the first contract at least.


  • #34
    AARRRRGH
    Closed Accounts Posts: 566 ✭✭✭AARRRRGH


    Dantes wrote: »
    Thanks AARRRRGH! That's really helpful. Any agency you could recommend over here? Might be useful for the first contract at least.

    Its so long since i went through an agency to the uk now, i cant remember who is still around and who isnt. I always found epeople and computer futures good like that. Maybe try a few who are based both here and in the uk.
    I'll ask some of the lads I know who have gone and see if any of them used an irish agent.

    Try ringing a few and tell them what you want to do and see if they can help.
    Basically you want them to invoice the uk company. Then you invoice them.
    Then technically you are working abroad but for an Irish company. This opens up some nice expenses options for you.


  • #35
    Dantes
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 109 ✭✭Dantes


    Cheers, if it's no bother to do it without an agency, I'll just apply to a few online myself, I'm sur eyou'd have a month or so to get the company setup anyway once you got the job sorted. Right?


  • #36
    cronos
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,720 ✭✭✭cronos


    AARRRRGH wrote: »
    All our testers in Dublin are being hired via the WPP scheme at the moment.
    There are far more applicants than jobs for testing, so its an employers market there. (You can look up UK rates on the web if you are interested in going there - thats what i would do)
    Hiring of VB.Net devs is about to go the same way. Management were already talking about putting vb.net jobs up on the fas site as those devs are easy to get.

    A sad abuse of the system, but what can you do. The top brass see a way to save some money offered by the government and they take it. Its unfair on the ordinary working man, but it increases companies profits. You know which one the government feel is more important.

    Can't say that's the case where I work anyway. Their are allot of people out there who do a three day course in software testing and suddenly think they are a tester.

    Consultancies would also be very unlikley to hire through the WPP due to possible damage to the brand. But each company to their own I guess.


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  • #37
    Zulu
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,967 ✭✭✭✭Zulu


    AARRRRGH wrote: »
    All our testers in Dublin are being hired via the WPP scheme at the moment.
    ...it's sad but probably true; quality is always the first thing cut when people attempt to tighten their belts.

    I disagree though, there are plenty of test jobs out there, and any company would easily recognise a serious professional tester to a novice.

    Daily rates are the same for anything else - it all depends on your experience & professional qualifications. A ISEB/ISTQB qualified practitioner with 5+ years experience will command daily rates comparative to any developer with similar experience.

    Scrimping on quality is a total false economy, and I personally wouldn't work for any company that did. It's all going south if they are doing it, and it's only going to get worse. Time to jump ship!


  • #38
    DublinWriter
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,599 ✭✭✭DublinWriter


    Dantes wrote: »
    I've never done contracting before, can someone explain why you they ask you to setup a limited company here?
    It's because they want to indemnity themselves if you decide to feck off without paying PAYE/PRSI.

    Career progression is tricky with contracting.

    For the money, niche skills are definitely the way to go, whether it be ITIL, SAP, PeopleSoft, Security, Sharepoint etc.

    I'd be very wary of starting off contracting too young and just doing c#/vb.net with asp.net. You'll find your skillset getting old very fast.


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