Setting up a limited company for contracting
More and more people are choosing to go it alone and set up as a contractor. And why not? Contracting has considerable benefits: greater flexibility, higher pay and the ability to work with new clients, for starters.
With many companies still reluctant to hire full-time employees, many people see setting up a limited company for contracting as a way of increasing their revenue and their job satisfaction at the same time.
We’re seeing it in all sorts of different industries, from construction to web design, and everything in between. But making the decision to become a contractor is just the beginning. Once you’ve made that decision, it’s time to ask yourself if it’s worth setting up a limited company to work under.
Why do it?
There are many benefits to setting up a limited company when contracting. Here are a few:
Flexibility: You can manage your business however – and from wherever – you want.
Tax: If your income goes up, you may find yourself pushed into a higher tax bracket. Forming a limited company allows you to pay yourself a salary at a lower tax bracket and make up the rest of your income through dividends. These are charged at a lower tax rate than personal income.
Limited liability: The good thing about being a limited company is that it limits the extent of your liability. You will be protected personally in case the company runs up debts or slips into liquidation. Equally, if there are any legal claims brought against you these will be levied against the company rather than you yourself.
A professional image: Being a limited company presents a more professional image to potential clients. Whether suppliers, customers or potential investors, we instinctively trust a company rather than an individual.
Getting started
So, how do you go about setting up a limited company for contracting? The good news is it’s much easier than you might think. Indeed, you can have the application sorted in as little as ten minutes.
To do this you will need to choose a name. In an ideal world, you may want to operate under your own name, especially if you have built up a good reputation as a contractor. However, if another company has already taken this name, it might not always be possible. Try searching for the name you’d like to operate under to see if it’s available before you get started.
You’ll also need a company director and at least one shareholder. If you’re moving from contracting you can perform both roles.
Setting up a limited company as a contractor couldn’t be simpler or more affordable. We can advise on the best time to make the change and everything that’s required of you for legal purposes. Just check out our special contractors’ package, or continue browsing the help centre.
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Registered agent
Included with this bundle
A 3 in 1 service that protects your privacy, all other directors privacy and includes our mail forwarding service.
Registered office address:
On the public register, use our address as the business’s registered office address
Service address:
On the public register, use our address as all the directors service address
Mail forwarding:
Quick and efficient mail forwarding and junk mail filtering. No additional handling or postage fees.
Registered agent
Free for 3 months with this bundle
A 3 in 1 service that protects your privacy, all other directors privacy and includes our mail forwarding service.
Registered office address:
On the public register, use our address as the business’s registered office address
Service address:
On the public register, use our address as all the directors service address
Mail forwarding:
Quick and efficient mail forwarding and junk mail filtering. No additional handling or postage fees.
Registered agent
Free for 12 months with this bundle
A 3 in 1 service that protects your privacy, all other directors privacy and includes our mail forwarding service.
Registered office address:
On the public register, use our address as the business’s registered office address
Service address:
On the public register, use our address as all the directors service address
Mail forwarding:
Quick and efficient mail forwarding and junk mail filtering. No additional handling or postage fees.
Legal and finance
Protect your business legally and financially with:
Company credit checks:
Carry out company credit checks powered by Experian's most comprehensive and current credit data to make sure you're doing business with the right people by picking the right customers and securing your supply chain.
Company credit monitoring:
Monitor all your key customers and suppliers credit statuses and get email alerts of any significant changes. Make sure your customers can pay what they owe and your suppliers can deliver the goods they promise.
Debt recovery Toolkit
Manage all your customers' credit in one place. Download and send different payment chasers, reminders and monthly statements to make sure that invoices are paid on time and in full.
You can send a solicitor final warning letters and even take court action to recover what you're owed!
Legal Documents:
Easily create all the legally enforceable contracts, documents, policies and procedures your business could need to sing the simple, straightforward document creator wizard.
Safely store all your documents online, where you can access them wherever and whenever you want.
Legal Health Check:
Complete the simple question-answer form and discover exactly what documents your limited company needs to be legally protected.
24/7 Legal Advice:
Get legal support and advice when you need it. Access an extensive library of legal how-to guides, news bulletins of all the most recent legal developments and a 24/7 telephone support helpline.
Knowledge hub
The Formations Company and Companies House
What is a Private Limited Company?
How long does it take to register a new company?
When should I change from sole trader to limited company?
Limited Company Vs Sole Trader: Advantages and Disadvantages
