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How can I find umbrella company reviews?

Posted Sep 25, 2009

Before choosing a contractor umbrella company, you are likely to seek feedback and read reviews on companies in your shortlist. But how do you access this information?

Pretty much all umbrella-related information is online these days, but unfortunately the reliability of much online content is questionable.

1) Positive umbrella company reviews are easy to find, but site owners are often forced to remove or edit 'negative' comments posted about umbrella company services by contractors (the same applies for all types of service - accountants, agencies, etc.)

2) Many umbrella companies are now fairly web-savvy, employing web marketing companies to 'spread the word' - this includes posting reviews and information wherever they can, not all of it objective in nature.

As we've mentioned in our popular tips on choosing the best umbrella company, the best umbrella company reviews you can get are from other IT contractors. Unlike recruitment agencies who may receive kickbacks for recommending umbrella companies to new contractors, current contractors will typically provide no-nonsense advice on selecting an umbrella scheme.

For a reliable online information source, the Contractor UK forums have always been well run, and the sheer volume of posts can provide a good guide to the reputations of many umbrella company providers.

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