Skip to content
Contract Eye Contract Eye

News and resources for IT Contractors

umbrella company uk for contractors
  • Limited Company
    • Contracting via a limited company – advantages and disadvantages
    • How to set up a limited company as a contractor – comprehensive guide
    • Limited or umbrella company – which is best for contractors?
    • Choose a limited company name — and what to do If you change your mind
  • Umbrella Company
    • How to compare umbrella companies: 20 things to consider
    • Contractor umbrella company fees – how much do they charge?
    • How can you find umbrella company reviews?
    • Umbrella Company Directory
    • Umbrella Company Calculator – calculate your net pay (2025/26)
  • IR35
    • IR35 and Off-Payroll explained – a simple beginner’s guide
    • When was IR35 introduced? Timeline from 1999 to 2023
    • Download free IR35 contract templates and example clauses
    • Guide to IR35 contract review services for IT contractors
  • Accounting
    • Contractor accountants – what to look out for
    • Do you have to appoint an accountant for your limited company?
    • Your company annual accounts – the basics, and filing deadlines
    • Top 10 Contractor Accountants (2025)
  • Tax
    • What is the most tax-efficient director’s salary in 2025/26?
    • Corporation tax – guide for limited company contractors
    • Limited company tax basics for contractors
    • What are limited company dividends and how are they taxed?
  • Expenses
  • Insurance
    • Business insurance – what’s mandatory?
    • Professional Indemnity
    • Life Insurance
    • Income Protection
    • Private Medical Cover
    • Critical Illness Cover
  • Work
  • Finances
    • Contractor Pensions
    • What is a SIPP?
    • Contractor Mortgages
    • Business Banking
churchill knight recommended umbrella

Being a Contractor

How to set up in business as an IT contractor, find contract work and deal with the world of recruiters and clients.

Here are our key guides to starting up, and enjoying a long and successful career as a professional contractor:

  • How to become an IT contractor – key steps to follow to make sure that contracting is the right fit for you.
  • Which factors determine how much contractors earn? – your ability to learn relies on your own skills, as well as the current state of the market and general economy.
  • Dealing with recruitment agencies – most contractors work via agencies. How to deal with the murky world of recruitment.
  • Contracing advantages and disadvantages – the pros and cons of life as a contractor, compared to working as a traditional employee.
  • Interviews – why preparation is the key to success – why people skills are still important in the insular world of IT contracting.
  • How to write the killer contractor CV – make sure your CV stands out and isn’t one of the majority that go straight in the bin.
Invoice Template Download

How to invoice agencies and clients as a contractor + free template

8th September 2025
What to include on contractor invoices, how self-billing works, and your statutory rights on late payments. Includes a free Word invoice template.
Read More
it contractor rates how much can you earn

Contract rates: how much will you earn as an IT contractor

1st August 2025
How to work out what IT contract rate you can charge, and where to find average IT contract rate data online. It's harder to source than you'd think!
Read More
linkedin it contractor

How to give your IT contractor LinkedIn profile a boost

19th June 2025
Almost all recruitment agencies use LinkedIn as a sourcing tool, and many IT contractors cite it as one of their top three sources of leads.
Read More
security clearance it contractor

Security clearance guide for IT contractors – what you need to know in 2025

19th June 2025
Why security clearance is needed, how to obtain it, the different levels, typical timeframes, and practical considerations for IT contractors.
Read More
contractor or freelancer

Contractor vs freelancer – which one are you (and why It matters)?

18th June 2025
Freelancer or contractor? Learn the key differences in structure, tax, and IR35 – and which model suits your work style best.
Read More
IT contract renewal time

Contract renewals: should you push for a rate increase?

18th June 2025
When your IT contract comes up for renewal, should you ask for a higher rate? Learn how 2025 market conditions and IR35 affect your chances.
Read More
Cons Pros IT Contractor

What are the pros and cons of IT contracting?

1st May 2025
We look at the main positive and negative aspects of being an IT contractor, from the greater freedoms it brings, to the lack of security you might feel.
Read More
KID contractor

Key Information Document (KID) – guide for umbrella contractors

22nd January 2025
All umbrella workers should receive a Key Information Document (KID) from their recruitment agency before starting a new contract.
Read More
Contractor CV

What recruiters want to see on an IT contractor’s CV

12th January 2025
Clients and agents need to recruit people who can join a project and get on with the job from day one. Accordingly, contractors' CVs need to be to-the-point and accessible.
Read More
Becoming an IT Contractor

10 essential steps to get started in IT contracting

2nd January 2025
Our guide for first-time IT contractors. How to get started – from quitting your job, to trading options and finding your first contract role.
Read More

Posts pagination

1 2 Next page
Search Our Site
Aardvark Accounting
Aardvark AccountingAardvark Accounting - £89/month

Full monthly service, incl. FreeAgent! Find out More
SG Accounting – Special Offer
SG AccountingFirst 3 months from £59.50/month!

Bespoke planning for tax efficiency.
Find out More

IR35 Insurance – Just £99/year + PI and business liability cover
ir35 insurance

The UK's leading contractor insurer.
Find out More



About Us | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy

All content © Contract Eye Limited 2006-25 | All Rights Reserved
Scroll to Top