Contractor Financials

Time is fast running out for Contractors who may be hoping to take advantage a key tax saving opportunity. The suspension of stamp duty land tax offers first time buyers, purchasing their first home, relief from this brutal tax on a house value of up to a value of £250,000. This saving of up to …

With the New Year now firmly underway it’s time to shrug off those January blues and plan for what’s sure to be another eventful year If the last 4 very dramatic years on Planet Contractor have shown us anything it’s that, as a Freelancer, it is vital to plan ahead so that you’re ready to …

In today’s Autumn Statement, Chancellor George Osborne left little to the imagination when he outlined what Contractors can expect over the coming year and beyond. Further cost cutting measures and a more conservative economic outlook were to be expected but Osborne also revealed plans to aid small businesses and the next generation of Contractors alongside …

October saw the launch of the Agency Workers Regulations (AWR) which has changed the way that many Contractors work through their umbrella company. AWR is designed to bring working conditions in line for both agency and permanent workers because, after an initial twelve week period, you are in theory now entitled to claim the same …

This week’s announcement that the Bank of England base rate will remain at the historically low level of 0.5% may continue to lull borrowers in to a false sense of security… Many Contractors have simply stayed put on their lenders Standard Variable Rate (SVR) once their original fixed or discounted scheme expired and whilst this …

Gazumping seems to have reared its ugly head again recently as many of our Contractor clients have found themselves being outbid well in to the buying process. Thankfully our new Contractor Home Buyer service saves you from this evil Estate Agents tactic… Last seen at the peak of the market in 2007/8, ‘gazumping’ is a …

The record low interest rates that we are currently enjoying have made mortgages cheaper than ever with the average three bedroom property costing £608 per month with a mortgage compared to £706 per month in rent according to research by Halifax. Three years ago, the cost of buying was 43% higher than the cost of …

The mortgage team at ContractorFinancials have had a very busy April and with double bank holidays to come we expect to see more Contractors finding their dream home over the next two long weekends. Traditionally, Easter is always a popular time for moving house and our advisers are ready to pre-approve you for a mortgage …

Contractors have to date been happy to sit out the credit crunch on low Standard Variable Rates (SVR) from their lenders. Now, with mounting fears of a rise in the base rate, there has been heavy remortgage activity this month as Freelancers look to lock in current low rates… Before the ‘credit crunch’ it was …

December saw house sales hit a three year high and many of our Contractor clients jumped on the ladder in what has been our busiest quarter for several years. However, in this restricted housing market, many of you are finding it tough to find a suitable property and so our new Contractor Home Search is …