In the world of industrial recruitment, few things are as frustrating as unclear pricing. If you’ve ever looked at your rate calculations and thought, “how does this add up?”, you’re not alone. We don’t think transparent pricing should just be a box to tick – it’s the foundation for building trust and making sure your business gets the value it deserves.
Money talks – but is yours saying what you think it is?
Let’s face it, if your current supplier can’t explain exactly how their rates are calculated, that’s a red flag. Hidden costs, vague explanations, and unexpected surcharges can leave you questioning if your spend is working hard – or hardly working.
Clarity isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s non-negotiable for making informed decisions and maintaining control over your spend. Without transparency, it’s impossible to see whether the rates you’re paying align with the value you’re getting - or if you’re funding inefficiencies that could have been avoided.
Margins that look too good to be true (which means they probably are)
A low margin might look good on paper, but it often hides overcharges in other areas. Are you paying more for overtime or holiday pay than you should? Is your supplier’s markup quietly creeping into costs labelled as ‘extras’? Because, if it feels too good to be true, it probably is.
And here’s the real risk: some providers offering suspiciously cheap rates are using umbrella schemes to drive down costs. These schemes are now under increased government scrutiny, and for the first time, liability could be traced back to your business directly – just as we saw with IR35.
With upcoming regulatory changes, the days of outsourcing risk through questionable supply chains are coming to an end. If your provider’s rates seem unusually low, it’s worth asking why – before your business finds itself caught up in compliance risks it never signed up for.
Transparent pricing done right
Pricing shouldn’t be a guessing game. We keep it simple, competitive, and - most importantly - clear, using the Association of Labour Provider’s (ALP) transparent charge rate guidance as the foundation for how we structure our rates. It’s not just industry best practice - it’s how we make sure every client knows exactly where their money is going. And this year, another cost factor is at play: the Employer’s National Insurance (NI) thresholds and contributions are shifting, bringing significant cost implications. If your supplier is offering reduced rates despite these increased costs, it’s worth questioning how they’re making up the difference. We help businesses navigate these changes with accurate, transparent rate calculations, ensuring full compliance and financial clarity.
Here’s what that means for you:
- All our costs are broken down so nothing’s hidden in the ‘fine print’ (we know you’re heard that before).
- No sneaky fees creeping in to eat away at your margins.
- A fair, industry-backed structure that keeps everything above board.
Let’s get transparent together
We’re taking our commitment to transparency a step further this March with our ALP rate reviews. Whether you’re already working with us or considering making the switch, these reviews are designed to ensure you’re getting maximum value from your recruitment spend.
Ready to eliminate the guesswork? Contact us today to discuss how we can take the stress out of pricing with clear, honest, and tailored solutions for your business.
