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Hiring cost calculator.
Compare the true cost of hiring a temporary worker versus a fixed-term employee, including on-costs.
Total cost by model
- Fixed-term employee ✓
- £36,125
- Agency temporary worker
- £48,807
- Direct contractor
- £41,006
- Permanent year-one hire
- £70,250
Fixed-term employee is the lowest modelled cost. It is 4,881 cheaper than the next option. Use judgement if speed, continuity, control or IR35 risk matters more than direct cost.
Indicative estimate only. Real costs depend on the terms you agree, so treat this as a starting point for a conversation rather than a quote.
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Hiring cost calculator
Questions people ask
Why is the cost higher than the salary?
Because employing someone costs more than paying them. Employer National Insurance, pension contributions, equipment, software licences and the recruitment cost itself all sit on top. For an architectural role the true cost is typically well above the headline salary, which is worth knowing before you set a budget.
What is the three-month trigger about?
Agency Workers Regulations give agency workers the right to equal treatment on pay and basic conditions after twelve weeks in the same role. It changes the cost of extending a contractor, and it is a common surprise when a short engagement runs on.
Does this include the cost of the role being empty?
No, and that is often the largest number. An unfilled role costs in delayed projects, overtime absorbed by the rest of the team and work turned away. Whatever this calculator shows, weigh it against how long the seat stays empty.