Housemates

Freedom has a home.

At Pivotal House, smart contractors and ambitious agencies become Housemates — unlocking better ways to work, earn and grow. Freedom has a home here.

Contractors join our umbrella for simple, stress-free support, fair pay, and real mentorship.
Agencies that meet our standards earn the title of Housemates, gaining access to investment, partnership and lasting opportunity.

Apply to join

Smarter Contracting. Real Growth. One House.

At Pivotal House, we make contracting simple — and growth sustainable. Our umbrella service sorts your PAYE deductions, offers flexible pension options, and gives you full mobile access to your pay and records. No paperwork. No chasing.
Same-day Faster Payments are standard.

Contractors choose Pivotal House for quick answers, fair support, and a service that just works. Complete your timesheets and we’ll do the rest — often without you even needing to send them, thanks to our agency partnerships.

For agencies, Pivotal House unlocks even more. We invest in proven partners who meet our standards, bringing them into the group as Housemates — with real backing, shared services, and a path to long-term growth.

Whether you're a contractor or an agency, freedom has a home here.

What could joining mean for your contracting career?

Find out in under 10 seconds.
Enter your rate. See your real take-home pay.

Calculate Your Net Pay

Net Pay Estimate

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How Contractor Housemate Pay Works, Simply Explained

When your agency gives you a rate, it's usually the limited company rate — not your personal pay.
This can be confusing. Here’s how it really works:

  • From the agency rate, we deduct Employer’s National Insurance, Apprenticeship Levy, any Employer’s pension contributions (if applicable) and Pivotal House’s margin (A minor fee and 5%).

  • What’s left is your taxable gross pay.

  • PAYE tax and Employee’s National Insurance are then applied.

Under the government's Good Work Plan, agencies must provide a Key Facts Document that breaks this down clearly.
If you haven’t received yours yet, ask for it before you start.

Other key points to know:

  • Salary sacrifice pensions save you both tax and employer’s NI. For every £2,000 you contribute, it costs you about £1,130 as a basic rate taxpayer or £850 as a higher rate taxpayer.

  • Workplace pensions: if you qualify, you’ll be auto-enrolled after 90 days. You can opt out if you choose.

  • Travel expenses: if you aren’t under supervision, direction or control, you could claim home-to-site travel. We’ll guide you through a simple check to confirm eligibility.

  • Pay structure: your gross pay includes Basic Pay and a Conditional Payment.

  • Holiday pay: included in your pay upfront (rolled up and pre-paid).

  • Tax assumptions: based on the 1257L tax code, with correct handling for basic, higher, and additional rates — and tapering for incomes over £100k.

  • Umbrella Plus Package: if you join, the weekly margin increases by £3.75, reducing your net pay slightly — by £2.35 (basic rate) or £1.89 (higher rate) per week.

  • Margin: your illustration assumes a £22 weekly margin plus 5%. This can vary based on the package you choose.

For a personal, exact breakdown based on your setup, call our Welcome Team at 01603 630 016.

Contractor FAQ

  • For contractors, Pivotal House is where smart people join forces under one trusted roof — combining the freedom of independent work with the security and support of a world-class umbrella.

  • You get:

    • Same-day Faster Payments

    • Full PAYE compliance with no hidden costs

    • Mobile-first access to pay, timesheets, and records

    • Pension options built around you

    • Real human support, not call centre scripts

  • Once your agency confirms your hours, we process your payment through Faster Pay — meaning your money usually lands the same day it's released.
    You focus on the work. We sort the boring bits.

  • Yes.
    You're free to choose your assignments and agencies — we just handle the admin, pay, and support behind you.
    Think of it like having a world-class finance, HR and compliance team — without giving up your freedom.

  • We take care of it for you.
    Your taxes and NI are deducted automatically before your pay hits your account.
    You’ll get clean, clear payslips — no surprises, no chasing.

  • You can opt in to a workplace pension, or we can help you set up a private salary sacrifice pension — which can save you even more on tax and NI.

  • Yes.
    At Pivotal House, we keep it simple and transparent:

    • We charge just 5% of your gross revenue,

    • Plus a small, fixed weekly fee — similar to what other leading umbrellas charge.

    There are no hidden deductions, stealth costs, or surprises.
    You’ll always know exactly what you’re paying — and exactly what you’re getting.

  • If your role meets the government’s "no supervision, direction or control" (SDC) test, yes.
    We'll guide you through a short validation process if you're eligible — and handle the rest.

  • Legally, they should.
    If they don’t, we’ll help you chase it — because you deserve to know your true pay rate and deductions up front.

  • Simple.
    Fill out a quick application, send over your ID and basic details, and we’ll get you set up fast — usually within 24 hours.

What could joining mean for your agency?

Find out in under 10 seconds.
Enter your numbers. See your future.

Unlock Your Agency’s Value

Your Estimated Value

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Ready to unlock real value without selling your soul?

Now, you can.

Get in touch

Agency FAQ

  • Pivotal House for the agency is a creative group built by founders, for founders.
    We invest in high-performing agencies, helping you scale faster, protect your culture, and build long-term value — without giving up control.

  • We invest a 51% stake in your agency, giving you an upfront payout while you retain 49%. This can be all cash or part cash and part ownership in Pivotal House (as an investor yourself).
    You keep your brand, your leadership, and your team — but now with shared services, strategic support, and a wider network behind you.

    • Immediate liquidity without losing your independence

    • Shared services (finance, HR, ops, marketing) to cut costs and free up focus

    • Access to group-wide clients, leads, and deals

    • Growth coaching and operational support

    • Optionally use your 49% equity to re-enforce your senior leadership team

  • No.
    You control your future.
    You can hold your 49%, sell it later, stay long-term, or offer it to Pivotal House when you're ready. We can also help you create management buy-out options with your team, if you'd like.
    There’s no forced exit clock ticking behind you.

  • We focus on creative, digital and marketing agencies that are:

    • Profitable and founder-led

    • A strong cultural and strategic fit

    • Experts in branding, UX/UI, creative tech, performance marketing, content, or communications​

  • Each agency contributes 15% of gross revenue to Pivotal House Group.
    This funds shared services, cross-sell opportunities, group branding, and central growth initiatives — all designed to multiply your long-term value.

  • We’ll arrange a confidential chat first.
    If it feels right on both sides, we’ll move into a light due diligence phase to confirm fit, culture, and numbers — fast and founder-friendly.