Contractors vs Freelancers - what's the difference?

[leifkendall]

Is there a difference between freelancers and contractors?

What differentiates the two?

[zara_blackdog]

Don't think there is any difference in IT.

However in freelance journalism you obtain a story and sell it to the highest bidder. As a contractor, you are contracted to do a specific bit of work.

[Beefy198]

Agree about IT. I think it's a phrase distinct to media types.

Us in the real world just get on with our work

[zara_blackdog]

Originally Posted by Beefy198

Agree about IT. I think it's a phrase distinct to media types.

Us in the real world just get on with our work

Get on with our invoicing!

[Rob Crossland]

Difference (for me) is in the word Contract(or). Contractors tend to work on a project basis typically defined by a contract and freelancers (in general terms) tend to work on multiple and sometimes concurrent assignments, sometimes without a rigid contract.

[CrazyMoose]

contractors = tend to work through agencies on longer term assignments (i.e. IT contractor)
freelancers = tend to work direct on an ad-hoc or daily / by job basis (i.e. copywriter)

That’s my take anyway..

[Bel]

Contractors: freelance sole traders and incorporated micro-businesses of any size that supply business services to clients on a contract for services.

[CrazyMoose]

Originally Posted by Bel

Contractors: freelance sole traders and incorporated micro-businesses of any size that supply business services to clients on a contract for services.

...or a 'services contract' if you work outside IR35. I think a 'contract for services' generally suggests deemed employment (inside IR35) but hey that's just me being pedantic!

[Bel]

Originally Posted by CrazyMoose

...or a 'services contract' if you work outside IR35. I think a 'contract for services' generally suggests deemed employment (inside IR35) but hey that's just me being pedantic!

I'm afraid you're incorrect, Crazy Moose.

'Contracts for services' are terms that the vast majority of flexible workers work to, even when using recruiters. That includes registered temps too.

Even for tax, rather than employment, purposes, a 'contract for services' is so named because it describes the more typical 'freelance' B2B working model, as listed under the IR56 guidelines for 'self employment' (likely outside IR35)

It's a 'contract of service' that describes likely deemed employment (inside IR35).

[curleyted]

Am I going crazy Bel? I've read your post a couple of times and I think you're saying the same as CrazyMoose

...or a 'services contract' if you work outside IR35

It's a 'contract of service' that describes likely deemed employment (inside IR35).