desperate 4 LTD company formation services !

[smirch]

Hi,

I am in the process of setting a car parts and accessories business, operating as the UK distributor for a German car styling company.

I need advice on where to go to set up my LTD company, I have looked in trade journals and there are many formation services company offering LTD formations from £45 - £199. What concerns me is that its hard to differentiate one co. from another.

Can someone recomend a reputable company that will allow me to get the essentials - and not the Add-ons ( i.e. I dont need a trading history , secretarial services, website, bank a/cs etc!)

Also, I would like to find a company that is not going to overcharge me on things that I may have to change while the business gets setup! By this I mean - I need a registered office and mailing address. tho in the near future I will probably need to change the details , and i dont want to be stung with high fees.

If someone has some suggestions on companies that offer VAT reg services, experience with the Auto industry, accountancy contacts in N.London - even the better!

Thanks

Mirch
compare - save - buy @ www.broadbandhub.co.uk

[gary]

Ah, you've come to the right place! Quickformations ( www.quickformations.com ) is your best bet. :)

[autolycus]

By this I mean - I need a registered office and mailing address. tho in the near future I will probably need to change the details , and i dont want to be stung with high fees.



Hi,

Changing the company's registered office is simple and costs nothing. Just download the appropriate form from www.companieshouse.gov.uk and send it off to them. You may even be able to complete it online these days - it's a while since I last looked.

Dave.

[10 Yetis]

Mirch,

If you shout, Ozzy Ozzy Ozzy, loud enough I am sure someone will come along to help. :)

[Ozzy]

LOL :-)
Hello Smirch,
If you want a no frills Limited company formation then I can recommend my basic service. It will set your company up, you dont have to order any "extras" and as soon as Companies House catch up with their backlog since their systems crashed over a week ago, your company shoudl be registered by the enext day. (35 quid)

You can change your registered office for free through my website once the company is formed. You will need to file a form 287, which can be found under the "Other Forms" menu once you have logged into my website (you get your username and password after you have placed your order).

[simonread]

I recommend Quickformations (www.quickformations.com) as well. I have used Quickformations myself, and also refer many of my clients to Quickformations, who have also been happy with the service.

The service is user-friendly, very quick and cost effective.

Simon

www.innovationcentres.co.uk

[MikeH]

I thought I should at least throw my hat in the ring.

We provide company formations for £49.95. That includes all fess (companies house, printing, VAT and postage), there is nothing else to pay and provides you with a full set of printed company documents including the following-

Certificate of Incorporation
Mem & Arts
Combined Register
Share certificates

You give us a call and we do the work for you.

If you need any Companies House forms you can download them all from this link (they are all free)-

http://www.sfsgo.com/companieshouseforms.asp

As Richard has pointed out Companies House are having a few problems but they are catching up. If you need any advice just give us a call on our free phone.

Mike.

[smirch]

Hi guys,

Thanks for your suggestions, I will look at all the sites and your posts on this forum and hopefully find a suitable co. for me.

Thanks

-S

[smirch]

ok , im still a little confused :(

the registered address services is looking a little expensive so is it possible for me to use my home address ? are there any issues i should consider b4 using my home address?

im also looking to register for VAT, dyu know if any of the suggested companies can give me any advice or assistance with registering?

Thanks

- S

[Alpha]

smirch

As Ozzy said you don't have to use any of the other services if you don't think that you will need them.

There is no problem with using your home address as the registered office, legally this is where you should keep your company register, minutes of meeting held etc and is also the address that the Inland Revenue will use as their first 'port of call'.

With regards to registering for vat ' ask away and I will answer. If you want to ask the questions off site then by all means use the PM facility or e mail me direct.

[Ozzy]

Hi Smirch,
Yes you can use your home as your registered address, as Alan says its the "legal" address of the company where notices and communications from government bodies and the likes can contact the company.
For example, I have my registered address at my accountants office as they look after statutory filings for me.

[MikeH]

There are only a few reasons to keep your registered office seperate from your home address.

Your home address will be declared at Companies Hose on a public register. This is generally not too much of a problem. There are a few companies that use the register as a resource for junk mail. I know of formation agents that will send unsolicited mail to new companies advertising domains, websites etc. even Dell use the register from time to time. There are also some scams that try to get you to pay for data protection registration (ignore these).

If your property is rented there may be clauses that restrict you from operating a business from your home.

You may want to hive the impresion that you are based elsewhere, for example London.

These are just a few points, if these are no problem then you do not need to pay for a registered office service. A good rule in business is do not buy or pay for what you really do not need.

Mike.

[james constant FCCA]

Hi

I am not implying that you have not, but many people go into business without checking first if a ltd company structure is the right solution for them from a tax point of view as opposed to trade in your own account or as a partnership? Please bear in mind that tax planning errors are usually difficult, time wasting and costly to reverse and in the meantime they cost in terms of unnecessary paid taxes. Considerable tax advantages could be achieved by having the right format.

Also, it makes perfect sense for a new business to have a business plan as it ensures that no crucial factors are overlooked before throwing good money, either the entrepreneur's or investors'. People make the mistake of thinking that have everything worked out in their head but as soon as they start writing a plan they discover new issues, sometimes so critical that not dealing with them can make the difference between and failure success .

Wishing you all success.

James Constantine FCCA
Chartered Certified Accountant
http://www.taxadviceuk.com
FREE Tax Tips for the smal business owner and the start-up in understandable language

[smirch]

So the company has finally been formed tonight, cheers Oz.! ..Next step VAT headaches!

[Ozzy]

VAT need not be a headache :)
What makes you think it will be?

and... thanks for the order ;)

[VeryMark]

You don't need to use anybody else's services for VAT registration - most people I think do it directly with Customs & Excise - but you need to consider under which scheme to register, i.e. cash accounting (you only pay or reclaim VAT as invoices are settled, so old debts are not a problem), annually, or on the normal basis.

By the way, have you checked that the name you are using is free for use in the UK and doesn't infringe anyone else's trade mark?

We have considerable automotive experience, e.g. GKN, Mini, Land Rover, etc.

[Legal Clarity]

Here at Legal Clarity we offer a very comprehensive limited company formation service tailored to small businesses. Its £79 (inc VAT) for the full pakage. Check out our website.

Unfortunately I can't post the URL because I am a new member - sorry about that - but if you click on the username (above) "Legal Clarity" you can choose to visit our homepage.

There is plenty of free guidance on the site. I hope you find it useful.

Cheers

James
--------------
Legal Clarity Limited
08456 800 727