Remote Helper vs. In-House: Uncovering the True Cost for UK Businesses

Remote Helper vs. In-House

Uncovering the True Cost for UK Businesses

By Remote Helper | 16/07/2025

As a UK business owner, you're constantly weighing decisions that impact your bottom line. One of the biggest? How to get essential tasks done – from admin and social media to customer support and digital marketing. The traditional path often leads to hiring an in-house employee, but have you truly considered the full financial picture?

At Remote Helper, we believe in clear, transparent pricing and flexible support. Let's uncover the real costs of both options, helping you make an informed decision for your business's growth and efficiency.

Visual comparison of costs for in-house vs remote hiring

The Apparent Costs of an In-House Employee in the UK

On the surface, hiring an employee seems straightforward: you pay their salary. But even this "apparent" cost quickly expands once you factor in mandatory contributions:

Gross Salary

The agreed-upon wage.

Employer National Insurance (NI) Contributions

A significant additional cost, currently around 13.8% on earnings above a certain threshold. This is money you pay on top of their salary.

Pension Contributions

As an employer, you're legally required to contribute to your employees' workplace pensions. This typically starts at 3% of qualifying earnings.

Even before they start, these mandatory additions can increase your employee's effective cost by 15-20% beyond their gross salary.

The Hidden Costs: Where the Real Expenses Lie

This is where the financial impact of in-house hiring often catches businesses by surprise. These "hidden" costs can quickly add up, making a full-time employee far more expensive than anticipated:

Recruitment & Onboarding

Advertising costs, recruitment agency fees (15-30% of first-year salary), time spent by you or your team on screening and interviews, and onboarding materials.

Office Space & Equipment

Increased share of rent and utilities, cost of desk, chair, computer, software licenses, maintenance, and IT support.

Training & Development

Time and resources for initial training, ongoing professional development, and lost productivity during training periods.

Employee Benefits & Perks

Paid leave (holiday, sick, maternity/paternity), health insurance, staff socials, and other perks.

Management Time

Time spent on supervision, performance reviews, and handling HR issues.

Turnover & Replacement Costs

The cost of replacing an employee can be anywhere from 50% to 200% of their annual salary, factoring in lost productivity, recruitment, and retraining.

When you tally these up, a £30,000 annual salary can easily balloon into a total cost of £45,000 - £60,000 or more per year, per employee.

Remote Helper banner image showing focus and growth

The Transparent Cost of Remote Helper

This is where Remote Helper offers a refreshing alternative. With our One Plan, you get professional, highly skilled support with rates starting from just £25 per hour, going down to £20 per hour for larger packages.

What's included in that price?

Dedicated Support

Access to a skilled Remote Helper.

No Hidden Fees

The hourly rate is what you pay.

No Recruitment Costs

We handle the hiring, vetting, and matching.

No Employee Benefits

No NI, no pension, no holiday pay, no sick leave.

No Office Overheads

Your Remote Helper works remotely, using their own equipment and office space.

No Long-Term Contracts

You purchase hours weekly, giving you ultimate flexibility. Scale up, scale down, or pause as your business needs change.

You only pay for the productive hours spent directly on your tasks. There's no wasted time, no overheads, and no surprises.

Making the Smart Choice for Your UK Business

The decision to hire in-house versus utilising flexible remote support isn't just about the numbers, but the numbers certainly paint a clear picture. Remote Helper provides:

Cost Efficiency

Eliminate hidden costs and pay only for productive work.

Unmatched Flexibility

Adapt your support week-by-week, aligning with your current workload and budget.

Access to Diverse Skills

Tap into a pool of experts across admin, social media, customer service, and digital marketing without needing to hire multiple specialists.

Time Reclaimed

Delegate essential tasks and free yourself to focus on strategic growth and revenue-generating activities.

If you're looking for a solution that offers clear, straightforward support and transparent pricing, it's time to consider how Remote Helper can transform your business operations.

Ready to Experience Flexible, Cost-Effective Support?

Explore Our One Plan Today

Don't forget: Claim 10% off your first order!