HiringaFreelanceDeveloperThroughaUKLimitedCompany:WhattoExpect

You'll receive invoices from the freelancer against an agreed scope of work — at milestones for fixed-price engagements, or on a regular billing cycle for hourly work. These are treated as a normal business expense, the same as any other supplier invoice, and should be kept for your company's own records.

This is general information, not tax advice — your accountant can confirm any VAT treatment relevant to your specific arrangement, particularly if the freelancer is based outside the UK.

A proper agreement should cover scope of work, payment terms and currency, IP assignment (work product transferring to your company), and confidentiality. This is standard for any freelance engagement and should be agreed before substantive project discussion begins.

If IR35 is a relevant consideration for your engagement structure, that's worth discussing with your accountant early — though for a fully overseas contractor invoicing directly rather than operating through a UK limited company, it typically sits outside the specific mechanics IR35 addresses. This is general information, not legal advice.

Fixed-price engagements commonly start from USD 500, milestone-based. Hourly engagements run USD 25–45/hr with a 10-hour minimum. A written quote is typically available within 48 hours of a scoping call, and an NDA is standard practice before detailed project discussion.