You’re probably half-convinced about the value of outsourcing your PA services but aren’t quite ready to commit. Maybe you’ve been quietly drowning in admin for months but are unsure that an outsourced PA works for you. Here’s a straightforward blog about contracting a VA (aka virtual assistant). It’s not intended to be a sales pitch, just some facts to help you decide.

Would a virtual PA work for me?

Almost every small business owner we speak to has the same concerns before outsourcing for the first time: Is this really necessary? Can I justify the cost? What if I hand something over and it goes wrong?
Being cautious is sensible. You’ve built your business and handing over tasks that you’ve managed perfectly well until now, takes trust. But that concern is probably why your inbox is overflowing or why you don’t have time to do other (often more valuable) tasks.

What does an outsourced PA do?

We find that it helps to be clear on what you’re paying a VA to do. To be honest, a good outsourced PA can handle a wide range of tasks, from diary and inbox management, to scheduling, booking travel, communicating with clients, preparing documents, research, coordinating suppliers, you name it! The easiest way to think about it is that they can do anything that’s important but doesn’t require you specifically to do it.
That last part is the key. Your time has a value, a real, measurable one, and every hour spent on administrative tasks is an hour not spent on revenue-generating work, strategic thinking, or even having some time away from the business.

What does an VA cost compared to an in-house admin assistant

It’s very easy for a business owner to compare the monthly cost of outsourcing their administration directly against the cost of doing the admin themselves. Of course, if you do it yourself, it feels like it’s ‘free’ but that’s because you may not have valued your time. The best way to quantify the cost of a VA is to compare an outsourced PA to an in-house hire.

A full-time employed PA in the UK will typically cost between £25,000-£35,000 per year in salary, then there’s Employer’s National Insurance contributions (NICs), pension, holiday pay, sick pay, and the time it takes to recruit and manage a person.

An outsourced PA, by contrast, usually operates on a flexible retainer or hourly basis. This means that you only pay for the hours you actually need, with no hidden extras (office space, computer, phone, coffee!) and no HR headaches. It’s likely to be a lot cheaper to outsource than to employ.

But there are even bigger savings…

These savings are harder to quantify but are definitely tangible. When you know that your diary is being managed, your emails answered, and the routine tasks are handled consistently week after week, something will shift for you. You will stop operating in constant reaction mode and will have more time to think about growth plans, seek out opportunities, and you may even have some time to go outside for a walk (simple pleasures!). We bet that you start showing up to client meetings prepared. You begin to think two steps ahead rather than scrambling to catch up. All because there is professional, reliable support working quietly in the background, ensuring all the admin is done.

In the words of one of our clients: “Think of it less as delegating tasks, and more as buying back the bandwidth to actually run your company.”

Sometimes a VA is not right for your business

In the spirit of keeping things balanced, an outsourced PA isn’t a perfect solution for everyone.
If your workload is truly minimal and you’re comfortable managing it yourself, the investment may not yet be justified. Similarly, if your tasks need deep, day-to-day operational knowledge that takes months to build, an in-house hire might serve you better in the long run. And if you’re not yet ready to hand over certain tasks, maybe some part time support would work better so you can build up trust.

Knowing all this is important. We’d rather you come to a decision with clear eyes than feel let down later.

Would outsourcing to a PA work for your business?

Most small business owners are time-poor but still spend valuable hours each week on tasks that don’t require their expertise. By using an outsourced PA, they can reclaim this time to focus on working on their business. Then there’s the peace of mind that comes from having reliable, professional support. That’s priceless!

If you’re ready to explore how hiring a very experienced and efficient Hour Hands PA will help your business, just give us a call. We’re always happy to discuss options and packages to ensure you get all the support you need – and deserve.

Give us a call today on 01727 818262 or email us on hello@hourhands.co.uk. We look forward to talking.