---
title: "Help Centre | Frequently Asked Questions | Ant Assist"
description: "Answers to common questions about Ant Assist's virtual assistant services for UK businesses: pricing, onboarding, working with VAs, data handling."
url: "https://ant-assist.com/help/"
---

Help Centre

# Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the most common questions about working with Ant Assist.

Getting Started

**How does Ant Assist actually work?**

We recruit, screen, and manage dedicated virtual assistants from our managed offices in Egypt, matched specifically to your business. You get a single VA (or several) who learn your tools, brand, and workflows, and who Ant Assist supervises day-to-day so you don't have to. Pricing starts from £5/hour. Most clients start with a discovery call, get matched with a VA, and then have their VA live.

**How do I get started?**

Book a free 15-minute discovery call from our homepage. We'll understand what you need, recommend a role and hours, and confirm fit. If we proceed, we sign a service agreement and start matching you with a VA. A one-off onboarding fee of £695 (currently £495), payable on signing and non-refundable. Service fees are invoiced monthly, one month in advance; the first month is paid before your VA starts. No deposit. Fees exclude VAT, which is added where applicable.

**How long does it take to be matched with a VA?**

It depends on the role and any specific industry experience you need. We don't quote timing because matching the right person matters more than matching the fastest person.

**What if I'm not sure which type of VA I need?**

Book the discovery call regardless. We'll talk through what's taking your time, what outcomes you're after, and recommend a role (or combination). Many clients start with one VA covering admin and customer service, then specialise as the workload grows.

Pricing & Payment

**What will I pay each month for a part-time or full-time VA?**

At the standard rate, a part-time VA (20 hours a week) is £520–£680 a month and a full-time VA is £880–£1,300 a month, depending on the role and level. During the £5/hour introduction it is from £400 a month part-time or £800 a month full-time. Monthly fees are paid in advance; the savings calculator gives an estimate for your own role and hours. For extra hours, ask us in advance; they are recorded and added to that month's invoice at your agreed additional-hours rate.

**What's included in the hourly rate?**

The VA's working hours, our supervision, daily team management, and access to your dedicated account contact at Ant Assist. For three months from your VA's start date, if you're reasonably dissatisfied with their performance or fit, we replace them at no extra cost; you're not charged for the replacement during their handover and onboarding, and the three months restart. After probation, if a VA keeps underperforming after we've taken remedial steps, we replace them on the same basis. There are no employer NI contributions, pension contributions or holiday pay obligations, and we absorb all of those. The one-off onboarding fee is charged separately.

**What fees are there besides the hourly rate?**

A one-off onboarding fee of £695 (currently £495), payable on signing and non-refundable. Service fees are invoiced monthly, one month in advance; the first month is paid before your VA starts. No deposit. Fees exclude VAT, which is added where applicable. For extra hours, ask us in advance; they are recorded and added to that month's invoice at your agreed additional-hours rate.

**How does billing work?**

Service fees are invoiced monthly, one month in advance; the first month is paid before your VA starts. We accept bank transfer or direct debit. If an invoice is not paid by its due date, we may charge statutory interest and compensation under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 and, if it remains unpaid, suspend the services on written notice until it is paid.

**What happens if I want to reduce or increase hours?**

You can reduce hours on 30 days' written notice, subject to any minimum commitment. For extra hours, ask us in advance; they are recorded and added to that month's invoice at your agreed additional-hours rate. Timetables other than 9am to 5pm UK time are available on request.

**Is VAT charged?**

Fees exclude VAT, which is added where applicable.

Working With Your VA

**Will I have the same VA every day, or do they rotate?**

You get a dedicated VA. Same person, every day, working only on your account. We don't rotate VAs across clients, so your VA learns your tools, your tone, your customers, and your preferences over time.

**What hours does my VA work?**

Standard hours are 9am to 5pm UK time, Monday to Friday, excluding UK public holidays: 8 paid hours a day, with the lunch hour paid. Our team in Egypt is 2 hours ahead of the UK, so coverage during your business day is straightforward. Extended hours or weekend cover are available at an additional rate, agreed in advance. Timetables other than 9am to 5pm UK time are available on request.

**How do I communicate with my VA?**

Whatever way works for you: email, Slack, Microsoft Teams, WhatsApp, daily standups, weekly check-ins. Most clients use a mix of asynchronous messaging for day-to-day work and a weekly call for planning.

**What if my VA goes on holiday or is unwell?**

Up to 28 days' holiday a year including public holidays (pro-rated for part time). We coordinate leave and arrange cover for planned absence where reasonably practicable.

**Can my VA use my tools and systems?**

Yes. We onboard your VA into whatever stack you already use: your CRM, help desk, project management, communication tools, accounting software, anything. We don't ask you to switch tools to fit us. We provide and secure your VA's devices, with standard Microsoft packages included. Any other software you need is at your cost.

**How do I manage performance?**

You don't, directly. Performance management is Ant Assist's responsibility. We send monthly performance reports; you complete a short monthly feedback form. Raise any specific concerns with your account contact. We handle reviews, retraining, and (if needed) replacement.

**What if my VA isn't a good fit?**

For three months from your VA's start date, if you're reasonably dissatisfied with their performance or fit, we replace them at no extra cost; you're not charged for the replacement during their handover and onboarding, and the three months restart. After probation, if a VA keeps underperforming after we've taken remedial steps, we replace them on the same basis.

Security & Data

**How do you handle confidential business information?**

Every Ant Assist VA is under contractual confidentiality obligations. We can sign additional NDAs if your business requires it. We use role-based access controls so the VA only sees what they need. Our full data handling practices are in our [Privacy Policy](https://ant-assist.com/legal/privacy-policy/).

**Are you GDPR compliant?**

Yes. We comply with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. Where we process personal data on your behalf as part of delivering services, we act as a Processor under UK GDPR Article 28, and our service agreement includes the required data processing terms.

**Where is my data stored and processed?**

Your VA works inside your own systems, under your policies; you're the controller and we're the processor, under our Data Processing Annex. Your VA works only from our managed offices in Egypt, on devices we provide and secure, never from home; your data stays in your systems. Your VA uses only AI tools you approve. We notify you of any personal data breach within 48 hours. Your VA accesses your tools using credentials you provide and that you can revoke at any time. Where we hold any client information (contracts, billing, communications), it's stored in UK and EU-located services with appropriate safeguards.

**What happens to my data if I leave?**

At the end of your contract, we either return or securely destroy any client personal data we hold for you (your choice). Your VA's access to your systems is revoked. We retain a small amount of business contract data (invoices, contracts) for the period required by UK tax law (6 years) and then delete it.

Contracts & Commitment

**How long is the contract?**

The initial term is 12 months from the start date, which includes a 3-month probation period. After 12 months, the contract continues on a rolling monthly basis until either party gives 30 days' notice. Most clients stay much longer than the initial term.

**Can I cancel anytime?**

No. The initial term is 12 months, including a 3-month probation: if your VA isn't the right fit, we replace them at no extra cost. After 12 months it continues monthly with 30 days' written notice. There's no "cancel anytime" mid-contract option, since VAs are dedicated to your business, and we hire and train them on that basis.

**What's the probation period?**

The initial term is 12 months, including a 3-month probation: if your VA isn't the right fit, we replace them at no extra cost. After 12 months it continues monthly with 30 days' written notice.

**What if I need to pause the service?**

We don't offer formal "pause" arrangements. If your needs change, you can reduce hours on 30 days' written notice, subject to any minimum commitment, or end the agreement on 30 days' written notice once the initial 12-month term is over. Pausing creates more disruption than it solves for both you and the VA, so better to reduce or restructure.

**Can I bring my VA in-house?**

During the agreement and for 12 months after it ends, you can't employ or engage your VA, or any candidate we presented, other than through us without our written consent. We invest significantly in recruiting, training, and supervising VAs, and the restriction protects that investment.

About Ant Assist

**Who is Ant Assist?**

Ant Assist (trading as AAVA Group Ltd) is a UK-registered company providing UK-managed virtual assistant services. We're registered in England and Wales (Company No. 15325330). Our team is split between UK management and our managed offices in Egypt, where our VAs are based and supervised day-to-day.

**Why Cairo?**

English proficiency in Egypt is high (Egypt ranks consistently in the EF English Proficiency Index for the region), Egypt is 2 hours ahead of the UK, which gives full working-day coverage, and the cost arbitrage lets us offer professional VAs at a fraction of UK in-house cost. Cairo specifically has a large pool of educated, English-fluent professionals well-suited to UK business contexts.

**How is Ant Assist different from other VA providers?**

Two main things. First, we **manage** the VAs: we're not a marketplace where you hire and manage individually. We employ, pay, train, supervise and support your VA, and provide their office, equipment, HR and IT support. Second, we're built specifically for UK businesses: UK contract law, UK working hours, UK tax compliance, and VAs trained on UK communication norms.

**How do I contact Ant Assist?**

For new enquiries, the fastest path is to book a discovery call from our homepage. For existing clients, your account contact is your first point of call. For general questions, data protection or legal matters, email info@ant-assist.com. You can also find Ant Assist on Google. See [our Google Business Profile](https://maps.google.com/?cid=10297858552549304310) for our Birmingham office details and reviews.

No questions match. Try a different search or [contact us](https://ant-assist.com/contact/).

## Still have questions?

Book a free 15-minute call and ask us anything.

[Book a free 15-min call](https://ant-assist.com/book/) · [Email us](mailto:info@ant-assist.com)