How bad did I get ripped off by my handyman?

I pay my carpenter $25/hr and I supply materials...so in this case, 10 hours labor, $250 and roughly $150/materials and 2 hours round trip from my house to the big box store and return...

I would NOT complain...and keep him on my short list of tradesmen...

And I would have made my cement mixer, air compressor and jacks available.

Howard

 

Average person in Philly is willing to pay about $12 but many OK with $15.
On Long Island people make much more than average person in PA. Plus leaving expenses are more in NY. So I charge accordingly in NY.


PS I will charge more if I'm working without helper because I have to do redundant or crappy work myself.

 

Those metal mounts on the bottom of the pillars run about $30-40 a pop, You didnt get ripped off, he just did it right

 

So paying your helper $12 and charging him at $15 leaves you enough of a margin for workers comp coverage , insurances and any other burden you are responsible for legally ?

 

You are funny He works as independent subcontractor and files his 10-99 or whatever.

 

I'm not joking but the $15/hr charge out makes more sense now

 

I hope nobody ever gets injured!

 

A lot of contractors want to be paid in cash because checks leave a paper trail.

 

They want cash so you then can't call them out on their crappy work.

 

Not all, I get paid after work is done.

 

well that and they don't want to pay taxes. Also a contractor no matter how great he is....is only as good as the help he hires. Maybe he himself is worth $25.00/$40.00 bucks an hour but if he hires bubba and jewbul who are hungover and don't care to do the work the client may be getting a bad deal.

 

Cash just makes taxes a little bit easier. And is for things that people don't pull permits on.

 

Don't hire shitty contractors and pay cash cause you're just setting yourself up for using the guys that aren't legit

Self inflicted gripe

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOCvL_yWM7M

 

Not cheap, but could probably get three for under $200.

Yup... but that doesn't stop some homeowners and handymen from using them to support a lightweight roof like a carport or gazebo.

If there's a vertical component and the contractor does not pull a permit, I'm suspicious.

 

4 in. x 4 in. x 8 ft. Premium S4S Cedar Lumber $23


http://www.homedepot.com/p/Unbrande...mber-264784/203151250?N=5yc1vZ1z0ywx8Z1z11kdo

Honestly, alot of the work is performed without permit.

PS in some places like NY you will have to bent over to get permit.

(do you have architect plans for that MAILBOX?) That's the reason I moved out libtarded state.

 

Pressure treated cedar-tone 4x4 posts

http://m.homedepot.com/p/9-ft-x-4-i...one-Wood-Moulded-Fence-Post-162524/204126805/

 

Just because someone has all the paperwork, I.e. licensed; insured and the like, guarantees what exactly? In my experience of about 30 years... Not a thing!
Even Angie's List.. What a crock!

You take a chance no matter who you hire. If I want it done correctly and to my satisfaction, I DO IT. I have only myself to blame from there.

 

So you know how to do everything ? That's impressive I gotta say

 

I can keep you busy for years at $15 an hour. Give me a call.