When they use the term "handyman" I'd say they are talking about a one man operation without all the MAJOR overhead mentioned above. Not a Contracting COMPANY that does. The local jack of all trades guys here get $ 25/hr..plumbers @ $ 35
RGeorge E. Cawthon wrote: > As for labor costs, realize that $75 and hour translates into $150,000
$75/hr does NOT translate to a $150,000 salary. People need to quit equating a charged rate with hourly wages. They aren't equivalent. I don't do home repair, but am self-employed.
One of the biggest mistakes people make when going from employee to self-employed is to just take their currently salary x 2000 hours and that's their new rate. They then find out, that for their industry, November to February is completely dead and they only make 25% of what they make in "normal" months. Suddenly, they've taken a paycut even though they're "making" what they did as an employee.
Last, and most importantly, price is not a function of cost (what it cost the handyman to do the work), but rather of demand. If he's busy enough (and his definition applies, not yours) at $75/hr, then that's in perfect balance with supply and demand. If not, he'll end up lowering his rates to get enough work.
Recently, I had more work than I had time, so I raised my rates. I raised them again when there wasn't any change. Eventually, I raised them until I had the right amount of work to match my "supply" of time. If I decide to cut back to half-time or any other supply reduction, the same thing will apply.
Handyman - a person who does repairs for a specific hourly rate. If at any time, either party is dissatisfied, they can end the deal. Handymen should be licensed in their city/county where they are doing the work.
Contractor - a person who does specified repairs/construction for a preagreed price. If either party is dissatisfied, they can agree a compromise, or turn it over to the State Contractor's Board. A person who contracts is required to have a State Contractor's license.
This includes almost any work where anything permanent is attatched to a house or property.
If a person says, "I'll hang doors for $25 per hour," they are a handyman.
If a person says, "I'll hang two doors for $150, they are contracting," and depending on the state, may be committing a felony. In some states, even OFFERING to do specified work for a specified amount is contracting without a license.
I would request a price adjustment from the men who reamed you on the doors. If you don't get it, file a complaint with the proper authorities so that they are not allowed to run amok among the populace and do this to more people.
When hiring a handyman, if you don't know someone who is moral and honest, or can't find one through a referral from a friend, use handymen services. They cost more, but you are more confident you will get a qualified worker, and if there is a problem, you call them and they take care of it.
HTH
Steve
Actually, I'd strongly advise you to always pay the bill first. This is likely a home improvement and as such the handyman is entitled to place a mechanics lien on your property and cloud the title and posssible even sell your property at a non-judicial foreclosure on the court house steps. So pay the bill and then complain bitterely to him and the powers that be such as the BBB, Attorney General, etc.
In my state, Nevada, the mere offer of doing a specific job for a specific price constitutes contracting, and is subject to all the laws EVEN IF THE JOB IS NEVER STARTED.
That would be an easy thing to handle. In the first place, they probably won't do that unless they are licensed and reputable and 100% in the right. In order for someone to sell your property, notice must be given, affadavits of mailings, all sorts of things. It is not as easy as you intone.
An inflated baloon has more force than the BBB. Now, the AG, or Contractor's Board is a different thing.
I do it all the time. And when price comes up, I still have the option to take it or refuse it.
STeve
"George E. Cawthon" wrote
You said "My first question would he, who takes 2-1/2 to hang a screen door. " And as one example out of many, the reason could be an out of square opening. Comprehend now? Quit being such a bonehead, you cheap bastard.
Did you discuss price before the job?
If yes -- you agreed already. If not -- you shoulda.
Ahh yes. The flat rate manual. That's how the little boys make money. charge about 1/2 the time as the flat rate manual and still make out like a bandit.
That's all wonderful basic economics but everyone pays taxes. When you calculate how much a person makes, you don't figure how many deductions they make, their gambling debts, etc. Note that I also said if working full time. I'm glad for you that you can keep increasing your fees and still have plenty of employment. Those less fortunate have to reduce their fees to maintain full employment. All of which has nothing to do with a guy spending 2-1/2 hours at a cost of $150, which without more information, should have taken way less time and way less cost in many parts of the country.
LOL!
I can't tell you how many times I've heard, "You can afford it. You own your own business!"
-Phil Crow
And you get all that money at the end of the month. If there's any left, that is.
Steve
Sure, and everything is a tax write-off.
Another nice feature of owning your own business, you get to work half days. Pick any 12 hours.
On Tue, 03 May 2005 13:46:45 GMT, "Edwin Pawlowski" scribbled this interesting note:
12 hours? Is that all you work???-- John Willis (Remove the Primes before e-mailing me)
And you can take off anytime you want, you make your own schedule.
Anyone in the building trades in my area who needs to drop fees to get enough work is doing something seriously wrong.
That must be a part time job. Full timers will work more. Plus, you work any day that has a "y" in it.
Steve
And for half price. When I worked as an independent contractor, state tax, federal tax and social security took 52%.
was it worth it to you?
personally, for 150$ i wouldnt want 'help'. i'd want to sit back and shout orders from a lawn chair with a cold beer in my hand.
as a side note, its funny to me how quick people (americans in particular) are to comment that someone else is 'overcharging' or 'making too much money' and how this makes them a jerk. yet i expect these same people, in the same situation with the roles reversed, would call themselves a genius for making so much money.
all things in this world are negotiable. if you dont know how to negotiate, thats YOUR problem.
america is going to bury itself alive just to prove it can handle a shovel.
randy
I would have questioned him about it at that point.
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