Challenges of Finding Quality Wood Framers in New England

[johnny watt]

There is going to be a lot of transaction this month and a lot of low interest rate short term loans with a one dollar down payment too.

[JNComplete]

Why would they need to be insured???

It amazes me how many "contractors" want to hire employees (cuz that's what they are!), and expect them to have insurance, direct their work as if they are employees, and give them a 1099.

Tom

Well Tom, I think the contractor or the one doing the hiring has a legal and moral obligation to carry the appropriate insurance to adequately protect the employee and the homeowner/client. But in many cases, like say an ad found on Craigslist, you may still be expected to carry at least your own liability insurance, and still only make a wage of $14 an hour. And then hand them your tax id for your 1099.

JON

[taojing]

You should know that Maine is lilly white and you won't find all the illegal price slashing that occurs in the areas that are flooded with illegal immigrants working for false 1099 income and cash.













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[J.Buesking]

I agree with a little of everyone. The 1099 thing has gotten out of control. In several trades it's the only way to compete and actually obtain any profitable work is to sub it out and play the game. On large job's I've seen it trickle 3-4 different subs before it actually hits the workers.

Until the loophole is closed or at least enforced it's something that is going to be a major force in driving down the costs and profits of doing nearly all trades.

Let's face the fact that most of the guys that are just the "technician subs" (No real marketing or sales force) as I like to call them aren't even filling taxes or if they are can't afford to pay them. I've heard stories of companies just tossing another 20-30k worth of income on their 1099 knowing they aren't even filing. Pretty shabby and another example of the little guys getting screwed.

I have subbed lots of work out. I've also done it all in house with my own employee's. There is pro's and con's to each side of the fence. If the sub is good enough and has all their own tools, it's been my experience it's always simpler and more efficient to go the sub route.

Problem is you loose touch with getting things done how you want. If you can command profitable work I've found the best route is you and a couple guys. Less stress, greater satisfaction, and happier customers. If your only getting paid pennies though it's really not worth and you have to make it up in volume using subs.

[RyanT23]

I should have been clearer on my initial post. I am a national, union and non-union contractor with satelittes from coast to coast.

We are union in the New England region, so there is no attempt at me trying to "1099" or pay low wages. Sorry for the confusion.

I am happy to say that we found some great guys in the region and have a local base of over 60 and growing. Next stop is New Jersey/Philadelphia region. Any insight into that workforce would be greatly appreciated.

Seattle and Portland or two others in which information would be obliged into the labor market. The plan is to go union in both at the current time.

[Jay123]

Isn't it nice to get roasted Ryan, before any facts are known, lol.

[RyanT23]

Haha. The heat was turned on rather quickly wasn't it? I am guessing some previous employer posters set the tone for the assumptions most made. I am happy to say that I am the exception, and not the rule.

[Lavrans]

Haha. The heat was turned on rather quickly wasn't it? I am guessing some previous employer posters set the tone for the assumptions most made. I am happy to say that I am the exception, and not the rule.

I am still curious about my question. I'm assuming that, if you found some good people, that you either had bad luck with the first batch, or you managed to figure out the regional differences. If you're happy with people now, then you must have a decent training system in order to get crews doing consistent work over a wide geographic area...