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I am going to pay someone to caulk around several windows of different properties I own, also do some general cleanup such as power washing sidewalks & driveways, maybe cleaning out gutters too. Some of it involves climbing up on ladders. The windows are all different sizes so a "per window" fee doesn't work & also there's other general labor tasks so I want to pay an hourly rate. Have no idea what a fair hourly rate is since I generally do work like this myself or use general contractors when I renovate a property.
This is not a post asking for advice about liability issues, nor am I asking for feedback on my idea about hiring someone to do the work or what kind of worker I should seek. Just need input on hourly rate only.
I'd say $15/hr.
But, being in the industry I'd never pay someone hourly- it's "X" number of dollars for A, B, or C. Too many want to take advantage of the hourly and "milk it" for all it's worth.
For each specific job figure a price then negotiate from there.
Figure how long it would take for each job. Using that time figure $15.00 per hour and offer that flat rate on the job. If it would take about 2 hours to caulk the windows, offer $30.00 for that job. Each job is separate and make the offer to pay for each job or offer the total for all jobs combined. That avoids the lag behind to get more money. If the job is done in less time than you figured, the handyperson will still get paid a fair amount. Make sure you agree to the amount before the job is started.
That's how I do it.
Probably the "going rate" varies depending on where you live.
You can check Craig's List to get an idea of what others are charging.
We have guys that help us out occasionally. They work for $10 an hour for just manual labor. But, we always give them lunch and a good "tip" because they do work hard.
We have a more skilled man that we really like. He works alone or with my husband for $15 an hour. Again....we treat him well. And we trust him.
If a mechanic is well taken care of they'll do what's best for the person paying their wage. They may see something and bring it to your attention. A low paid, or piecework (if piece rate is too low) employee will do as little as possible to receive maximum pay. Disgruntled people have a way of showing dissatisfaction in the quality of their work.
I did piecework in the late 70's, and early 80's, but always made more than the union wage at that time. I was always happy to do the right thing. Bottomline, you get what you pay for. Some have no problem hiring illegal aliens, and then complaining about them at the family dinner. Do what's right, and you will be rewarded with a dedicated employee.
I just had 400 sq feet of screen (10 panels and 2 doors) replaced. I bought the screen. I paid the gentleman 250$ to do the work. I did that because I know he would do a excellent job. Paying by the hour is crazy. Pick a figure that you would want to do it. Then offer that.
I say go to Craigslist and look under the "gigs - labor" section to see what others are paying for similar work with similar experience required.
My son (21) does this kind of general labor work and doesn't have a lot of specific experience, but he is smart and a hard worker who follows directions well. He is generally paid about $10 an hour and that seems to be the norm for the area.
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Then offer that.
