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Paying employees

Ohiovalleyroofcleaning.com · Guest

I'm new to roof cleaning and will pay a ground $10.00 per hour. I am use to paying subs on a price per piece basis, that is, 85 per window installed or 90 per sq of siding. I like this set up because I know what my laber cost will be. I plan on using this method later on. There are a lot of advantages to this pay method. If the sub has to go back to a job that is on him not you. This gives him the incentive to do a better job and to get the jobs done. It will also save you a ton in tax and paperwork.

Roof Cleaning Richmond VA 804-687-4960 · Guest

$10 an hour in Richmond attracts some very hard working legal hispanic workers. Some of these guys are as tough as nails and will go sun up to sun down and never complain. Many of them have done tree work or landscaping and seem to enjoy holding a hose with cold water flowing.

Great White Technologies · Roof Cleaning Institute Of America Certified Roof Cleaner

I have another question to go along with this thread.

Would it be better to hire someone outright or go to a temp agency for maybe $15 per hour and let them worry about the workmans comp, payroll etc. etc? Especially since the need is going to be spotty to start with.

Just wondering what others did when they were starting out.

Ohiovalleyroofcleaning.com · Guest

I have tried temps in my home improvement co. It did not work. They start out like a ball of fire for the first check then fizzle out. Word of mouth seems to work best for me. Any time I start a new adventure as I talk about it , I will usualy find the person I am looking for. I am lucky I have 10 full time people working for me and the the newest has been with me for 5 years the rest range up to 20 years.

cabair72 · Guest

Have you thought about using sub contractors?

I have two guys that are very flexible (time wise) because they have there own businesses but do to the current economy have little to no work.

Plus to sub contrators:
-Hard workers
-Have there own insurance
-Have valid drivers licenses & reliable transportation
-No Workers Comp on your end
-Flexible schedules
-No continuing work load comitments (if you don't have work for them you don't have to pay them)

Negatives to hiring sub contractors:
-Generally not a long term solution
-Have to pay a little bit more per hour

I have found that using subs can be a good way to buy time as you are looking for a long term employee and they are more then willing to refer you work from their own portfolio of past clients.

Just a thought.

Thannks

Ohiovalleyroofcleaning.com · Guest

Another plus to subs is that you don't match their soc. sec. withholdings. One thing to be careful of, don't train someone who may become your competition. Get everyone that does work for you to sign a non compete.

cabair72 · Guest

A non complete is a good idea.

With the waterproofing end of my business I don't worry about the subs becoming my competition because I am the only authorized applicator for the products I use in my geographical area.

Regarding the roof cleaning I will have to keep the mixture components to myself. If one of the subs would express an interest in the business I certainly don't have a problem with them doing the same work as long as they understand there have to be boundaries in place (geographical) & they need to become a member of RCIA & do thier own due dilligence to learn the business.

I think this site is great and is the best way to learn the correct way to operate a roof cleaning business.

Thanks,

roofcleanray · Guest

Depending on your state, non competes don't work.
Also,
Ground & Flush techs are a $10/hr position. I don't reccommend using different people to do this. The man on the ground's job is every bit as important as the man on the roof's job.

Guest

roofcleanray wrote:

Depending on your state, non competes don't work.
Also,
Ground & Flush techs are a $10/hr position. I don't reccommend using different people to do this. The man on the ground's job is every bit as important as the man on the roof's job.

Yeah its something like the right to work law, but if done right you can get around that. the key is they can get a job in the same field as they were in and you can't do anything about it but if they start there own company and you can prove that they learned the trade from you and they left with your secretes then they can get burned. Thats why its good to have a non compete thats done by a legal proffesional. we use that in conjuction with the independent contractor agreement. That way you can 1099 them and save your self the double witholdings.

Baltimore MD Roof Cleaning 410-482-4367 · guest

Since you are a startup Greatwhite, I think you can pay your first $600 in "casual labor", consult an accountant on that. Also, temp agencys have a way of changing the person working for you, especcially if the work is spotty, the problem with that is you may need to train a new guy on every job, and that sucks up extra time. Also one guy might be worth the $15 were another guy might not. There are payroll services online that charge low fees to help you deal with seperating the proper taxes. I just pay with quickbooks payroll, on the program and a yearly fee for it too update the tax codes. Ask your bank about setting up a withholding account, and that is were you dump the taxes for each check you write. If work is going to be spotty and your slow in the begining, just pick up a college kid or high school grad off for the summer looking for part time work, in your neighborhood. I grab em up, if I have a job that requires extra ground men.

Cash jobs might help ??

Using a online payroll service is cheap and easy according to some friends of mine.
you give them the money foar all the taxes and payroll and they right the checks.
Maybe someone else here uses one and can recomend one to you?

MIKE: on those independent contractors, have you found a way to have your insurance cover their work, or do they need thier own?? I guess if all they do is tarp and water they really wouldn't need liability?

Chris Bair: I like your idea alot, and think Pat might be able to hire this way as well. I recently hired a local handyman, and have used him a few times now. He is a very experienced carpenter, and has great mechanical ability and understanding of complex systems. As well he has his own insurance. A person that is mechanically inclined can go a long way. Instead of beating on your equipment, they tend to figure things out.

So as you can see Pat there are alot of choices. In my vote experience and know how cannot be beat, so I try to keep the same person as much as possible. I think guys with insurance may have alot more free time on their hands to work side jobs these days, meaning they may be easier for you to find now then they ever were.

-- Edited by Baltimore MD Roof Cleaning 410-482-4367 on Monday 4th of May 2009 04:03:48 PM

Great White Technologies · Roof Cleaning Institute Of America Certified Roof Cleaner

Thanks for the suggestions. Good ideas all of them. That is why I like this board. Gather all views and opinions and then you can make an informed decision. I appreciate the help that you all are willing to offer.

Roof Cleaning Richmond VA 804-687-4960 · Guest

A labor relations lawyer should always put together a none compete clause. They argue them in court for a living and understand how to avoid the loopholes. Commonwealth States, right to work verses pro union states will be issues that define an enforceable labor contract. Proprietary information versus Common knowledge information has become a very grey area due in part to the Internet. I have learned much of this information the hard way and hope it will help others to avoid the same.
Scott

The Roof Cleaning Institute Of America Training & Certification Forum "Find A Certified Roof Cleaner Directory"

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"Find A Certified Roof Cleaner Directory"