Best luck with hiring?

Member since 2023 · 79 posts · 27 votes

Hey everybody! I was wondering where you guys have the best luck with hiring helpers? Seems like the labor pool is extremely weak these days… I’m trying to rebuild a new team here in Philadelphia. I have some ideas I’m going to try but I was wondering where others had good luck? Any online sources? Probably not huh? Lol how about trial periods? What are you guys paying helpers per hour?

0 Reply

363 views

Most Popular Reply

Bruce WoodruffPro Member

Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes

4mo

Quote from @Richard F.:

And TEST! Make them demonstrate their skills in specific key areas. Ask difficult technical questions. You would be surprised how many "electricians" do not know what gauge wire is required for a 2000 watt load. Or "drywall" experts that can't securely and effectively patch a 6 inch hole. Or "painters" with no clue about the requirements of basic ladder safety.

As a GC/Carpenter, we used to give an applicant a pile of wood and some tools and say "build a sawhorse". Sometime in the early 2000s that apparently became way too much to ask as no one had a clue how to do that. So I eventually dumbed it down to "grab a broom and sweep the floor"

You'd be surprised at how many guys could not sweep a floor......

I ain't making it up.....

4 Reply

See this reply in the discussion

16 Replies

Jump to latestLatest

Sort by

Bruce WoodruffPro Member
Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
5mo
I always asked carpenters from other crews, and even other GCs, who are the good guys you have worked with in the past...maybe ones you laid off when you were slow..?
I hated advertising and NEVER use Craigslist, you'll get a steady stream of whackos and liars, maybe 1 out of 20 is actually and good.
1 Reply
- William Rizer
  OP
  Member since 2023 · 79 posts · 27 votes
  1w
  haha I agree NEVER use Craigslist! I've worked with a number of these guys over the years....insane what you get off of there.
  0 Reply
Caleb Brown
Real Estate Agent · Kansas City · Member since 2018 · 4k+ posts · 3k+ votes
5mo
Asking for referrals and asking friends always brings contacts. You still have to vet and interview and anything else.
1 Reply
Richard F.
Honolulu, HI · Member since 2008 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
4mo
And TEST! Make them demonstrate their skills in specific key areas. Ask difficult technical questions. You would be surprised how many "electricians" do not know what gauge wire is required for a 2000 watt load. Or "drywall" experts that can't securely and effectively patch a 6 inch hole. Or "painters" with no clue about the requirements of basic ladder safety.
2 Reply
- Bruce WoodruffPro Member
  Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
  4mo
  Quote from @Richard F.:
  
  And TEST! Make them demonstrate their skills in specific key areas. Ask difficult technical questions. You would be surprised how many "electricians" do not know what gauge wire is required for a 2000 watt load. Or "drywall" experts that can't securely and effectively patch a 6 inch hole. Or "painters" with no clue about the requirements of basic ladder safety.
  As a GC/Carpenter, we used to give an applicant a pile of wood and some tools and say "build a sawhorse". Sometime in the early 2000s that apparently became way too much to ask as no one had a clue how to do that. So I eventually dumbed it down to "grab a broom and sweep the floor"
  
  You'd be surprised at how many guys could not sweep a floor......
  
  I ain't making it up.....
  
  4 Reply
- William Rizer
  OP
  Member since 2023 · 79 posts · 27 votes
  1w
  ahahahaaha! I believe the sawhorse thing, but sweeping a floor?!? Really??
  0 Reply
- Alan F.
  Flipper/Rehabber · CA · Member since 2023 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
  4mo
  Quote from @Bruce Woodruff:
  
  Quote from @Richard F.:
  
  And TEST! Make them demonstrate their skills in specific key areas. Ask difficult technical questions. You would be surprised how many "electricians" do not know what gauge wire is required for a 2000 watt load. Or "drywall" experts that can't securely and effectively patch a 6 inch hole. Or "painters" with no clue about the requirements of basic ladder safety.
  As a GC/Carpenter, we used to give an applicant a pile of wood and some tools and say "build a sawhorse". Sometime in the early 2000s that apparently became way too much to ask as no one had a clue how to do that. So I eventually dumbed it down to "grab a broom and sweep the floor"
  
  You'd be surprised at how many guys could not sweep a floor......
  
  I ain't making it up.....
  
  I used to do the same; bell xformer, push button, chime & some premade connectors. "Wire up a doorbell" 1/2 couldn't do it lol.
  Gotta be real careful with this tactic nowadays as that could be considered "unfair hiring practices"....meh
  1 Reply
- Bruce WoodruffPro Member
  Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
  4mo
  Quote from @Alan F.:
  
  Quote from @Bruce Woodruff:
  
  Quote from @Richard F.:
  
  And TEST! Make them demonstrate their skills in specific key areas. Ask difficult technical questions. You would be surprised how many "electricians" do not know what gauge wire is required for a 2000 watt load. Or "drywall" experts that can't securely and effectively patch a 6 inch hole. Or "painters" with no clue about the requirements of basic ladder safety.
  As a GC/Carpenter, we used to give an applicant a pile of wood and some tools and say "build a sawhorse". Sometime in the early 2000s that apparently became way too much to ask as no one had a clue how to do that. So I eventually dumbed it down to "grab a broom and sweep the floor"
  
  You'd be surprised at how many guys could not sweep a floor......
  
  I ain't making it up.....
  
  I used to do the same; bell xformer, push button, chime & some premade connectors. "Wire up a doorbell" 1/2 couldn't do it lol.
  Gotta be real careful with this tactic nowadays as that could be considered "unfair hiring practices"....meh
  Wow....how can someone not wire up a doorbell...?
  1 Reply
Alan F.
Flipper/Rehabber · CA · Member since 2023 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
4mo
I use indeed & zip recruiter primarily for hiring electricians. There's no such thing as a helper though as even apprentices have to be enrolled in training with state certification. The GC's & framing contractors that i know generally pay helpers around $25 p/hr. Workers comp & payroll tax rates go up a tier at apprx $28 p/hr.
2 Reply
Chris SeveneyBusiness Member
Moderator
Investor · VA · Member since 2015 · 21k+ posts · 19k+ votes
4mo
I would stay away from FB and Craigslist - on some sites I do ask for referrals but 90% are not experienced.
7e investments53 Reviews
Website View Page
1 Reply
- Bruce WoodruffPro Member
  Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
  4mo
  Quote from @Chris Seveney:
  I would stay away from FB and Craigslist - on some sites I do ask for referrals but 90% are not experienced.
  I agree. Although you may eventually find a decent, honest worker, you will go through a lot of flat-out liars...
  1 Reply
- Chris SeveneyBusiness Member
  Moderator
  Investor · VA · Member since 2015 · 21k+ posts · 19k+ votes
  4mo
  Quote from @Bruce Woodruff:
  
  Quote from @Chris Seveney:
  I would stay away from FB and Craigslist - on some sites I do ask for referrals but 90% are not experienced.
  I agree. Although you may eventually find a decent, honest worker, you will go through a lot of flat-out liars...
  
  We have one right now, landscaper - went to sign contract and we asked for insurance etc. Did not have business bank account, did not have insurance, lied to us about it - now is emailing every other day asking for money for work he did (he did nothing) but wants money for his time...
  7e investments53 Reviews
  Website View Page
  0 Reply
- Bruce WoodruffPro Member
  Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
  4mo
  Quote from @Chris Seveney:
  
  Quote from @Bruce Woodruff:
  
  Quote from @Chris Seveney:
  I would stay away from FB and Craigslist - on some sites I do ask for referrals but 90% are not experienced.
  I agree. Although you may eventually find a decent, honest worker, you will go through a lot of flat-out liars...
  
  We have one right now, landscaper - went to sign contract and we asked for insurance etc. Did not have business bank account, did not have insurance, lied to us about it - now is emailing every other day asking for money for work he did (he did nothing) but wants money for his time...
  The last time I hired guys using Craigslist - to my surprise, I actually found a great worker.... Johnny. Good guy and good worker. Reliable too, except one day when the police rolled in around lunchtime and arrested him.....
  1 Reply
Janice Carter
Real Estate Broker · Atlanta · Member since 2024 · 1k+ posts · 607 votes
4mo
The labor pool is definitely weaker, especially now that so many immigrants are being deported, many of whom were doing construction work. With the labor shortage, be prepared to pay more for reliable workers. You could try reaching out to a trade school if there is one in your area or posting on Nextdoor. Goodwill also has career centers and I believe some offer construction related training classes. It may be worth contacting them to see if you can recruit workers through their program.

1 Reply
- William Rizer
  OP
  Member since 2023 · 79 posts · 27 votes
  1w
  Wow! I didn't know about Goodwill having a career center. Thanks Janice! I'm going to check it out!
  0 Reply
Bruce WoodruffPro Member
Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
4mo
I seriously doubt that many of the illegal immigrants that have left, or are being deported, were doing much on a construction site except sweeping and cleaning up, carrying lumber etc......
0 Reply

Join the conversationCreate a free account to reply, vote on answers and follow this thread.