Would you hire this painter?

[Anonymous]

I am having a guy paint my house for $15 an hour. My ex has used him, he's a good painter, and he's very consciencious.

The question is, given this is a $600-800 job, what should I be doing about taxes? And what should I be doing to ensure he is legal? Or shoudd I not even ask? I realize when I just had my electrical work done, I didn't ask for my (Greek) electrician's papers. I just wrote him a check. So maybe I am being unduly suspicious about legality for my potential painter because he's Guatemalan.

What do you do for a small service sector job like painting or handiman work?

[Anonymous]

It's up to him to pay his taxes, he's a business. Don't let this forum's obsessions with legal/illegal nannies start making you paranoid, you are not the INS. Pay him the wages he is requesting, it is up to him to ensure that he follows the law. Not up to you.

[Anonymous]

Agree with pp. You don't have to pay any taxes! But I would pay in cash. Also, can you give me his number?

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

agree too. His status is not your problem.

[Anonymous]

Or paint your house yourselve or try to get another person to do it like a Big company maybe they will charge 100 the hour, anyway good luck, the guatemala's painter wife.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Or paint your house yourselve or try to get another person to do it like a Big company maybe they will charge 100 the hour, anyway good luck, the guatemala's painter wife.

My painter isn't married. Do you think $15 an hour is too low? I'm supplying the paint and supplies, so this is just for labor. What do you think is a reasonable rate? Or are you just here to blow off steam?

[Anonymous]

$400 per small room

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Or paint your house yourselve or try to get another person to do it like a Big company maybe they will charge 100 the hour, anyway good luck, the guatemala's painter wife.

My painter isn't married. Do you think $15 an hour is too low? I'm supplying the paint and supplies, so this is just for labor. What do you think is a reasonable rate? Or are you just here to blow off steam?

I think it is perfect.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:$400 per small room

That's ridiculous. I pay my painter $250 for a bedroom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:$400 per small room

That's ridiculous. I pay my painter $250 for a bedroom.

I hardly call $150 difference ridiculous. maybe the first is much better than the second ...

[Anonymous]

My DH is a painter in the summer/holidays (works a professional job at a school during the school year). He is a 3rd generation painter and has about 20 years experience. He charges about $30/hr + materials (if he prices the job at time and materials). He prices many jobs as a total price, but usually won't go over $30/hr. I think he is on the cheaper side for people with his experience in this area, but since he doesn't run his business year-round and typically gets paint jobs by word-of-mouth through the school he works for or friends, we don't have much overhead.

Agree with pps wrt taxes as we pay our own taxes on the business and he should also. You can ask if he has insurance and if he is licensed. I'm guessing at $15/hr he may not be. That would make me concerned about having him on your property should he have an accident or damage anything on your property.

Maybe this will help as a comparison.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DH is a painter in the summer/holidays (works a professional job at a school during the school year). He is a 3rd generation painter and has about 20 years experience. He charges about $30/hr + materials (if he prices the job at time and materials). He prices many jobs as a total price, but usually won't go over $30/hr. I think he is on the cheaper side for people with his experience in this area, but since he doesn't run his business year-round and typically gets paint jobs by word-of-mouth through the school he works for or friends, we don't have much overhead.

Agree with pps wrt taxes as we pay our own taxes on the business and he should also. You can ask if he has insurance and if he is licensed. I'm guessing at $15/hr he may not be. That would make me concerned about having him on your property should he have an accident or damage anything on your property.

Maybe this will help as a comparison.

OP here. Very useful. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

I would not worry about paying taxes on any domestic employee whom you pay less than $2,000 in a year. for a job under $1,000, I'd just pay cash and ask him to sign a cash receipt.