Selling Against Contractors Who Use Illegals

Originally Posted by boman47k

But, what if the worker has all his "papers", and the contractor does "not know" his/her real status. In other words, is his a** covered? We all know this is going on.

Originally Posted by joasis

Great...I told a potential client exactly that....and he didn't care.

Let's look at the "other" side of the issue:

Most people will not knowingly accept liability, but are uninformed exactly what their liability limits are. Using the example above, I pointed out that I cannot bid against a guy selling buildings using an illegal crew to erect them...because I do have full insurance....he didn't care...his reasoning is simple...illegals would have a hard time in a courtroom here suing him if they fall of a building they are erecting...and he is "insulated" anyway since the GC is the cushion. Pretty smart, huh?

Now to the financial issue. I quoted a building for nearly 50k...and lost the bid by 11k. My first reaction is we are not comparing apples to apples....but he showed me the "competitors" bid.....the difference was in the labor....they cut my price for pouring and finishing concrete by 60%, and the erection of the steel by 45%.

Now, given his exposure...a week or so, and his thinking, just how would you propose to close that sale? I run a short crew....takes us a few weeks to knock a job like this down, barring weather. The other guy promises to be done, barring weather, in 4 days. His "crew" has nearly 15 guys.

The customer is taking the 11k savings, and couldn't care less about liability. I think I build a better building, but there isn't a lot of difference in comparable buildings....

Originally Posted by duckdown

My neighbor who was formerly a police officer in town now heads up the investigations for the State and she actually validates proof of insurance by picking up the phone and confirming with the carrier.

If you understand insurance, much of worker's compensation insurance now requires the company to provide a payroll feed containing actual employee names. Likewise, the insurance company gives special priority to state investigators and returns their calls very quickly in this regard.

Seriously, if you are in CT or NY and using illegals, you should immediately stop as you will be caught and put out of business...

Originally Posted by boman47k

If they only look at the "paper" provided and say "all is in order" how does this solve anything? I mean maybe they are covered under an assumed identidy.
Maybe they do more, I have no idea.

Originally Posted by tomstruble

while i am with most here on the illegal immigrant issue i also have a problem with laid off union guys that get paid in cash and taking work.
No liability No comp No taxes if you ask me ever bit as illegal

Originally Posted by tomstruble

while i am with most here on the illegal immigrant issue i also have a problem with laid off union guys that get paid in cash and taking work.
No liability No comp No taxes if you ask me ever bit as illegal

Originally Posted by dan-o

My market is flooded with 100% American white guys passing out false/cancelled insurance certs

Originally Posted by timtim2008

i have lost jobs to them

Originally Posted by HousieG

Hi,

Just wanted to comment on the fact that you employ ex-service men. I think that is great, as many of them have difficulties finding post-service work.