Whats A Fair Wage

rservices

I own a handy-man company that does work in restauarnts, I'm not new to painting but I wouldn't say that I'm a seasioned painter either.
A painting contractor is behind on his work and has asked me to help him.
I know he's making some big bucks on this job, and I'm doing him a favor helping him.
I am in wisconsin madison area
john

Dale

Whats he offering and what are you providing?

rservices

I'm just painting,

mostly exter. he's suppling all materials

he offered me 15.00 per hour

jproffer

Even working for him as a sub, you still have a business to run, so unless this is side work, and you can run your own jobs first and get to him whenever you have time (your jobs are priority) then IMO 15/hr isn't enough. It wouldn't be for me. I would charge him whatever you would charge anyone else by the hour. It's not on him to "offer" an amount, it's on you to bill for an amount.

ON THE OTHER HAND (there's always another hand)

If you're business is slow right now, and you feel like if you push any more he's going to cut you off totally, then take the 15. 15 is more than nothing, which is what you'd be making sittin on your keester at home (if that was your only other option), yes?

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Jim P.

Humble Abode

Going rate for a journeyman painter in wisconsin as of last years report from the DOL, is $27. Thats the cap for the best painter you could employ. $12 is entry level.

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Just because some of us can read and write and do a little math, that doesn't mean we deserve to conquer the Universe. Kurt Vonnegut, (1922 - 2007) from the Novel 'Hocus Pocus'
The NAPP
Milwaukee Painting Contractor

Bret

It all depends what you feel your time is worth. In my opinion, being that you are not a seasoned porfessional painter by trade, $15.00/hr is probabally more than fair with the state you are in.

rservices

I agree with everything said.

this will give me a chance to work with anouther contractor for a couple of days learn a few more tricks, and get in to his head. I have a lot of questions on bidding work, in the past when I have bid on painting I always seamed to under estimate the time. All of my other work is straight time and materials.

But I must say that I've followed behind a lot of painters that I felt did a bad job, cutting around doors, and windows hitting most of the brick. Not that I would want to trade off with my reg. work but I do a better job than a lot of what I see. With that said I know these restaurants allways go for the lowest bider anyways, so Im sure I'm not looking at quality painters to start with

thanks for the fast replys
john

Dale

I think 15. is o.k. if all you're doing is pushing a brush like an employee. If you have no headaches about anything..i.e. dealing with clients..scheduling work..babysitting or riding herd on others and just get to work, check the time, whistle while you work, check the time and add it up at the end of the week, 15 is o.k.