hno:
It really just depends on the task, location and how skilled the guy is. I've researched contractor prices or worked as an independent adjuster for most of my adult life and have never heard of someone charging $10-15 an hour unless its a big job and they're illegal/unskilled. My neighbor finishes basements and is good. He never stops working and is back logged for weeks. Why would he undercut himself by charging what amounts to $20-30k/year?
Live in Nyc/NJ Area. Depending on what you need done. Most guys don't come out unless there guaranteed $100.00 that's why your better off having an entire day of work for them. We charge $320.00-$400.00 for carpentry work per day to keep customers happy. Some carpenters charge by the door, window, & piece so it varies. Don't forget we have to have workers comp which runs about $6000.00 per year, liability insurance about $1600.00 per year and other taxes we have to pay . Contractors license is our cheapest thing going $75.00per year........... Plumbers charge from $100.00 -$150.00 per hour in nyc...... Union wagers in nyc Painters $38.00 per hour..... Carpenters 45 per hr...... Iron workers 53 per hr.......... tin knockers around 65 per hr.
What i do is pretty much handyman work. I just do it mostly for rental property owners and not so much for homeowners. I tell them all the same thing. I charge $66 to pull up in the driveway. With that comes up to 1 hour labor. If they call me about a dryer and i get there and its working fine they owe me $66+tax. If it takes me 1 hour to fix it , including going to get parts,etc they owe me $66 + tax + parts. If it takes 2 hours they owe $132...1.5 hrs $99. But i get $66 to drive over there no matter what.
I know licensed electricians, plumbers, etc that get $120. With all the regulations, expenses and taxes im to damn cheap. Thats y im broke and other guys in the same business i am are playing golf or out on their boats on the weekend while im worried about how ill pay the bills if the phone doesnt ring on Monday.
I know licensed electricians, plumbers, etc that get $120. With all the regulations, expenses and taxes im to damn cheap. Thats y im broke and other guys in the same business i am are playing golf or out on their boats on the weekend while im worried about how ill pay the bills if the phone doesnt ring on Monday.
Licensed/insured plumbing contractor here. I only charge by the job. As a general rule something taking less than an hour to fix is going to be 100-125$ plus parts. On some jobs I can make $300-$400 in less than hour i.e. unstopping a sewer line with my big machine. I am in the mid range of plumbers in my area and I have so much work I can't catch up. Most of you have no idea how much overhead/cost is involved in keeping a truck running, a good selection of tools, taxes, etc. $50 an hour for a knowledgable guy to show up in his truck with his tools is a good deal.
$2000 in labor, overhead and profit for a week's worth of work. He uses his tools, has to order the supplies, maintain scheduling, have insurance, maintain licenses, pull permits, keep his books, on and on. Lets say he can get a job like that every single week (highly unlikely), that's only $100k before any expenses per year. He's working an extra 10+ hours/week in travel, hardware store trips, trips to the bank/accountant/insurance office, training for specialized tasks. I just don't think you realize what all you're paying for. It's not as easy as him showing up and doing the tasks you need him for. If he's doing it right, it's much more than that. Plus you're paying for his skills. If it was easy, you'd be doing it.
I guess my point is you said he "only makes 100K before expenses." 100K is a top notch income man. No, a handyman is not worth 100K or $50 an hour. That's absurd. At 100K, he is making around 45K more than a teacher with a Master's Degree. Some guy replacing my ceiling fan is not worth that much more than an educator of our kids.
