Helper Problems...

[Taurus Flooring]

Again I will repeat myself. RATES ARE TOO LOW! If you go to a law office, you'll notice they get paid well and get regular increases with benefits. Almost all careers and jobs are set up so that there is encouragement to embark on a career with advancements. I personally discouraged my sons to get in this trade, because the industry does not care about the lowly installer. If it did, it would make sure only quality products were manufactured and appropriate rates were paid out. All I see, is companies trying to entice foreign labour that will work for rates that we were paid twenty years ago. If anyone doubts that, look at the vehicles that most installers use (at least 20 yrs old). Until professional installers demand better pay and benefits, we will see fewer newbies until the system collapses. I've been at it for 35 years and still cannot believe how we are treated.

[Nick Arrera]

Well said ..

[Tandy Reeves]

When would you suggest installers do this? Tarus if you will recall this was the same statements installers were making 35 years ago. CFI and others have extended a hand to help the installer and very few have taken advantage of any of the betterment programs. Who must make the next move?

[stullis]

Originally Posted by Darren Ramey They were the only shop in the area that did things legal. Shame the extra overhead from being legal ran them out of business.

The real shame is the government/legal system doesn't do it's job.
Same reason they do next to nothing about the illegal immigrants.

Originally Posted by Tandy Reeves . Who must make the next move?

So in answer to this, the government. But it ain't going to happen.

[Red]

I solved my helper problem about 3 years ago. When my wife got laid off from her job I started getting some big tile jobs so I told her that I needed her help. She's been my helper on almost every job I've done since then and the added bonus is I don't have to pay her. She probably gets more of the money in the long run anyways.

[kwfloors]

Originally Posted by Tandy Reeves When would you suggest installers do this? Tarus if you will recall this was the same statements installers were making 35 years ago. CFI and others have extended a hand to help the installer and very few have taken advantage of any of the betterment programs. Who must make the next move?

We must.

[cproader]

Chris if ya really wanna get their attention to detail real quick, ya hire two guys and have them doin the same job, ie pad and tack, and ya challenge them to better one another in quality and speed. It takes on a whole new meanin for them. When I was in commercial mostly that's how I could weed them out quick and find the ones I needed to do the job.......

[lesakflooring]

Best thing to do is get rid of the hourly wage, pay him a % that an incentive. Ie, Hey helper guy, this job pays out $1000 you get 10%. do you want to make that in 10hrs or 5?? You don't have to have a NASA patch on you shoulder to figure that out. You just have to keep an eye on quality but if your there it shouldn't be a problem.

[Daniel Wachtel]

Next move? What next move? Giveaway artists want to save money not spend it on labor