I need to hire a laborer

I just need a strong, trustworthy person to do some heavy lifting and digging. Have any of you hired someone? Where did you contact this person? Do you have anyone you can recommend?

Thanks,
jb

I worked for a landscaper when I sold my practice in Bellevue. He hired street people on occasion and they worked pretty good with the rest of us. I think you contact the city of seattle. You pay them cash at the end of the day and you pick them up down at the mission in Seattle. Maybe the millionaires club?

I have thought of that before, but I am stopped by the transportation issue. They usually don't have cars and we live a good 35 miles from Seattle, and the trust issue. Though I suppose if they dont' have a car their not likely to make it back to clean us out.:)

Thanks,
jb

actually I have changed my mind about street people after working with them in this position. They are good people who drink too much, have lost everything, no family to help, and most of them are hard workers. You just need to let them off on time 4pm to get their fix and work with them to keep them focused. One guy I worked with was from Arkansas and his reirement dream was to buy a couple of mules and raise mules. Now he was probably over 50 at this time. But it was difficult for me to tell him mules were sterile and they were a product of horses and Jacks. Expecting him to be down trodden and embarassed he just thanked me for telling him and exclaimed "Well I been working with asses all week what are a few more" We became friends. Yes all of them would never get back to Woodinville. Too far from their sources.

Thanks for the thoughts Soferdig. I have decided to go with a worker from Labor Ready. I hope he works out as I have several jobs that are just too big for me to do alone.

And I thought you said that you wern't going to do anything special for the garden show. I'm like you so proud of my garden I want to show it. I have 3 more years before I have the crowd over. I have to finish 1 bed and let my bushes grow.

Ha ha. Um, uh these are things I would have done anyways. Yeah that's the ticket. Actually they really are. My back is giving me fits this year and I simply have to do less. A very hard thing for me.

JB, Many years ago my MIL told me they had someone from the Millionaires Club painting their house. I had never heard of that club before but thought it was pretty funny that a rich person would hire out to paint their house. She then explained to me what it was. BTW, my FIL was a doctor. They used those people all the time.

Then years later I had a young single lady working for me and she did the same. She hired one of them to paint her house. She used them a lot. And she was not worried in the least. She lived up on Capitol hill I believe.

I now live in rural eastern Washington and would give so much to have that opportunity. You have no idea how hard it is to get help.

It is good to know that others have used those services and had good results.

I have also had my adress and number posted at the Lake Washington Voc Tech Hort school. Apparently it is not uncommon for the students to be looking for extra work.

Maybe there is a smilar school in your area?

jb

Let us know what you do. Will be interesting and I will be green with envy. Jeanette

Please make sure it's a legal U.S. citizen. Let's employ our own. :)

Our own don't work for minimum labor.

This message was edited Mar 21, 2006 10:16 PM

I haven't tried it but I think you are wrong about the people we are talking about Sofer. I think these people would.

The Labor Ready workers cost $19.95 per/h. I don't know how much of that the worker gets. Likely around $10.

Min wage in WA is $7.63. You would be hard pressed to find a legal resident who would do the kind of work I need done for this wage. Certainly wouldn't get anyone with any experience or knowledge. I have offered the Hort students $15 and haven't gotten a nibble. I paid the neighbor kid $10 and he was only so so.

I wouldn't knowingly hire someone who was in the country illegally, but I don't hold a grudge against those that do.

jb



This message was edited Mar 23, 2006 12:37 PM

He came this weekend and so far so good. He worked hard, was attentive to my requests and the quality of his work was very good. I will be calling him back.

I have another fellow that responded from the Hort school coming on Apr 2nd. Will be interesting to see how he does.

jb

JB, who did you end up getting? How much are you paying him? Glad you got someone you are satisfied with. Lucky you.

Jeanette

The fellow came from LaborReady and the cost was $19.95 an hour.

So far so good. If he continues to work out I will consider myself lucky.

jb

That sounds like the temps I used to hire for small moving jobs when I was working. Their company paid their L&I etc. Works out good for everybody.