$1300 to replace privacy fence on one side.

[Wild Cobra]

Yes, I'm being an ass about this. Like I said, it smells fishy, and I want to see employers of illegal immigrants jailed. They take away jobs that legal residents can do by undercutting a fair wage.

[JoeChalupa]

Yes, I'm being an ass about this. Like I said, it smells fishy, and I want to see employers of illegal immigrants jailed. They take away jobs that legal residents can do by undercutting a fair wage.

So then what you are saying is legal residents won't work those jobs and would rather let the illegals make the money? i don't consider 11 bucks an hours bad pay but that is just me.

And what does the language the workers speak have to do with this? Or, I get it, if they speak spanish they are illegal right?

Well, the guy that came over tonight to give me a bid spoke both english and spanish. He was an older gentleman so I spoke spanish and english to him. Should I call immigration since he spoke spanish?

[JoeChalupa]

Oh, and I should got with cedar right?

[Wild Cobra]

So then what you are saying is legal residents won't work those jobs and would rather let the illegals make the money? i don't consider 11 bucks an hours bad pay but that is just me.

For a legitimate contractor, it is bad pay. Bonds, licenses, insurance, etc. etc. I don't see someone with skill working for that little. Want a boached up job?

And what does the language the workers speak have to do with this? Or, I get it, if they speak spanish they are illegal right?

It's a pretty good indicator if you try to speak English to them, and they cannot reply, that they are illegal. I know that's not true 100% the time, but in general it is.

Well, the guy that came over tonight to give me a bid spoke both english and spanish. He was an older gentleman so I spoke spanish and english to him. Should I call immigration since he spoke spanish?

I'm not speaking of two or more languages. Just not knowing English and being a legal resident. That is rather uncommon.

[Wild Cobra]

Oh, and I should go with cedar right?

That's my choice. Not required though.

[JoeChalupa]

Well, my father still speaks poor English and has been living, legally and as a citizen, all his life. So if you met him on the street you would probably think he was illegal and you would be dead wrong.
I understand your frustration and anger has lead you to believe a certain way about some people. I've had plenty of caucasion kids knock on my door asking if they could mow my lawn. Are they guilty of taking jobs away from contractors as well? And they speak english!!!
There are plenty of legal residents who do not speak fluent english you know.

[JoeChalupa]

That's my choice. Not required though.

Yeah, I did the back part using treated wood but I know cedar will look nicer.

[LnGrrrR]

WC, maybe the contractor just doesn't believe in all the regulation and hires himself out to work relatively under the table. Maybe he's a freedom fighter fighting against government red-tape! <----- waving the American flag

[Wild Cobra]

Well, my father still speaks poor English and has been living, legally and as a citizen, all his life. So if you met him on the street you would probably think he was illegal and you would be dead wrong.
I understand your frustration and anger has lead you to believe a certain way about some people. I've had plenty of caucasion kids knock on my door asking if they could mow my lawn. Are they guilty of taking jobs away from contractors as well? And they speak english!!!
There are plenty of legal residents who do not speak fluent english you know.

Yes, I know. It just isn't common. If I met him, I wouldn't claim with certainty he was illegal, especially the older people. Those who came here in the 70's and earlier had different policies to file under than the younger crowd.

[JoeChalupa]

I know I'd be pissed if I were a contractor and was losing jobs because of under cutting my bids with cheap labor. But as the consumer, and I'm not saying it is right, most will go with the better deal. Yeah, you get what you pay for but a better deal doesn't always mean a lousier job.

[Wild Cobra]

WC, maybe the contractor just doesn't believe in all the regulation and hires himself out to work relatively under the table. Maybe he's a freedom fighter fighting against government red-tape! <----- waving the American flag

In which case he's making the need for other's to pay more in taxes.

Like I said, something doesn't add up.

[JoeChalupa]

Yes, I know. It just isn't common. If I met him, I wouldn't claim with certainty he was illegal, especially the older people. Those who came here in the 70's and earlier had different policies to file under than the younger crowd.

True.

[4>0rings]

I know that. The numbers just don't add up. He paid $325 for a job requiring $200 in supplies. That's $125 left over for 2 the two workers. He said "just over" so let's assume $65 each for 6 hrs of labor. The only contractors I have ever seen that will work at that wage are illegals.

This is true. They had to be illegals or close to, nobody in the business would work for that.

[JoeChalupa]

This is true. They had to be illegals or close to, nobody in the business would work for that.

You mean legals working in the business right? There are many in the "construction" business who would and do work for that.

[JoeChalupa]

Depending on the bid I get I'll decide if I will do it myself....I'm kinda on the fence right now...

[Drachen]

I'm curious Drachen...

Did the help speak any English?

If you don't remember, I said that all the workers involved are white. The owner however is of Hispanic origin, and I speak better spanish than he does.

[Drachen]

Depending on the bid I get I'll decide if I will do it myself....I'm kinda on the fence right now...

Hah, well as old as it is, that fence may fall over, so watch out, I think the guys who built it spoke spanish.

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

For a legitimate contractor, it is bad pay. I don't see someone with skill working for that little. Want a boached up job?

I have when times were good and even more so in this economy.

[Wild Cobra]

If you don't remember, I said that all the workers involved are white. The owner however is of Hispanic origin, and I speak better spanish than he does.

No, that's not what you said.

Your niece's father could live in a different state for all I know, and you acquaintance, someone else. Your white buddy could have contracted to illegals.

I'm not a mind reader.

[Das Texan]

But they are required to have tax ID's then and pay 14.9% of their wages in payroll taxes. That cuts the $11.00 down to $9.36 an hour, of which they still have to pay income tax on.

Know any legal contractors willing to work that cheap?

there is no payroll tax for independent contractors.


you pay income tax and then you pay the self employed tax or whatever term they use.


i'm sure if they are independents they write off plenty as well to lower their tax burden or at least if they had half a brain.

[Wild Cobra]

there is no payroll tax for independent contractors.


you pay income tax and then you pay the self employed tax or whatever term they use.


i'm sure if they are independents they write off plenty as well to lower their tax burden or at least if they had half a brain.

The employer does not deduct the payroll tax, but the contractor must, or chance facing tax evasion charges.

I'm saying the contractor has to pay the 15.3% out of the money he receives, both ends of the payroll tax. 7.65% employer and 7.65% employee, any insurances and other taxes, and his share of income taxes. The 15.3% off the top reduces the contractors money rather harshly. That $65 job becomes more like I'm not 100% sure how it works, but its something like this. The person hiring the contractor needs their tax ID number to write the cost off. The IRS want theses 'papers' else the parties may find themselves subject to audit, and tax evasion charges.

Note. I realized I was wrong on the percentage and changed it from previous posts. Of the 7.65%, 6.2% is Social Security and 1.45% is Medicare.

[JoeChalupa]

Best bid was $896.00

[Drachen]

Best bid was $896.00

There you go, just about in line with the 15 we were talking about.

Oh and my AC went out on Sunday and I had my cousin come over yesterday to fix it. Parts were $89, but I have a question about labor. His labor cost me 2 beers, but one was a Corona that has been in the fridge for about 2 months. Do I have to tell him to claim the retail cost of that beer on his taxes, or can he depreciate the value based on its age??

[tlongII]

Best bid was $896.00

Take it and give them a $4 tip!

[Xevious]

And mowing the grass at 8:30 am, were you still drunk from the night before?

You'd rather mow the lawn in the middle of the day in this San Antonio heat? Get it done early.