Hi guys needs some advice I've got a lad that is going to work for me . His only 23 he think he knows how to fit wood and carpet. (Need to train him to my standards) , I no his parents so going to take him on. He doesn't drive (need to pick him up everyday, lives about 2 miles away) and has no tools nor does he have cscs card (which I'm not bothered about) but he is willing to do all sort of hours which sadly I'm doing at the moment. What sort of wage per typical 8 hour day would you give or what do you guys give to your lads/lasses? Bonus, overtime etc
I would say you need to do a week with the guy, to judge his ability, and offer him what you think is fair.
Depends if he can actually fit or not, if you just need to polish his skill set up to your standards then he can be earning you money quite quickly so its only fair that he gets more than the going rate of a set of hands, id echo what neilydun said, after a week you will know if he is any good. As a gauge I gave my boy £40/50 a day when I was still using them, and paid a bonus if we got the work done early.
I'd put him on basic wage first couple of months. Say minimum wage. See how he gets on. Can he meet you anywhere or will you have to pick him up. I pick my lad up at a supermarket just before the motorway. Takes him 15 min to walk there but that wakes him up lol
To be honest I don't mind picking him up , as long as his ready. IBe told him that Im putting him on a probation period of 2 weeks and see how we work together. I've told him 40 a day for those weeks then 50.. Then we will see..atm I work on my own just means less hours for me and extra help always handy. But it's tough to get someone Young and motivated and to get in there thick heads you can get a career by working for me as much as its not good money at start can end up a lot. What about you guys , same problem? Or just me
Same as you. Getting someone that can see long term that they will have a skilled trade is difficult especially when they can go to a supermarket and earn the same sort of money if not more. My problem is that I am so used to booking work in for myself I'd have to get used to booking more work to cover the wages
Ive probably had about 10 lads start for me, over the years. Four of them have gone on to be great fitters, and are doing very well, and they still come on various jobs with me. The others, have mostly been useless. The ones who turned up on time, normally lasted about a year, before they realised hard work was not for them. 1 or 2 did not last the month, after I lost patience with there time keeping. I have to say, my 14 year old lad, has been working for min wage, at my local. He just jacked it in because they expect him to work like a dog, and treat him like s*it. Personally, I don`t think i`m short sighted, but at 23 would not work for min wage. Maybe as a trial, but only for a week. I suppose it also depends on whether your taking him on self employed, cards in, or the other way. That will also have an effect on whats left in his pocket on Friday.
Ive had a few 1 lasted a day a girl I took on lasted a year. I just use subcontractors I know and that can fit well now. Labour wise I use my nephew if he needs the work.
To be honest I've only had 4 people. 1 didn't turn up , 2 good fitters and last one was on time first day so good start .. Said he has worked as a labourer, has done wood floors so great then when I said chop one length of skirting straight .. OMG.. He put his hand under the blade on the line.. Luckily the rcd on extension lead was not switch on.. All my fitters are self employed so maybe I should put this guy after trial on books , payslips Blah blah.. Hmmmm decisions decisions
I drive 9 mile to pick my lad up, I don't mind takes 20 minutes when I started I had to get the bus to and from work, I know how much it took out of me getting up early and getting home late. get that lad picked up daz it'll take you 5 minutes.
If you want someone to work hard, show interest in trade, see they can have a future in the trade, work on if you need them to, then it's not going to happen for £40 a day, in my opinion. Well it could if he was 16 and living at home but how hard will a 16 year old work.
See what your saying about only taking me 5 mins but have picked him up a few times an was sitting outside waiting.... As he wasn't ready. At least if I meet him he's been there on time every time. If it's raining or cold I text him at 7.30 to say I'm picking him up as I know he will be up.
People either want to work or don't. I've just taken a guy on 27yo, He doubles the amount of work I can do so I pay him £70 a day. I'm sure this is the case with most floor layers and tradesman, having someone there to clean up behind you and do all the time draining simple tasks is a godsend. Dealing with people is always going to be a challenge but that's business.
