advice on hiring someone

sdsester

In fairness I think the idea of paying for travel by providing trade skills in return for basic room and board kind of a cool concept. Since my career in the trades has been brought to an abrupt halt due to medical stuff beyond my control I was thinking of doing international house/pet sitting. There is supposedly quite a demand.

The agencies I am exploring have extremely rigid appplication, review, reference and background checking and bonding requirements though. They screen those wanting services as diligently.

There are similar services with almost as much due diligence that help young ones travel in return for harvesting grapes (or planting them depending on the time of year).

I just don't see hiring a 24 yo passing through with only increasing suspicious looking credentials in the same category. And I would not trust the international equivalent of Craig's List for help. I would never use it for such purpose here!

An American taking work from Greeks, if that is where this property is located, just doesn't sound like it can end up nicely when the experiment is over. Too much a cynic I suppose. And nothing against Greeks or most others. We have a well earned reputation for being particularly disrespectful of cultures much older than we are as a country and this makes it hard to navigate extended stays, and especially those where you need something done. I just don't see taking work from the locals as viable. Ironically, a foreman level person might be better accepted but his kid isn't one yet.

tizadu

Well, I'm Greek/English, this property has been handed down to me from my grandfather who planted all the trees, and my father, who extended it, so i'm aware of the gift, and responsibility, that such an inheritance can carry.

It's not a question of taking work away from anyone - the concept behind the sites i'm using is exchanging work for showing someone an aspect of that country, and i think it's a great concept too.
I also don't think that the work of someone who has no real experience (or even none at all) can compete with the work of someone whose skills you're paying for...

anyway, guy in question never responded (!), so once more, thanks for all the input
- you may well find me posting for actual DIY advice before long!

have a good weekend!!