[cbzdel]

I posted an ad on craigslist looking for someone to do drywall repairs. I removed eleven 6" can lights and corresponding switches as well as two cadet heaters and thermostats. I have already hung up new drywall and listed that I only needed mud, tape and orange peal texture. I included several pictures of everything I need done. I said that I would provided any required materials, and that I am just hiring for labor and tools. I am getting quotes in the $400-$800 range, and I am being told that its about a half day job. I am also getting quotes from guys saying it might take upwards of two days and they charge $50 to $80 an hour..

Now I am all for a fair wage, but I have to be honest and say these are the highest rates I have ever seems on Craigslist.. I have hired plumbers and interior finish work guys and it seems the going rate for everyone to date has been around $25/hr, but drywall guys are worth double/triple that?

Now I am not knocking their profession at all, I am just curious if this is correct or not.. Are drywall guys really worth that, or has Craigslist became a land for the lost when trying to search for someone to hire?

 

[Gymschu]

Seems pretty high, but, then again, you may be in an area where demand for drywallers is quite high so they can get premium prices. I know when certain trades are busy with high end new construction, they throw out high bids for small jobs because of the "hassle effect."
It's a hassle to drop what you're doing, which may be one of those high end jobs in some ritzy subdivision, and go and do a small job. I know, I know, it doesn't make sense sometimes but the "hassle" of giving a bid and maybe moving all your equipment, tools, etc. to do a one-day job, well, you get the picture, they don't want to mess with it to be honest.

 

[mako1]

So your hiring pro licensed plumbers off craiglist for $25 hour??Interior finish carpenters for $25 hour? And your getting quality work up to code.?
Understand that even a drywall patch takes a few coats.Even using hot mud it cannot be done in a day.You probably want it primed and sanded and painted too?Texture matched? They will have to make two trips .
Glad I don't know you.
Twenty five dollars an hour would not pay my overhead and a trip to your house for a quality job by a licensed professional.
Keep your add on craigslist and I'm sure someone will show up soon for $10 hr.

 

[ben's plumbing]

well to be quite honest...craigslist is the last place to be looking for contractors why ..because I don't think a professional contractor would advertise there for 25.00 , 30.00 , 40.00, or even 50.00 per hour...can't run a business on that wage in the construction industry..sorry for being blunt ... ..drywall patching is also an art ..need to apply 3 coats to get a good finish..2-3 trips have to charge for each trip plus and hourly wage...your area is alittle high for that work ....but imo you could expect min charge 3-4 hundred easy...

 

[oh'mike]

Drywall repair and painting usually means 3 trips---perhaps only 2 if the tapers is top notch and going over properly hung drywall---

so---the guy will have 4 trips (one to see the job)--at 2 hours travel each--8 hours work before he unloads his tools.

Why are you providing materials? We carry all of that on our trucks--

$25 an hour is poor pay for an employee---and totally under what a contractor must charge----

If I were paying a worker $25 an hour--you would need to cover 8 hours of travel-$400 plus the time on the site---
Have you tried calling a painting and drywall company?

Many people that respond to Craigs List ads at just unemployed people without skills.

 

[oh'mike]

Ben said this much better than I did----

 

[cbzdel]

There is a huge difference in hiring a professional company and hiring a person off of Craigslist looking to make some extra cash.. When I look on CL to hire someone I am not looking to hire a company, I am looking to hire someone who does that type of work for a living and looking for side jobs. You guys are knocking me paying $25 an hour for jobs in the past, but that's what they are requesting to be paid.

 

[ben's plumbing]

There is a huge difference in hiring a professional company and hiring a person off of Craigslist looking to make some extra cash.. When I look on CL to hire someone I am not looking to hire a company, I am looking to hire someone who does that type of work for a living and looking for side jobs. You guys are knocking me paying $25 an hour for jobs in the past, but that's what they are requesting to be paid.

Iam not knocking you ..just stating some well known facts... you can hire anyone you like ...you ask the question.. we just gave you our opinion... sorry if your offended.. but my answer still stands..good luck on your finisher..

 

[SPS-1]

looking for someone to do drywall repairs.

I have already hung up new drywall

I only needed mud, tape and orange peal texture.

Well, you confused me, maybe you confused them also. I assume if you already hung the drywall, they are not doing repairs. I assume there are one or more walls involved and that the walls do not get the orange peel texture. If the walls are going to be mudded with 2 or three coats and sanded, I don't think thats going to happen in a morning.

 

[TheEplumber]

There is a huge difference in hiring a professional company and hiring a person off of Craigslist looking to make some extra cash.. When I look on CL to hire someone I am not looking to hire a company, I am looking to hire someone who does that type of work for a living and looking for side jobs. You guys are knocking me paying $25 an hour for jobs in the past, but that's what they are requesting to be paid.

At $25/hr you are not getting licensed, bonded or insured workers. You are taking a huge liability risk.

Since this doesn't sound like a big job- why not try it yourself? I bet you could budget $150 for it and then pocket the balance from your quotes.

 

[ToolSeeker]

Mudding taping and TEXURE is at least a 2 day job and specialized tools. Instead of an hourly rate ask for a flat price. And yes you are looking at more than 1 trip. If I'm reading correctly you have hung drywall on the wall not just patched. To spray texture requires quite a bit of prep to mask and cover everything because texture really goes everywhere.

As far as Craigs list for contractors as much as I dislike Angies List it would probably be a better source. With the prices your getting you might try just a local drywall contractor.

 

[paintdrying]

did you ever watch a pro make a hole disappear. It is definitely a sight to see. I can tell you their our professionals that advertise on craigslist.
Most of the people are hard core heroin addicts, claiming to be licensed bonded and insured. When you run the numbers on most of those companies they are fake. The state of Michigan is doing nothing about this matter.
It always seems to be a news station that caught them. If you know people in the trades guys will do stuff on the side for cheap. otherwise you are taking a big chance

 

[maddog1]

Hire off Craigslist? You get what you pay for--maybe. I understand we all want to save money but do you think it's worth the risk hiring unknowns. I'm not a drywall guy-but I just finished dry walling a 28' x 16' bonus room over my garage & I also did all the taping & mud work. Took me & the wife about a month to do it but it came out great I must say. I started the mud work in the storage closet & taught myself how to lay down three smooth coats. I also went to the library & got a copy of US Gypson Professional Dry wall construction handbook for the trades. Learned all about the different joint compounds & applications & how to hang dry wall properly to wood framing. I had a few problems along the way, but nothing I could not correct on my own & the advice I got from the books at the public library.

Hiring an unknown is like just inviting anyone off the street into your home. I guess you have a lot of faith in fellow humanity. I'm sure there are some good people on Craigslist, but is it worth the chance. Plumbers & carpenters @ $25. an hour. Really. The average is about $60 an hour & over $100. an hour in some parts of the country like the northeast. Good Luck.

 

[ToolSeeker]

I have recommended it before but in my opinion Myron Ferguson has a very good book for drywalling and it is available at the box stores in my area.