How much to pay a carpenter for some work?

[GoingUp]

Have guy workin for me doin some carpentry. Hes putting in a recessed cabinet into my closet for my media stack.

Here is the progress so far.

http://www.chadwickcmeyer.com/cabinet

Hes been here since 4:30EST, 6 hours now. Only asked for $130 for everything including materials. I think thats too low of a price, especially since he has a newborn baby at home.

I'm planning on giving him $160. Too much? Too little? Just right?

edit: I ended up giving him $200 and the pictures above now include the finished product.

 

[DainBramaged]

Is he going to finish the drywall sanding and painting?

 

[Fiat1]

Good wage for a good job.

 

[GoingUp]

Originally posted by: DainBramaged
Is he going to finish the drywall sanding and painting?

Hes going to sand, I'm going to prime and paint this weekend.

That was also the first coat. Hes putting the finished coat on right now.

 

[Juno]

you might need to tip a bit more. construction workers work with a lot of patience.

 

[Orignal Earl]

150 and feed and beer him.

 

[DainBramaged]

Well, my grandfather, who is a carpenter, said that he charges $40 and hour for jobs like that. He said that depending on the age and skill of the guy doing it, you should pay him varying on that.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

If he does a nice job I would give him 2 bills

 

[Chryso]

If the guy does good work it never hurts to pay a little extra. That way if you want work done in the future you have a better shot at having him fit you into his schedule because he knows you may pay him a little extra.

 

[dartworth]

If he asked for $130 pay him that...

he probably feels sorry for you...

that is why he is charging you $130

 

[gsethi]

if he asked for $130 and you think he deserves more (hes worked hard and is patient), I would go to ~$150 or if you are feeling extra generous, go 175. (160 just seems like an odd number to me..dunno)

maybe $150 and a gift for the baby perhaps ?

Now if you are feeling very generous, you can pay him the market rate...is it $60/hr in your area ? That would be what ? $360+

I would definately go atleast 150 + gift for baby if you liked his job (pay too much the first time and he might expect that from you everytime in the future, and when you dont give him extra in the future, he might get pissed). Go over but dont go overboard.

 

[GoingUp]

Originally posted by: dartworth
If he asked for $130 pay him that...

he probably feels sorry for you...

that is why he is charging you $130

Yea. He mentioned me having to deal with a douche like you.

 

[iRONic]

Looks like quality workmanship.

I'd give him $150 + a case of diapers.

 

[GoingUp]

Originally posted by: gsethi
if he asked for $130 and you think he deserves more (hes worked hard and is patient), I would go to ~$150 or if you are feeling extra generous, go 175. (160 just seems like an odd number to me..dunno)

maybe $150 and a gift for the baby perhaps ?

Now if you are feeling very generous, you can pay him the market rate...is it $60/hr in your area ? That would be what ? $360+

I would definately go atleast 150 + gift for baby if you liked his job (pay too much the first time and he might expect that from you everytime in the future, and when you dont give him extra in the future, he might get pissed). Go over but dont go overboard.

I have $200 here in all $20 bills, which is why I thought $160.

 

[BoomerD]

Give him the $200. and thank him for a job WELL done. His 6 hours of work should be worth at least $150, plus materials....

 

[Excelsior]

I would pay more than 130 myself...closer to 200.

 

[bctbct]

Tip him after the first coat of paint....the taping job has troubles.

 

[dquan97]

Tell him that $130 is for him and $70 is for the baby

 

[montanafan]

I'd give him the $160 and tell him the extra $30 is because you wanted to get him something for the new baby, but didn't know what they needed.

I agree with gsethi that you don't want to go overboard the first time you pay him.

 

[Sluggo]

I hope thats not a weight bearing wall with a flat 2x4 as a header in your opening where the stud was cut.

 

[GoingUp]

Originally posted by: Sluggo
I hope thats not a weight bearing wall with a flat 2x4 as a header in your opening where the stud was cut.

It is a load bearing wall, but we put in an extra stud to replace the one that was cut. The extra stud makes up the left side frame of the opening.

The last photo is after the first coat. He put a finish coat over the top of it, and will be sanding it after work today. I ended up giving him $200. I figure its a fair price for about 8 hours of work and materials.

 

[Injury]

Originally posted by: Orignal Earl
150 and feed and beer him.

:thumbsup:

Always make sure you aren't dealing with a recover(ed/ing) alcoholic, though.

 

[rhino56]

i would have charged about 600 for it minimum. is he mexican?

 

[GoingUp]

Originally posted by: Injury

Originally posted by: Orignal Earl
150 and feed and beer him.

:thumbsup:

Always make sure you aren't dealing with a recover(ed/ing) alcoholic, though.

He got some beer too And hes not an alcoholic either

 

[dullard]

Around the midwest, a lot of handymen charge ~$20/hour. Add in 6 hours and materials, and $130 isn't unreasonable. Bump it up to $25/hour if you wish.

Note: a real carpenter is much higher than that.