Hiring a labourer

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I need soil moved in my garden and got someone of Facebook advert. I’m worried he will take the micky. What do I do?

Agree a price for the job...so if you agree it takes half a day and you agree £100, that's what you pay when he finishes even if it takes two days

Edited to says I've done myself over on this a couple of times...quoted for the job and it took longer than I thought....one time I worked for £6.50 an hour. My error, I got paid what was agreed

I've had various tradespeople that I've found on FB. I always go for ones who have lots of people recommending them (rather than recommending themselves) and I look at their websites/FB pages to see examples of previous work they've completed. If they're something like plumber or electrician I make sure they're registered with the relevant bodies etc. if you do your homework rather than trusting a random, you should be ok.

It’s day rate. I don’t know how long it will take. It’s just moving soil.

Why can't you move the soil yourself how much soil is it?

I’m a parent. A single parent. I work. I’m unfit.

I don’t know how much soil. Hard to tell. 5m long and 1 foot tall.

So you ask them how much they want and how long it will take. Most people are looking for about £200 a day for unskilled labouring in our area. Whether they get it is another thing.

He’s asked for £100

Ideally get a price for the job. If you are paying per day he may drag it out, or leave at 2pm and charge for full day.

Sounds fair...it's up to you if you think it's worth £100. Remember he's coming to you for a few hours so he's unlikely to be able to do anything else that day. 5m long by a foot tall is a pain in the bum to move as you are constantly bent over, plus if it's garden soil there will be all sorts of crap in there. It could take him two hours or 5 as you don't give the width, but I doubt you'll get anyone willing to shift it for less

I’m not asking for less.

its what he’s charging for a day rate, not a few hours

£100 day rate is a bargain

Whoa £100/day? Grab that guy! Will you be there while he’s working? Do you have a downstairs toilet he can use? I’d also offer him a cold drink halfway through the day .

Don't. Hire a legitimate business and pay their invoice, including VAT. I am always worried solo artists may be casing the joint, etc. Just not worth the hassle, speaking from unsatisfactory personal experience.

So are you saying he’s asking for £100 per day but he hasn’t said how many days it will take?

Hi he came and did a great job. I feel terrible

You can recommend him to friends now! And or use him again.