Hiring a fence painter

[CanterQueen]

Yes, it's horse related -- it's my three-board horse fencing. We're thinking about hiring a college student to paint all of our fencing -- so what's the going hourly rate (I'm in No. VA) for student labor? We were thinking $10/hour but my friend says that's cheap and we should pay $15.

Your thoughts?

Oh, and the student in question is comfortable around horses and can move them around as they finish each paddock.

[KPF]

I'd go with at least $12/hr... painting fence sucks. :lol: Seriously, though, it's all about what the kid'll accept. My hubby is a contractor and pays his fairly unskilled helper $12/hr to paint (central VA).

Believe me, whatever you pay-- it is well worth it. I took a weeks "vacation" from my FT job a few years ago to paint ours... will never do that again!:winkgrin:

[mjrtango93]

I might be more inclined not to pay hourly but instead the 2 of you sit down and decide what the entire project is worth for both of you. Maybe set a price say $1500 for the whole thing, then its up to the student how long it takes. (BTY $1500 is out of thin air, I have no idea how much fencing you are talking)

[subk]

Most fence painters I've talked with charge by the foot not the hour. We've gotten estimates from .45-.90 cents a foot. The higher end are the guys who have their own fancy equipment/sprayers etc. My nephew who is graduating high school next week will be painting my 8000 feet of 4 board fencing as his summer job. We're paying him .50 cents a foot and providing everything. We've guesstimated it's going to work out to be 10-12 bucks and hour.

[ThirdCharm]

Going by the foot sounds like a good idea, I had a couple HS students paint our fences, and they took FOREVER.

Jennifer

[the_other_mother]

I wouldnt pay by the hour.....that could get dragged waaaaaaaaay out. I tried that once and the kid showed up with his friend expecting me to pay them both the same hourly wage. Not happening. Next time, Im quoting per job not hour. The he can bring as many of his friend as he wants, take as long as he wants, and split the $$

[LearnToFly]

Most fence painters I've talked with charge by the foot not the hour. We've gotten estimates from .45-.90 cents a foot. The higher end are the guys who have their own fancy equipment/sprayers etc. My nephew who is graduating high school next week will be painting my 8000 feet of 4 board fencing as his summer job. We're paying him .50 cents a foot and providing everything. We've guesstimated it's going to work out to be 10-12 bucks and hour.

So after three years of college in a difficult major, my little brother is STILL making more than I am by the hour. *sigh* ;)

[Guin]

I agree with the by-the-job or by-the-foot idea. By the hour is unwise!

You'll need to post pix of your before and after fence, though!

[strawberry roan]

The important thing is to hire someone. My kids & I have painted our fence and it sucked big time!! Ugh. Hot & messy. Much nicer when I found someone to finish it. :):)

[subk]

So after three years of college in a difficult major, my little brother is STILL making more than I am by the hour. *sigh* ;)
I suspect you (and Elvis) will be getting a better deal in the end...

[RedTahoe]

I'll come paint it for a cold beer :yes:

[ponygirl]

I'll come paint it for a cold beer :yes:


Funny how free beer and food helps! :)

[RedTahoe]

I have a Tahoe. I get asked A LOT by friends to help them move. They repay with pizza and beer :) It works.