Anyone ever use one of those labor ready companys to save money?

Sandra,

The furniture company I worked for uses them on occasion.  You pay double of what the worker gets.  If the worker is getting $7 an hour your paying $14.  Just keep in mind the type of people that work for them.  Usually it people that can't get a real job, aren't reliable and can't pass a drug test.  Be very specific when requesting what you want.  If you want heavy lifting, make sure you stress that - or you'll get an older person etc etc.  You also need to watch them very closely, they will not work hard if you don't supervise them and they can have "sticky" fingers.  Being in peoples home and you being responsible I would be a bit concerned about theft.  On the other hand you might get some wonderful people that you request over and over,  it really just depends on the area. (we have a high crime and drug area in our inner city, which is where the workers come from.)  GOOD LUCK!

I would have the same type of worries as Becky, but I have to be careful about prejudging.  They probably have some good people.  Can you interview before they send and specify who comes out? 

 

I went to Labor Ready to get help for my home renovation project. The fee was double the current minimum wage level and I had to hire someone for a minimum of 4 hours. The guy they sent was an Army soldier, who's wife was pregnant, so he worked for Labor Ready on weekends to supplement his salary. It was probably against the rules, but I called him back to help us and paid him the same fee I would have paid Labor Ready directly.

Sandy

WE don't have anything like that available here. There are a lot of young men who are strong and able, looking for some short work and cash. check your neighborhood, relatives,  church.  You do have an insurance issue then however - weigh your risk.

I use firemen.  Most of the time,  Now that my eldest daughter is in college, I can sometimes use her friends.  My firemen need a couple of days warning but they can move anything, lift anything.  We usually can rearrange an entire 2 story house in 4 hours. (Rugs, sofas, beds, hutches, grand piano, billiard table, everything)  My firemen get $100 per day and the kids $75.

If the homeowner pays the mover directly does that keep us out of having to have insurance?

Juliet, My nephew is a fire fighter in North Carolina. It's a shame what your firefighters are paid in the states. Definetly underpaid. On the bright side, it would likely be quite easy to get firefighters to help out for cash and like you said, they can lift anything!

What a great suggestion. Unfortunatly in Canada our firefighters make at least 3 times what yours do, so they aren't so interested in extra income!

How about placing an ad at a local College or University?

As long as their company has insurance, I don't see why not! Once you develope relationships with an individual, I would request for that person again. In the beginning I would do a little handholding and once you know the individual, you won't have to be so hands on.

Cheers,

Cindy 

You can probably find good workers through companies like labor ready, but in my area some of the other stagers have had tables dropped, items disappear, etc. and some of the workers seemed high....so you really need to develop a good relationship with the employee provider and make sure you directly supervise the workers.  Good luck!