How much is my painter making?

[janedoe]

My husband wanted to preserve the original windows in most of the house but they were desperate for refinishing. I hired a painting contractor for our 30 or so windows based on recommendations and cost. He sent over a guy who is doing an amazing job. His work is steady and very high quality. Last week we had a fiasco where the contractor sent over a couple of guys, one of whom was ridiculously inexperienced and then told me that they would cost significantly more after they started the job because they worked for someone else. I don't care how long the job takes and basically fired those two guys. The original guy has finished half the house and done an absolutely beautiful job. I do feel that he is worth more than what I am paying and was considering tipping him the difference.

Does anyone have any idea of what a painter would be getting paid if I'm paying the contractor $25/hour for his work?

[Scoutpout]

hmm, hard to say, but a guess is around $18, and i think the contractor would be covering the guy's insurance etc for him.

[Maxx&Emma]

It really does depend on the contractor he is working for. Jon has done this type of work before and has had the contractor charge as much as $10 per hour over his rate of $35.00 per hour.

[KenZ71]

No idea what a reasonable rate should be. But does the hourly rate cover material (brushes, paint, rollers, etc )?

Either way, I would say $25/ hour is quite low. But, if your getting great quality don't complain!

A tip would be nice. Referrals might be better! Offer to be a reference?

[POPTOP]

Have no idea. So far we've done all our own.

[janedoe]

No idea what a reasonable rate should be. But does the hourly rate cover material (brushes, paint, rollers, etc )?

Either way, I would say $25/ hour is quite low. But, if your getting great quality don't complain!

A tip would be nice. Referrals might be better! Offer to be a reference?

I agree that $25/hour is low. I think that the contractor himself had planned on doing much of the work but has not been available because another client needed him. He keeps saying he'll be there soon. The hourly does cover materials of which there are very little given that it's almost entirely labor. A typical window has 12 panes and the painter is reglazing everything as well. The job literally takes the patience of a saint.

[Bamps]

It's good to know there's still good workers out there and people who appreciate it. Have you considered asking him?

[janedoe]

It's good to know there's still good workers out there and people who appreciate it. Have you considered asking him?

I'm a little iffy about that. Questions come up. I'd hate to have it come out that the kid who got brought on because of his dad and had little to no experience was getting a higher asking price than this guy. And, frankly, he signed on to do the job for what he was offered. I'd rather just tip him appropriately. We'll need him again in the future as well. I'm no good with ladders.

[voodoo]

it seems like where I live everytime I call to get some work done on anything its 100 bucks an hr plus parts/supplies. The person doing the work probably only gets 25/hr and the company takes the rest.

[doubledip1]

DH's company charges $3,000 an hour for his labor and he actually is paid $50... but he is in an extremely specialized field.

I would ask the painter and say you'd like to consider hiring him independently for any future work. And I would recommend him and offer a reference.