[Bear]

Given how much painting and fixing we've had to do in our new apartment, we've been hitting Home Depot like crazy because something new always comes up that we need to get. At my Home Depot, there's usually about 15-20 mexicans (yes, you can tell they're mexican) just loitering in the parking lot. Are these guys safe?

My gf and I spent all weekend painting and fixing up to move in, we were exhausted. I was seriously considering asking how much they charge for labor. I almost feel guilty for thinking about it since it seems like a slap in the face to someone when you're like "Yeah, how much for a few hours?", "Ok, get in". From what I've read online, these guys just take whatever work they can at whatever pay and send the money to their families in Mexico. Seems like a BS story but who knows...

I know we have a lot of mexican lovers (haters) in here...

[tex]

Yeah. They're called day laborers among other things. They're all over the place in houston. My dad's buddy would go pick them up to do his yardwork. Most of them are pretty talented and will bust ass.

The rates are weird though. Depending on where you go (in Houston) - the ones downtown by my high school would take $5 no problem (shit, they'd buy us beer during HS for $1 or 2). The ones in the nice suburb areas will sometimes refuse to work for less than $20

When I moved out of the Tech dorms freshman year, me and my roommate got a day laborer for $15/hr to help us because we were lazy

[MSP]

I love Mexicans, and it's Cinco de Mayo after all. But would I support illegal immigrant labor when people like Wiskas is out of work? No way.

But seriously, my gut is full of authentic Mexican food and beer right now. I'm in Texas, they know how to make it around here. And I stumbled onto a great place on a back street.

[Caucasian Hammer]

One of the best parts about being American is being able to be lazy and hire Mexicans to do your work for you.
We just got one to help with yard work....$4.50 an hour and he works his ass off the entire time. No breaks, no stopping, all he asks for is us to fill his gallon jug with water.

[gB dAvId x]

I have a question, why are you and your girl friend doing all the repair work and moving into an apartment? Should'nt the apartment owners be doing the repair work or did I miss something?

[Juballharshaw]

Originally Posted by gB dAvId x

I have a question, why are you and your girl friend doing all the repair work and moving into an apartment? Should'nt the apartment owners be doing the repair work or did I miss something?

The apartment was owned by family, I'm guessing it's a condo sort of deal.

See: Time to move out!

As per the OP, when I was in LA I thought I overheard that they would work for $100/day which was still cheaper than other labor so if you can get them for less.

They'll get your place cleaner than Spic and Span.... no wait...

<_<

>_>

[super_Chris]

I've never hired one, but I've heard they can be demanding. I know someone who picked one up to move material on a jobsite, and he wanted $10 an hour plus lunch.

My opinion on the matter is this, I've got two hands and enough friends that I'll never need to hire some random(and potentially dangerous) laborer.

[Bear]

Originally Posted by gB dAvId x

I have a question, why are you and your girl friend doing all the repair work and moving into an apartment? Should'nt the apartment owners be doing the repair work or did I miss something?

The walls were white when we took the place so we're sprucing it up with a nice color scheme, not to mention we had to do about 2 coats per room. Outlets/switches are being changed, new blinds etc. - we're not tearing down walls or anything. My uncle (landlord) is taking care of the heavier things like a washer/dryer, new light fixtures, bathroom re-tiled, kitchen re-tiled.

[Juballharshaw]

Originally Posted by super_Chris

I've never hired one, but I've heard they can be demanding. I know someone who picked one up to move material on a jobsite, and he wanted $10 an hour plus lunch.

My opinion on the matter is this, I've got two hands and enough friends that I'll never need to hire some random(and potentially dangerous) laborer.

Psh, all Americans have guns so we don't need to be worried about the illegals.

[super_Chris]

Originally Posted by Juballharshaw

Psh, all Americans have guns so we don't need to be worried about the illegals.

Not in California. Hell, I don't own a gun.

[Juballharshaw]

Well almost all of LA and Ventura counties did/do!

Not sure what's wrong with Riverside.

[super_Chris]

Originally Posted by Juballharshaw

Well almost all of LA and Ventura counties did/do!

Not sure what's wrong with Riverside.

Lol. I can agree with you on the LA gun count, but I can't vouch for Ventura, I've never been there.

[ninefivezero]

Originally Posted by Bear

From what I've read online, these guys just take whatever work they can at whatever pay and send the money to their families in Mexico. Seems like a BS story but who knows....

Actually its true, it is a big reason they come here. I did a quick google

Poll: Fewer Mexicans send money home - Race & ethnicity - MSNBC.com

"In states considered “new destination” states for Latinos, such as Georgia, Pennsylvania and North Carolina, only 56 percent of Mexican migrants said they sent money home, compared with 80 percent the previous year."

The sentence is not directly on the subject, but it does show that in some communities it is common for 50%, 80%, maybe even more in other communities.

[sims]

Originally Posted by Caucasian Hammer

One of the best parts about being American is being able to be lazy and hire Mexicans to do your work for you.

lol. I must see no more then like 5 mexican's a year.

I'm a little jealous though, I can't even pay the rich suburban white kids we have around here to do anything, they have all the money they need from their parents.

all we have are legitimate contractors and they cost $$$

[Jishory]

get off your lazy cheap ass and do the work yourself or hire a licensed contractor that pays taxes and is insured, i honestly hope if you hire one of these guys your place gets broken into by one of them, you get butt raped, your apartment burns down or gets flooded, and your insurance wont cover it because you had unlicenced people doing work for you, then while one of those things happen you have to go to an overcrowded emergency room and wait 7 hours behind people with colds and your child(or future child) gets a shitty education and cant speak english.

[mistawiskas]

Yeah, what he said. Do you guys realize, that in this economic downturn, my trades aren't making any more than the prices you quoted the mexicans as taking? The illegals have driven a good career to the dirt. Legit contractors can no longer compete. Insurance and bonding rates have gone up to the point where it no longer pays to make a living by the rules. An end to independent contractors is at hand. Say hello to not being able to hire a licenced, bonded and insured proffessional for any sort of prioce you can afford. Oh, and you may want to learn espaniol.

[Miller]

Originally Posted by Jishory

get off your lazy cheap ass and do the work yourself or hire a licensed contractor that pays taxes and is insured, i honestly hope if you hire one of these guys your place gets broken into by one of them, you get butt raped, your apartment burns down or gets flooded, and your insurance wont cover it because you had unlicenced people doing work for you, then while one of those things happen you have to go to an overcrowded emergency room and wait 7 hours behind people with colds and your child(or future child) gets a shitty education and cant speak english.

Originally Posted by mistawiskas

Yeah, what he said. Do you guys realize, that in this economic downturn, my trades aren't making any more than the prices you quoted the mexicans as taking? The illegals have driven a good career to the dirt. Legit contractors can no longer compete. Insurance and bonding rates have gone up to the point where it no longer pays to make a living by the rules. An end to independent contractors is at hand. Say hello to not being able to hire a licenced, bonded and insured proffessional for any sort of prioce you can afford. Oh, and you may want to learn espaniol.

what they said, dont take away from us tradesman.

[SoulAssassin]

If i'm only moving I just call some friends and bribe them with beer and it always works. NOw that I've got some shit to repair around the house, if I can't do it, I'm calling a contractor/business. I don't want anyone f'n up my place who can't be held accountable or at least return to help if problems arise.

[tex]

I don't know what kind of day workers you guys or your friends are hiring. This is for shit like carrying all your shit out of the garage to the garbage, doing yardwork, moving, etc. Painting would be the most "professional" thing I'd probably hire any of them for

[Torx]

i started noticing this last year when i was making rounds to home depot and lowes..

outside in the parking lot there would be mexicans lined up sitting on the ground, lots of them.. if i sat around long enough usually a white man would come by, pull up in a truck and theyd all hop into the back. Im guessing theyre "day laborers" like said.

but its really weird...