> O.k, I say "kind of" because with a union run job, it's usually done on time, and done well. This is why owners of Class A real estate usually mandate union

> O.k, I say "kind of" because with a union run job, it's usually done on time, and done well. This is why owners of Class A real estate usually mandate union labor, at least for MEP trades. I bid and run work at a union shop, it’s sometimes difficult to compete on prevailing wage/public jobs here since only the cash wage portion is counted and not the benefits portion. So, a non-union shop can pay the $45/hr prevailing wage and cheap out on fringe benefits, maybe an additional 12-15/hr, where the union labor gets the prevailing wage and negotiated fringe benefits package that is roughly 2x the base wage (total comp). Right now we pay union journeyman electricians $87/hr in IBEW 292, which will go to $90/hr next Monday. The good thing is, there’s plenty of work for union shops since as I mentioned, lots of Class A real estate and giant companies stick to union labor for construction, as the quality or perceived quality is higher (in general). You’re also correct about the extra savings going to the developer, if you hire non-union labor and are bidding against a union shop and it’s a lump sum bid, you only need to beat the union guy by 1-2%, the rest is profit to keep. It’s refreshing to see someone with actual experience commenting about construction on HN, nice post!