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I built my own house because almost every step was more expensive hourly labor than me writing software for an hour instead. Even the lower rate such as concre
by beaeglebeached 3y ago
I built my own house because almost every step was more expensive hourly labor than me writing software for an hour instead.
Even the lower rate such as concrete laborers wanted 100+ an hour.
I suspect the low pay of many of these trades is just a symptom of housing and construction being the number one money laundering industry and thus tradesman are always saying they're making nothing while simultaneously asking 100+ an hour cash and working full weeks.
Id bet the BLS income reports are off by like 50+%.
- bernawil 3y agoI think you mean tax dodging instead of money laundering there. Though, if they are really succesful dodging taxes, they might need to do some money laundering later, too.
- deleted 3y ago[deleted]
- evilduck 3y agoIt's a bit of both. It's not too hard to get cash-only "customers" to buy services you don't have to actually perform. It's also pretty easy to write two invoices, feign a mixup, and skim some off the top of a payment.
- hellotomyrars 3y agoWhere is your house? Those rates are not typical nationwide but I know a general contractor who is involved in construction on the islands near Bellingham and the rates there are like what you describe. I agree that in my experience a lot of contractors would rather deal with cash and it isn’t exactly a secret why. I got a significant all cash discount on a new roof.