Wages for Remodelling work

[seedy]

BIL doing some work for us - extending the roof, bricking up a new wall and installing door, some concrete pad work ... nothing too skilled.

Asked the GF what to pay him and how - per day, per job, ...

Got the standard answer 'Up to You'

What are the going rates for labour for the above tasks if I was to hire a stranger ?

The work seems to be done OK - but I am at a loss as to what to give him.

Trying to walk the fine line between enuf and too much.

Thanks

[beachproperty]

So...you hire a worker but am not told what he wants to be paid? Unusual to say the least! why not try asking him?

With that said ....I am doing a construction job now ....pay is as follows....general worker/laborer (300 baht/day) ...foreman, electrician, plumber and wood worker (450 baht/day).

But, as your wife says....."Up to you" and since wages have not been discussed what's the worst that can happen if you pay on the low end of the scale....job done and worker unhappy.

Hey good luck though

[seedy]

since wages have not been discussed what's the worst that can happen if you pay on the low end of the scale....job done and worker unhappy.

BIL = brother in law.

So more than unhappy.

But thanks for your pay scale tho

[beachproperty]

since wages have not been discussed what's the worst that can happen if you pay on the low end of the scale....job done and worker unhappy.

BIL = brother in law.

So more than unhappy.

But thanks for your pay scale tho

Personally, my feeling is that hiring family without discussing terms is a recipe for disaster. Best to let your wife handle it .....and if she's like my wife the pay will be on the low end. If the pay goes any higher than 400 baht/day (as he appears not to be a specialist) then something fishy is going on! Maybe a kick back to the wife? (not trying to imply anything but this is Thailand!)

Edited November 17, 2014 by beachproperty

[dean008]

"Personally, my feeling is that hiring family without discussing terms is a recipe for disaster. Best to let your wife handle it .....and if she's like my wife the pay will be on the low end"

It would have been so easy to have stopped here

since wages have not been discussed what's the worst that can happen if you pay on the low end of the scale....job done and worker unhappy.

BIL = brother in law.

So more than unhappy.

But thanks for your pay scale tho

Personally, my feeling is that hiring family without discussing terms is a recipe for disaster. Best to let your wife handle it .....and if she's like my wife the pay will be on the low end. If the pay goes any higher than 400 baht/day (as he appears not to be a specialist) then something fishy is going on! Maybe a kick back to the wife? (not trying to imply anything but this is Thailand!)

[Paul944]

Not discussing the reward in front results in uncomfortable situations. If you pay cheaply the family will blame your GF and she will blame you. If you pay far too much the family will not respect you that much anymore, thinking you are a fool. But they will do think this probably already, so the best is to keep your gf happy.

Try to get an estimate of the work hours, the cost of materials used if he provided them. Easiest is to give your gf money to pay her brother and tell her she can spend the left over money the way she likes it. I would give something like 800 baht a day + materials costs to her. If she gives it all to her brother it is up to her. Just make it clear you feel uncomfortable that she is not helping you with this and for the next job you probably will hire an outsider.

[MichaelSong]

I paid my BIL exactly the same as the other workers, 280/day 2 years ago, should be 300 now. Did not even discuss this with the missus.

[seedy]

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Answers about what I expected - I must be lucky. GF family not like this at all.

But others results will vary I see.