Would you hire day laborers from the Home Depot parking lot?

[Al in Ohio]

Quote:

Originally Posted by brewer12345 Never. No reflection on the guys trying to make a buck out there, but I would not want to take the risk.

Ditto. Getting references for anything like that is important for many reasons, the least of which is security. What you ate questioning is considering doing about the exact opposite.

[harley]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bestwifeever Elizabeth Smart was abducted by the day laborer her parents hired to do some work around their house.

Kidnappings like this make up less than .1% of all abductions. Just to put it in perspective.

I've hired guys outside Home Depot as well as at the U-Haul lot a couple times. Never had any problems, although some of them were better workers than others. If I spoke Spanish I'd have no hesitation at all. I wouldn't go with these guys if I needed any skills, because there's no way to vet them ahead of time. But just for labor, no problem. Just make sure at least one of them can communicate with you.

[marko]

Just thinking: It must work out ok for most people who use them, otherwise they wouldn't still be standing there.

IOW, if there was a huge problem/issue/concern there would be an outcry for them to be moved on, stopped etc. At the very least, word would get out not to hire them and eventually, they'd stop hanging out in the parking lot.

"...if this place keeps being crowded, they're gonna go out of business..." Yogi

[ziggy29]

I'd never do that for work *inside* my home. I'd be tempted for work outside the home, but their lack of insurance and the potential for getting sued if they hurt themselves on my property would still be deal-breakers.

[Walt34]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ziggy29 I'd never do that for work *inside* my home. I'd be tempted for work outside the home, but their lack of insurance and the potential for getting sued if they hurt themselves on my property would still be deal-breakers.

+1.

I would consider calling a real estate agent and ask who they call for small jobs. RE agents always have a list of people who are honest, reliable, and are fairly priced.

[daylatedollarshort]

I wouldn't hire a stranger to work around the house that wasn't licensed and insured. I want to minimize my chances of getting sued. It is not worth the risk to me to save a few bucks in the short term.

[sengsational]

I have hired some guys to place concrete. But I just handed my card to some guys who were working another job, and got their names. I figured since they already had a 'real' job, they had more to lose than a guy hustling outside the home center. Sort of like telephone calls...If I initiate the connection, I'm much more confident than if someone else does.

[soupcxan]

I think you all are right, the risk isn't worth the savings for the work I need done.

[tryan]

I did a rental rehab with 2 guys from a homeless shelter. The woman i hired to paint worked at the shelter so she hand picked them. Even with her "screening" one kid only lasted a couple days. The other worked out great (I'll use him again).

[Jmo1969]

Just went to Home Depot. My answer has changed to definitely not.

[veremchuka]

I'm amazed by some of the answers, I posted early on, just amazed.

[kramer]

I have paid cash to laborers from Mexico and Central America quite a few times, but this was for strictly unskilled labor. Mostly moving, loading, digging or basic yard work. I have only had good luck and actually a good time talking with them about their experiences in the USA. Due to language skills, I have always been the intermediary when helping friends who needed some unskilled labor for the day.