Business Owners Must Hire Laborers Carefully
Hiring independent contractors to perform general labor tasks requires careful thought. You do want to hire the best person possible for your business's needs. Of course, a company struggling with limited cash flow can't always go through a labor work placement service. The fees could be a little too high. Hiring a self-employed professional by answering a classified job listing could help you save money, but do make sure the person has very proverbial base covered to handle the job.
Skilled Labor and Not a General Fix-It Worker
Manual labor takes many forms. You want a laborer capable of handling the specific job at your business's location. Any laborer you consider must possess adequate skills. Someone hired to demolish concrete steps and remove the debris must fully know what he/she is doing. You don't want a "handyman" who tries to figure out how to do a complicated job while driving to the site. To be sure you hire the right person or crew, inquire about the following before signing any agreements:
Review the General Liability Policy: You don't want any "freelancers" working at your business without insurance coverage. Don't automatically assume the policy the laborer holds is appropriate. Ask to review the policy to determine if it is valid in your state, whether it covers the type of job requested, what exclusions exist, and so on.
Ask for an Inventory of Tools: The laborers who show up at a job site must possess the necessary tools to do the job right. You don't want someone to show up with a sizeable crew that lacks the tools for the job. Perform a little research to figure out what equipment. You won't need a ten-page list covering every minute detail about the tools, but the response should provide insights into whether the crew will be properly equipped. Otherwise, the resultant work may turn out shoddy.
Inquire About the Crew's Truck: File this under things that shouldn't be overlooked. Is the truck the right size one for the job? If the contractor uses a pickup truck when a cargo van would be better, does this mean he/she will spend excessive time driving to material pickup locations and such? The wrong vehicle could deliver an unwanted ripple effect. Jobs may experience delays, or materials might suffer damage.
All this may appear to be extra work for a business owner attempting to hire laborers. Extra work improves the chances things get done right. Isn't that worth the effort?
Learn more about the importance of general labor jobs for your business.
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