If 1st yr apprentice did work 4 me should I be charged $33 per hour?

Question

For a 16 year old 1st year apprentice plumber, on 16 July I was charged at $26.40 per hour.One week later on 24 July I was charged at $33 per hour.I thought both amounts per hour were rather high.He only assisted the qualified plumber on both occasions.

Answer 1

You got ripped off. Not because of the pay, but because the kid was not an actual apprentice. You are required to be 18 to work in the construction trades due to insurance.. Try calling the Building Permit office for your area and ask.

Answer 2

you've been taken.  I wouldn't pay a 16yr old more than $10/hr

Answer 3

A first year apprentice (who can be 15 in Australia) is only likely to be paid between $6 to $8 an hour, but you do need to take into consideration what he is paid in other allowances (travel, tool etc). Then there are other things to consider, like how far he had to travel to get to your place, how much insurance his employer has to pay for him, his super, his union fees, his school fees and probably five other things I can't think of right now. So it may seem a little high but it probably isn't.

Answer 4

Considering that journeyman plumbers charge $60 per hour those fees seem about right.

Answer 5

thats a lot of money for a kid ..here in the uk it would be half that

Answer 6

The cheaper kid will save a lot of the more expensive guy's time - running back & forth to the truck, providing a third hand, etc.  And, the company very likely has to cover the kid's workers comp, UI, & other costs.

It's not like you hired the kid directly, and the company is not in business for your convenience.

Answer 7

i am in the building trade.i charge an hourly rate,based on the requirements of the job,,,,or a fixed price if the job is straight forward....even in an emergency situation...brocken window,water leak etc...its up to the customer to get a quotation...if you cant wait,,,,pay the costs,,,if u can,,,get more quotes...the more employees i have on the job..the quicker it gets done,but the price is more.....you pay more per hour for a quicker job,,,less per hour for a slower job..(less manpower) takes longer...if you recieve an estimate on time and cost,,,and you dont like it,,,look elsewhere,

Answer 8

Well as a small bus owner I can certainly say "workmans comp" insurance plays a huge roll in costs.Combine that with gen lib ins and it will easly eat up $10 an hour.Then there is a mark up on labor,apprentice or not.16 is a legal entry level age to start working reguardless if McDonalds or the trades.

Apprentice pay say $10 an hour,other costs $10 an hour,profit for man.Remember we are in business to make money,not lose it.I would however question the difference 26-33.

My Best

Answer 9

Some companies will do this but not all.It's not unethical though.I have seen higher hourly rates too.

Answer 10

Labor rates have little to do with what the apprentice gets paid. Companies charge standard rates for "Licensed Plumbers" and about half that for apprentice or helpers. This covers their wages, workman's comp, bonds, taxes, and insurances, etc.

What ever an employee paid in Social Security taxes, his employer has to match and pay for him. Workman's comp insurances come directly out of the bosses pocket too.