Where to find helpers on day rates?

Hello,
I’m in the final stage of a renovation in Brighton. Doing a lot of the work myself (reasonably skilled DIYer) but need some help to finish on time.

Where can I hire some help on day rates? Don’t need anything fancy just decorating prep, tidying up, etc.

Struggling so far. People on checkatrade etc typically only want to price jobs. Then there’s some handypeople in Brighton with stylish websites who charge around £200 a day, which I think is above the odds — I hired a very skilled guy I know for £130 per day last week but he’s busy now.

Where is a good place to look? Any forums, Facebook?

Thanks everyone!!!

the jobcentre?

Ansgar said:

Hello,
I’m in the final stage of a renovation in Brighton. Doing a lot of the work myself (reasonably skilled DIYer) but need some help to finish on time.

Where can I hire some help on day rates? Don’t need anything fancy just decorating prep, tidying up, etc.

Struggling so far. People on checkatrade etc typically only want to price jobs. Then there’s some handypeople in Brighton with stylish websites who charge around £200 a day, which I think is above the odds — I hired a very skilled guy I know for £130 per day last week but he’s busy now.

Where is a good place to look? Any forums, Facebook?

Thanks everyone!!!

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The problem you will have is that builders always need good labourers, they go through a lot to get decent ones and those are worth their weight in gold.


Try signing up to nextdoor? Then post up a message asking.....
I bet nextdoor is pretty active in Brighton

Brighton must have a thriving Eastern European community, a builder I know uses Lithuanian labourers £80 a day and he said they work really hard.
I believe the builder knows an 'agent' who has all the contacts.
Maybe ask around an Eastern European cafe or Polish shop -Portslade or Shorham, maybe Worthing.

Failing that, go into your local builders merchant or for decorating try Brewers maybe anywhere that might have a bit of network of trades guys.

There must be building works jobs going on near your street -if you have some front, stop by and ask somebody working on site -'oi mate Im looking for a labourer for a few days work, do you know anybody'.

You would be amazed how much work tradesmen get through networking -nearly all the trades guys Ive employed have been from builders Ive asked.

Keep away from checkacowboy

Ansgar said:

Where can I hire some help on day rates? Don’t need anything fancy just decorating prep, tidying up, etc.

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"Don’t need anything fancy just decorating prep"?

I take it that you don't care about the quality of finish then... either that or you do not quite understand the skill set required for each trade.

Why pay £130 for someone who, for example, preps the walls so badly that the decorator then charges you 30% more?

Other than the advice offered by Notch7, local pubs can be useful with regards to recommendations, with the caveat that you drink in the kind of pub that is frequented by tradesmen.

Another possibility might be to ask friends in the area if their older child wants some cash to help with the more mundane tasks.

Notch7 said:

a builder I know uses Lithuanian labourers £80 a day and he said they work really hard.

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I bet that builder doesn’t want to leave the EU does he - he might have to start paying a fair wage to his labourers.