How much to pay for menial labor in the yard and around the house

My wife and I have a home in el campo outside of La Vega. You know, an area where the streets have no names, the houses have no numbers, the roosters never stop crowing, the dogs never stop barking, and more than one of your neighbors has a couple of pigs. VBG

What's a fair pay rate for those neighbors that help with menial chores in the house or the yard? Chores like washing the dishes, sweeping and mopping the floors, taking the garbage to the garbage truck, cleaning the yard, etc.

This is what I used to pay my employees at my fabrication company, they have 2 hour lunch . Morning and afternoon 15-20 breaks . 5 days a week .   

https://www.littler.com/publication-pre … %2C%202022

FWIW, this is not a 40 hours a week full-time job nor is it skilled labor. It's an occasional gig, 2-3 hours at a time doing work a kid can do.

The best advice is ask around your area.  This changes dramatically by area. And of course consider what it's worth to you!

brilliant, planner (as usual)

what it is worth to you is an important factor in the equation.

Ball Park .................. 500-750/day depending

I asked here because I don't have the physical or language ability to ask around. My mobility is seriously restricted.

I'd also suggest that using the value "what it's worth to me" number would be an extremely bad, very insulting idea if that number is way below the market rate.

So, I'm back to asking those of you who are paying people for some ideas. Those numbers would be useful.

Does that make sense?

hi there Kentonflaig..

no offense intended when i raise the subject of what it is worth...

the main issue is that expats and Dominicans see payment diferently, because of the income realities.  a local would be happy with paying 50 pesos for a chore..an expat would be uncomfortable with that amount.

if a panhandler asks me for help i am uncomfortable handing him or her less than 50 pesos. my Dominican buddies think 5 pesos is a King's Ransom.

you have to really consider …… how big is your yard ? Are you cutting weeds or pulling tree stumps…… I pay 1000 pesos to cut , rake bag my front and back lawn , and then I payed a guy 100 pesos to carry a dresser down from a second story apartment and he was so grateful he didn’t want to leave, he wanted to do more for me……. So I think if you look at how labor intensive it is you try to compensate accordingly….. I also try to factor in it’s usually 100 degrees outside , remember what price they throw out at yer you could always haggle a little so they don’t think they found a su***r….or a big su***r…..:-)

[at]kentonflaig 1k to 1200 k peso for entire day of light work for that area. However, if you have someone there that are friends of the family go with them for offer.

Thanks, guys, that was helpful!

First of all, can we change the language from menial to unskilled?

We typically pay around 150-250 per hour for cleaning, yard clean up and similar tasks.

[at]ddmcghee  How to I make the change?

@kentonflaig I just meant going forward in the discussion

[at]ddmcghee  Ah, I see and I agree!

[at]crabelramble

I use local skilled and unskilled labor a lot. Both for my house and fir building projects.

You are best to negotiate a price on a piecemeal basis not per hour.

My 450 M2  house is on 1200 meters of land in Santo Domingo Norte.

Cleaning lady 2 X per week 6000 per month

To clean a yard of weeds down to the dirt is 1000 pesos. Depending on the worker it is 6-10 hours. 6 if the price was for the job,10 if by the hour.

A construction day laborer is 800 pesos or 500 for a half day.

Plumber, electrician,mason  minimum 1000 pesos up to 2000 for a day for simple install. Tricky repairs can double that.

Calculating 100 pesos per hour for a job is fine. But you need to think how many man-hours it should take,do the math, offer 80% of that number as initial price,let them negotiate up.

I have had quotes on wall building that were 3X higher than the should be. Same in painting. You need to determine how many man-hours first.

You should keep a  works note book to record  each job and what you paid.

If it's an occasionally reoccurring job keep track of how long it takes each time.

Good advice, thank you!

[at]crabelramble

Hi

Here Tomasz

General you can discuss it individual

But not should be Lees than 80-90 peso por hora

But wash clothing 1 big bag can cost you around 400 Peso

I agree with your numbers Max but as always it depends.  Here in Bavaro area I paid 15K for 2 men for 4 hours for a roof repair (labour only).  Way too much but better than the first guys that wanted 35K!  Prices in our area are out of hand.