Am i being paid fairly for housepainting?
my roommate has a painting "company". i say company loosely. its only her, and me, sometimes. she pays me under the table no taxes i dont get a check so not surely im working for a company or for her or what. the first time we worked for 8 hours and finished the walls on the first floor of a home. i did a large portion of the work like 40 to 50 percent. she paid me 40, and said it was because she was teaching me a new skill and she had discounted the job. then i did a small job of sanding and primering 3 iron staircase railings. i did about half the work, she paid me 60 for that, which i thought was fair. then we did a large deck and a medium sized deck. i got paid 60 for that at about 6 hours. then we painted a one bedroom condo, walls only, it took about 10-11 hours straight through, i did all the rolling, and a small portion of trimwork i havent been paid yet but im not sure what is fair to ask for it. i know its her company, but if its just the two of us and i do half the work what is fair? should i be asking for a certain amount per hour or a percentage. any experienced house painters or contractors or company men know? i should mention that her rates are cheaper than contractors at 80 $ for a medium to moderately large room compared to 120 for a contractor. HELP
What’s fair and not fair is up to you! But this one thing is sure: your relationship is doomed if you two don’t agree up front what she will pay you, whether it is an hourly amount, or a percentage of job it doesn’t matter, an agreement has to be made. It is best to let go of what has happened, but move firmly forward.
Just remember ,10 bucks cash under the table is like 14 on the table, Once you learn more talk her into starting a partnership.She doesn:t seem to be making a killing on her end either.There isn:t much work out there right now, so be happy for even having work,If you don:t think you:re being paid fairly quit,