I am an independent tech contractor, about to pass some work onto my client, where I would be a part of the project's development team. What commission structure is typical? [more inside]
posted on Jul 21, 2008 - 5 answers

I work in a small shop as a contractor (I'm a programmer/mathematician) for a rather large organization. I've come to realize that I'd much rather work for said larger organization than the contracting shop. There's better opportunity for career advancement, more interesting and varied projects, a much better commute, etc. I am, however, rather new to this contractor thing, and I have no idea how to broach the subject with my contacts at said larger organization. Should I even talk to them about this? Is someone going from contractor-->contractee unheard of? [more inside]
posted on Jul 20, 2008 - 12 answers

We're in the middle of having a new kitchen installed. As part of the remodel we knocked down a couple of walls. The house has hardwood floors throughout yet the contractor did not put anything down to protect the floor(!!) when they did the demolition. No surprise then that there are scratches and a couple of gouges on the floor. We're not happy. How to approach this? What rights do we have? [more inside]
posted on Jul 11, 2008 - 10 answers

We are moving to Woburn, MA and need helping finding a variety of services there. [more inside]
posted on Jun 30, 2008 - 5 answers

i'm considering asking for a raise at work, which might essentially require asking for a raise for my whole team. soliciting opinions on if it's appropriate at this time. [more inside]
posted on Apr 9, 2008 - 9 answers

Last year we wrote a check to a contractor for half the amount of a job (he'd done work for us before). He altered the check to make it out to himself personally instead of his business, got cash from the bank and disappeared. We have the cancelled check with his driver's license number on the back. Can we trace him with that (without hiring a P.I)? We live in New York State.
posted on Apr 2, 2008 - 8 answers

what's the secret handshake that gets me access to the interesting/unusual materials that designers and contractors can get ahold of? [more inside]
posted on Feb 24, 2008 - 17 answers

Any good general contractors/painters in the Austin/Round Rock, TX area, or a good "contractor review" web site that can point me to one? [more inside]
posted on Feb 12, 2008 - 6 answers

18 year old guy from California really wants to become a contractor. Gimme the best advice for him please. [more inside]
posted on Jan 30, 2008 - 17 answers

After what has felt like months of waiting, it now looks as though I may very soon have a new flat (yay!) and need builders to carry out renovations in that flat. Although several friends of mine have made recommendations, I am having trouble finding recommended builders who work in (very) central London, WC1 to be precise. Any suggestions? [more inside]
posted on Nov 25, 2007 - 6 answers

Has anyone ever tried to negotiate with their employer after discovering they were misclassified as a contractor (vs. an employee)? [more inside]
posted on Nov 6, 2007 - 7 answers

What's the best marketing strategy for an independent contractor looking to focus on distribution centers and third party logistics providers? Long-winded version inside... [more inside]
posted on Oct 23, 2007 - 3 answers

Construction / Contractor Filter: So a month or so back some asshat ran into my house and took out a section of wall. Help me, my insurance adjuster, and the contractor figure out what the hell this orange 1/4" tube is running through the wall. [more inside]
posted on Oct 5, 2007 - 10 answers

I am a contractor who specializes in Multi family apartment remodeling. Can anyone recommend an estimating software that is affordable and easy to use.
posted on Sep 15, 2007 - 1 answers

Registering for the GST in Australia for a small consulting job; do we have to? What if we don't? [more inside]
posted on Sep 3, 2007 - 8 answers

I've got a research and thesis-based M.S. in engineering and a bachelor's degree from a very well-regarded school. What level on the corporate ladder should I be hired at? [more inside]
posted on Aug 31, 2007 - 7 answers

Please help me find a good contractor on the north side of Chicago to fix my porch. [more inside]
posted on Aug 17, 2007 - 2 answers

Inspired by this question: How can I find an attorney specializing in home renovation contracts in the San Francisco bay area? [more inside]
posted on Aug 15, 2007 - 2 answers

My chimney was in need of repair so i am having part of it re-built/ new caps and re-tuck pointed. The contractors created a lot of dust grinding out the old motor joints. Some of the dust landed on our neighbor's house and she is complaining about the damage it has caused to her in progress paint job. We are working on a solution, but who is responsible for this? What legal responsibility do i have if she discovers permanent damage in the future? Would the contractors be held responsible after I have paid them? [more inside]
posted on Aug 9, 2007 - 7 answers

I live in Canada and do contract work for a US company. How do I get the best exchange rate for regular currency exchange transactions? [more inside]
posted on Aug 1, 2007 - 8 answers

What's a good foundation repair contractor in Austin, TX? [more inside]
posted on Mar 6, 2007 - 4 answers

Help me figure out how to compare employee pay/benefits with self-employed pay/benefits? Math may be required. Please show your work. Start... now: [more inside]
posted on Feb 28, 2007 - 12 answers

How to hire and work with a contractor on a remodeling project [more inside]
posted on Feb 25, 2007 - 10 answers

How do I get a few planks of flooring from a company that says they don't sell material without also installing it? [more inside]
posted on Feb 13, 2007 - 8 answers

LawyerHive: If I send to the condo lawyer a copy of a letter wherein I suggest to my condo association that it has an improper independent contractor on site who may not be paying the proper taxes, social security withholding and/or workers compensation does the lawyer have a legal obligation to act to make sure this is not the case and if the lawyer fails to act is the lawyer in trouble? Can the lawyer ignore this notification of a possible crime?
posted on Feb 12, 2007 - 13 answers

Independent contractor filter: what is the best way to simultaneously raise my rates and not lose the business? [more inside]
posted on Aug 15, 2006 - 15 answers

i need a carpenter and electrician to do a very small job in a condo (lakeview/boys town ish) in Chicago. everyone i've asked says they don't know anyone who will take so small a job. [described inside] [more inside]
posted on Aug 8, 2006 - 6 answers

Contractor ignored warning label on windows now they are scratched. What should I do ? [more inside]
posted on Jul 26, 2006 - 13 answers

When we finished my basement, I never got it inspected or approved by the town. Is this going to be a big problem for us? [more inside]
posted on Jun 20, 2006 - 10 answers

Are there any good websites with information about being an independent contractor? Google is failing me. [more inside]
posted on Jun 3, 2006 - 7 answers

Can anyone recommend home inspectors and/or renovation contractors in Portland, Oregon? [more inside]
posted on May 15, 2006 - 3 answers

How can I grow my IT business while trying to make a living? I run a one man band IT support business in the UK. Business was great and got a lot of work through recommendations, then for a better life, me and my family moved into the country 200 miles from our original location. [more inside]
posted on May 8, 2006 - 12 answers

Is there any way to get insurance on behalf of an independent contractor for a specific manual-labor project? Has anyone done this? If so, how much was it and is there anything I need to know to be smart about arranging this? [more inside]
posted on May 3, 2006 - 5 answers

Can anyone recommend a good contractor / home builder in the Boston / Metrowest area? [more inside]
posted on Apr 25, 2006 - 6 answers

UKContractorFilter: I am going to be working as a contractor in the UK for a good while and the local tax laws perplex me to say the least. From this link it looks like there may be ways to reduce my UK tax liability, and/or at least make it count towards my US taxes. Surely, I am not the first one to go through this; pointers, tips, good/bad experiences? [more inside]
posted on Apr 13, 2006 - 5 answers

Looking for an HONEST home contractor in San Bernardino. [more inside]
posted on Feb 28, 2006 - 6 answers

Is it cheaper to buy a house or build one from scratch? [more inside]
posted on Nov 14, 2005 - 18 answers

Contractor filter: I need to figure how much I am actually getting paid. I have a feeling I'm getting the shaft on my pay. [more inside]
posted on Nov 2, 2005 - 15 answers

A former colleague of mine has a consultancy business and wants to subcontract some work to me. I would be introduced to the client as the person who will be handling all aspects of the project and will also be the main point of contact for that client. I know how much this client will be billed on a monthly basis and my question is what percentage of that amount should I realistically expect to receive for doing all the work? Is there a standard subcontractor percentage that I can quote?
posted on Oct 17, 2005 - 4 answers

We are having a fairly major renovation done on our house by a friend. Do we get him a gift at then end and if so, what could it be? [more inside]
posted on Jun 20, 2005 - 9 answers

Can anyone recommend a good handyman or home/construction type contractor in the Seattle area? (Specifically Bellevue, but most of these guys seem willing to travel.) [more inside]
posted on May 11, 2005 - 5 answers

I recently(ish) became self employed as an IT contractor. From spending 8 hours a day in an office, I now work wherever and whenever I like. Is this legal? [more inside]
posted on Apr 10, 2005 - 17 answers

When do I call a lawyer? I did some contract work for a small firm that has been unable to pay me. We're way past Net-30, and it's enough money that I can't deal with it in small claims court (about $15k). I'm in contact with them, and I believe that they want to pay me, but simply don't have the cash (I could be wrong). At what point do I stop waiting? Is it worth calling a lawyer if they don't have the money, or is it important to call a lawyer in case they declare bankruptcy?
posted on Jan 21, 2005 - 13 answers

How do I find a contractor for an unusual job? The members of my condo association want to look into enlarging the balconies on our building. Should I start at the 'A's in the General Contracting section of the yellow pages and work my way down?
posted on Dec 9, 2004 - 8 answers

IndependentContractorFilter: So I've landed a gig doing some contract programming, except we don't actually have a signed contract yet. Before I sink any more time (existing time being this afternoon) into it, and before I deliver anything, I want one, obviously. Does anyone know of any example programming contracts online I can crib from? All the obvious search words are so over-represented on the Web that my Google results are uselessly noisy.
posted on Aug 9, 2004 - 5 answers