Looking for a contractor in Madison, WI to get an estimate on a kitchen remodel. [more inside]
posted by echo target on Oct 21, 2009 - 5 answers

Chicago home improvement filter: We'd like to get an estimate for installing radiant-heat flooring in our condo (6-flat built at the turn of the last century. We own a duplex down, with the primary living area being on the ground floor) or possibly replacing the HVAC with baseboard heating. Anything, really, because the conversion from whatever-it-was to the gas furnace HVAC it now is was badly done and the place is freezing all the time. Any business or contractors you recommend? Suggestions for going about this the right way? Dire warnings? [more inside]
posted by crush-onastick on Oct 19, 2009 - 5 answers

Hi! I will soon graduate from a top computer science program with a PhD. I am interested to work in Iraq and Afghanistan for a year or two. Clearly, I prefer to work in the "green zone", but am willing to work alongside troops in the combat zone. I am quite versatile and can do alot of stuff, e.g., teaching, designing software, engineering work, testing, maintaining complex systems, etc. Does anyone know how I can go about this? I tried looking at KBR's and FLOUR's job postings for contractors. But they primarily list jobs that are in food service, transportation, warehousing, etc. I like to get a job that is intellectually fulfilling. Oh. One more thing. I am a foreign national from a country that is friendly to the US and the NATO countries. Thanks! :)
posted by jchaw on Sep 4, 2009 - 8 answers

Was i fired? [more inside]
posted by violetk on Aug 27, 2009 - 27 answers

Are contractors and salaried workers being affected differently by the slow economy, specifically in the IT industry? [more inside]
posted by ignignokt on Aug 6, 2009 - 11 answers

Our neighbor wants to hire my husband to act as a sort of general contractor to oversee some repairs on our neighbor's house. Before we say yes to this, what questions should we ask? [more inside]
posted by Ladybug Parade on Jul 20, 2009 - 14 answers

I work through Kelly Services in a long-term temp position at a huge multinational. I got a phone call today from Kelly Services saying they were giving all professional employees at the MNC a 5% pay cut, effective June 29. What can I do -- besides walk? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jun 17, 2009 - 17 answers

Best practices for hiring a roofing contractor, please. Like, do I care what brand of shingles he uses if I'm only planning to be here for a couple more years? How do I ensure my landscaping isn't destroyed? What sorts of things should be covered in the contract? Any and all advice, cautionary tales, etc., welcome!
posted by HotToddy on Jun 11, 2009 - 15 answers

Leaking something in an upstairs bathroom leads to ceiling falling in. Now what? [more inside]
posted by anti social order on Jun 9, 2009 - 12 answers

I wowed folks at my job interview for the full-time position being a webmaster / graphic designer / marketer. But they want me as a contractor first due to the economy. Thoughts on compensation? [more inside]
posted by umlaut on May 14, 2009 - 15 answers

I'm just starting out as an independent network and systems contractor and I think I've agreed to a bad deal. What are my options? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on May 5, 2009 - 21 answers

Is there an 'ask metafilter' on the internet for home/yard projects? Not that I'm disputing the collective mind here, but I'm looking to build something in my backyard and it seems to me there must be some group of contractors who all get together somewhere on the internet to tell amateurs that they're doing it wrong. Of course if you KNOW how to install a yard retaining wall, then, by all means, speak up. [more inside]
posted by rileyray3000 on Mar 23, 2009 - 24 answers

I'm being asked to do a freelance project and I have no idea what I'm doing! [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Mar 4, 2009 - 12 answers

What's the best way, once I tell a client I'm done with her, to protect myself from claims of unauthorized access or sabotage on the systems I configured for her? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Feb 18, 2009 - 7 answers

How has the recent economic situation affected the cost of a house remodel? Is it cheaper because of the soft housing market, or more expensive because more people are fixing up the places they own instead of moving?
posted by Xazeru on Jan 17, 2009 - 6 answers

I believe my company, a government contractor, is using alot of grey areas in their employee time cards to get away with paying as little as possible. For example, I am listed with them as "salary", which by my understanding would mean I get x amount of payment per pay period. However, they still have everyone fill out a time card, and pay us per the hours we have worked. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 27, 2008 - 14 answers

How do I say "no, unless..." to my boss's boss? [more inside]
posted by DU on Dec 16, 2008 - 29 answers

Who should I consult to tell me how to fix my house? Contractor? Structural engineer? [more inside]
posted by girlpublisher on Nov 29, 2008 - 6 answers

How should I evaluate prospective solo 401k providers? [more inside]
posted by gsh on Nov 17, 2008 - 2 answers

A company did additional work they were not authorized by us to do to our house, and now our house is broken. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Sep 22, 2008 - 12 answers

My wife and I own a home in central Florida. We would like to hire a contractor to add to our backyard a 10 x 20 concrete patio with a stamped pattern and an acid stain and seal. Help? [more inside]
posted by Lokheed on Sep 17, 2008 - 3 answers

My wife starts a new contracting job next week. I am looking for a good calculator to formulate how much should be set aside for taxes. I've Googled with no good solution. Is there a formula you use? If you are an independent contractor do you have any tips?
posted by Macboy on Sep 6, 2008 - 13 answers

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 by juggler 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 by anonymous 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 by NailsTheCat on Jul 11, 2008 - 10 answers

We are moving to Woburn, MA and need helping finding a variety of services there. [more inside]
posted by JonahBlack 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 by anonymous 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 by katestap 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 by phoeniciansailor 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 by cebailey 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 by miss lynnster 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 by sueinnyc 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 by bda1972 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 by cdmwebs 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 by B(oYo)BIES 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 by hernandez5000 on Sep 15, 2007 - 1 answer

Registering for the GST in Australia for a small consulting job; do we have to? What if we don't? [more inside]
posted by Jimbob 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 by anonymous 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 by AgentRocket 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 by harkin banks 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 by retro88 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 by Emanuel on Aug 1, 2007 - 8 answers

What's a good foundation repair contractor in Austin, TX? [more inside]
posted by kiita 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 by Cardinal Fang! on Feb 28, 2007 - 12 answers

How to hire and work with a contractor on a remodeling project [more inside]
posted by bove 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 by pmbuko 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 by Freedomboy 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 by Famous 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 by crush-onastick on Aug 8, 2006 - 6 answers

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