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aloha all, i am new on the forum but wanted to get your thoughts on the new law that passed in June of 2013...which basically states that owner builders NOW need to withold tax for unlicensced workers and pay for workmans comp insurance.
does this change our ability to function as an owner builder or is it just more red tape we can avoid ?
mahalo[
!]
the doc is in...
the doc is in...
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http://openstates.org/hi/bills/2013%20Re...D00049938/
^ for anyone who wants to read.
The aim of the bill is to make building in hawaii more difficult/expensive for the 'little guy' under the ever useful guise of 'safety'. Essentially we the people are to stupid to make decisions on our own - we need someone to monitor us in every aspect. It's an important paradigm of control and it's got to be maintained so that the layman remains convinced they must over pay a 'specialist' to do any given task.
Obviously i'm not trying to say anyone can build a lunar landing module or a ceramic re-entry shield...however claiming we have to pay someone to fix our toilet or put in a new outlet etc etc etc....Nanny state - perpetuated by SB 1077.
In puna many choose to hide behind the foilage and do whatever they please. Some seem to get unlucky but they are the minority, most get by fine without interference. Compliance is your choice, choose wisely.
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i think the red tape will ultimately reduce tax revenue as it constrains growth.
taking money from peter to pay paul was never a good idea.
the doc is in...
the doc is in...
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BINGO!
you're right on track Doc...it seems to me that our politicians are trying to slow down immigration as they realize they are losing their grip on the reigns of the local government. Every new resident that moves here is just adding to the threat of taking away their control of a system they've dominated since hawaii was incorporated into the union.
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It's not just "protectionist" -- applying plenty of red tape to slow down growth is a way of mitigating the "inadequate infrastructure" issues, and it's especially effective if people "give up" when they get too frustrated and/or run out of money.
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That is the law most places and protects the workers as with any employee you pay as an employer. Cash under-the-table is just ripping off the worker. Most of those guys can't afford to hire someone else to build their houses like you can. Why shouldn't you pay into their Social security and worker's comp? Won't they need SS someday and what if they are injured or crippled on your project? Tough luck?
Construction workers get beat up physically over a lifetime of low wage jobs.
If you are tuly an owner/builder then why is the someone else there doing the building?
Been there
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this is why a release of liability from all all who performed work or provided materials is standard at the end of the project - if not performed exposes the owner to a batch of liens for same
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If you are an owner/builder hiring labor I would just run them through a temp agency who then covers the insurance, taxes etc and just sends you a bill for the amt + their percentage.
Even owner builders hire some labor once in awhile. We are going to when we do our fence next month.
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Cat, you got it right, as always (hehe), however, the prices that many temp cos. charge seem way high. Which temp agencies are the most reasonable? Do you know what rates for general labor or carpenters run? Best temp cos?
Can't an owner/builder get their own comp. policy and have their payroll done by their accountant?
Dan
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quote:
Originally posted by DanielP
Cat, you got it right, as always (hehe), however, the prices that many temp cos. charge seem way high. Which temp agencies are the most reasonable? Do you know what rates for general labor or carpenters run? Best temp cos?
Can't an owner/builder get their own comp. policy and have their payroll done by their accountant?
Dan
Once you add in the insurance, etc, and cost for bookkeeping, the agencies arent that high.