Hiring "Independent Contractors"

John,
I read Mike's post also and while it was good I think what he says applies mostly to people who would hire others to do the work for you on a sub-contract type basis.
What Don suggested as far as I could tell is for a lone man operation doing a few decks per week and turning a good profit. I'd say with this type of setup, as long as it didn't get too big, you would be OK without all the building permits etc..
I know a guy who for the past 15 years has made a VERY good full time living selling and laying carpet by himself(he sometimes uses a helper who he pays in cash) and no one has ever hassled him about permits or anything.

If you did this you might want to try and just keep it small for right now, then as you hire sub-contractors etc... worry about the things that Mike said.

Gary

> The pitfalls Mike mentions are a lot to
> consider. Time to pause for reflection and
> investigation.

> Thanks for the tip, Keith.

> Don, did you get a building permit? Did you
> purchase casualty insurance? Did you
> investigate the local building codes?

> John