Hi you lucky people living in the sun...

I am moving out to Portugal later this summer, now that the house in the UK is sold and going through. On the subject of work... My trade in the UK is plastering and rendering, what do you think my chances of sucess in this line of work are in the Algarve? Any advice gratefully received? Best to advertise in the Resident and the like? I appreciate there is a difference in the materials between the 2 countries etc...

Thoughts? Cheers

Didn't you inform before you settled selling everything? Anyway I reckon the earnings for plastering aren't that high in Portugal. You'd rathetr lay some contacts with constructors, architects offering your servives. Than hire some people who work for you. That way you will benefit more i think. Just a thought here.......

There is plenty of work if you are reliable/trustworthy and are good at it....but natuarally you will have to accept prices not too far away from what the Portuguese charge...you can get a bit more because English tend to want to speak English to a tradesman..and the Portuguese are pretty useless when it comes to keeping appointments etc....on the whole...but if you are much more ..then forget it...One example..in UK I paid my Gardner about £90 per day...he only weeded........here I pay £100 per Month and get 5 guys once a week for about 2 hours.per week.....they do everything and supply all materials....and work their socks off.....non stop.....I calculate they cost about 6 Euro per hour (£4)...so compete or do something else..

Ciao

Not a terribly helpful or encouraging reply to our plasterer here Guest!
and its pretty obvious youre revelling in your hire of
cheap labour'!
But your emphasise on '5 guys working their socks off' for 4 quid an hour for you makes me think this is a 'windup job' yes?
if it is..then youe succeeded and Im wound up !
Do you also apply the whip to make sure you get your moneys worth?

5 guys for 2 hours per week = 10 man hours
4 weeks in a month = 40 man hours

£100 per month for 40 man hours= £2.50 per man hour

How much do maths teachers earn?

wish you luck 'earning a crust'!

Oh yes its 4 euros per hour..( Maths not good) .Ellie I'm not revelling in cheap labor costs I'm paying what the local firm that supplies the Gardners ask for....and is the GOING rate..They give me a bill each month and I pay it....had it been six Euro I would have paid it.....So Ellie when you go to the restaurant and get a great meal for half the UK price do you insist on paying double.....because in ENGLAND this would be taking advantage,.....Ellie you really don't understand market forces and I can tell you that this attitude really gets the Portuguese a little rattled because it just winds up inflation and they themselves cannot compete in the local markets against UK prices...and Uk residents thazt buy up all the real estate at prices far beyond their abilities ...Oh Ohhhhhh...now ive really wound you up havnt I....Nothing personal.....having lived around the world ..(Im a charity worker)...I get a little niggled by the so called do gooders that havnt a clue just how the economics of this world work ..and they really mess things up.....for the local population......OOOhhhhh...here comes the onslaught.....

Having read the previous few mails......may I suggest you read all the 'Dutchi' mails recently placed....I think its an action replay and Ellie is the Star.....

I really must support the guest that states you must compete in this place and tell him....dont listen to dreamers like this Ellie Lady....I work here as an odd job man...and I am very happy to get the 'Going rate' of 6 Euros per hour.....If I dont compete why should I get employment....and for one hours work I can buy a wondeful meal...cant do that in UK...so please Mrs. Ellie..stay in UK with your Labour government ....and don't mess up our lovely Algarve with low cost (Yes ME)....by hyping up everybody to raise prices for the workers....Im a worker and the more I work the more I earn....and Im happy to compete with local Portuguese ...I feel Ive more to offer with quality.and commitment (Anybody want a good Odd Job service ???) ...not wave the Commi flag....sorry Mrs. Ellie I love to read your opinions and respect your view....but I cannot agree with you this time because people like me need work and jobs and people like you really mess things up for us......please dont do that....

there is here the min wage..so i suspect that if you are paying only 2.50 an hour this is because the gardeners are almost certainly east european who have no contract and in many case do not even get the min wage and in many cases our beloved portugese tip off the police before pay day and get them deported so they dont need to pay them at all.

if you are a charity worker then check whether your workers are indeed being paid ...and the correct sum...after all i am sure you do not want to be accused of riping off the poor and disadvantged

I put the above quote.Sorry Im new to this.
Where is "here" guest,Portugal or the UK?
and the so called charity worker ?Is it the 'M E' as in 'I' society?

Many thanks for the responses....I do understand that rates of earning differ from the UK, but it not only about that. Of course everybody likes to earn a good wage, but quality of life and your environment and surroundings are also important factors.

I guess it is like everywhere else in the world, it is initially difficult to set up on your own , but if you are skilled, reliable and competative you will suceed through reputation and hard work.

Thanks again for the responses so far.

I think you have the right attitude and will succeed....as I said earlier if you put in the time and effort et etc...and be prepared to accept so called 'Local rates'....you will be fine.....and for the 'Guests' that ask if my Gardeners are from East Europe and illegal.....No , they work for a fairly large organisation with offices in Carvoeiro and Lagos are very well known and carry out garden work for scores of residents .of all nationalities ( And one of our hotels) ..do an excellent job ...and are expanding rapidly....I pay them a set wage and they come and go as they think fit...no set hours...but thats what they put in....thus my calculation ..

By the way my Charity work is self funded...( I'm actually retired) ..and far from taking advantage .....most of the guys that work for me ..Pool...Odd Jobs etc....are personal friends now that bring all their families here at weekend to swim and Barbe..( All on me of course..) ...we have a great relationship...( You should of seen the Soccer evening ...here !!) ...I don't think thats too bad do you.......

how wonderful guest!
sounds just like the frolics we used to have round my Masters pool in old Capria!
apart fom waiting on him hand and foot we did get the odd perks!
Got to get back to me slaving now.Coming Master
Lurcio