Centreville Labor Resource Center

Great. This service is a real bargain. Many of the workers have no car, so you pick them up and return them, but the hourly rate is absolutely unbeatable. They are like day laborers, but they have been screened and are well known to the Resource Center.

Very well. Hard work done inexpensively.

Excellently. $15/hour for unskilled labor. The guy they provided worked constantly, and was pleasant and honest and as respectful as if he were former military. I could not be more enthusiastic about Centreville Labor Resource Center. They are a non-profit service with the goal of putting together people who need work with others who need work done. They have skilled and unskilled labor. Some of their workers are day laborers, but they are vetted by and experienced with the organization, so you know you are getting reliable people. Most of them do not have cars so you have to pick them up at the center and then return them. But that is a small inconvenience for getting reliable labor for $15 an hour. I think this is a gold mine, and will definitely use them again. And because they are non-profit, and because all the money you pay goes to the workers and nothing to the center, you are ethically free to get the contact information of the people who worked for you and call them directly the next time if you get someone who was especially good, as I did. I imagine that skilled labor is more expensive, but I am sure is quite reasonable.

Both men worked very hard and seemed to be appreciative for having the work. It was a little hard to communicate, but we got through it.

This is the fourth time we've used the services of the Labor Center for yard work. The men have all done an excellent job--I've never seen such hard workers! After witnessing the quality of work performed, now several of my neighbors use them as well. The first time I called, I needed someone to do extensive weeding in multiple flower beds plus a lot of edging. I'd received an estimate earlier that week from two "drive-by" contractors of $1,200 for what they claimed would be a two-day job. Since a friend had already used the Labor Center, I decided to give them a try instead. I'm so glad I did! Chavez and Jose worked steadily throughout the hot, humid day, barely taking any time to rest, and completed the entire job in eight hours. I kept them supplied with cold water and bought them lunch, the only break they took all day. Jose did the best manual edging work I've ever seen, completing the entire front and back yards and all the flower beds in less than three hours. Chavez has done gardening work before and was very attentive when we walked around the beds, making sure he understood exactly what needed to be done. We ended up bringing them back a second day to do mulching, and have had them back twice since then. The way it works: I called the Labor Center and told them I needed two men, described the work, then picked them up on the arranged day. (I believe you can also go there on the same day and request workers, if any are available. ) The pay rate is agreed upon between worker and customer, the total to be paid in cash directly to the worker upon completion. I speak a little Spanish, so was able to do this myself, plus some of the workers speak/understand some English. However, if help is needed, the bilingual director of the Center will perform any translations necessary as well as answer any questions you might have. My neighbors, who are not bilingual, had no difficulties. Many of the workers understand English better than they speak it. You will most likely have to pick up the workers, as most of them do not have their own vehicles. For the yard work and mulching, we paid $15.00 an hour to each worker. I always buy them lunch (usually they request fast food or Chinese or subs--one time I made them sandwiches and fruit.) We also give them a generous tip, because they work so hard. At the end of the day, I drive them back either to the Center or to their home. A friend of mine used their services for packing up their house prior to a move. Three other neighbors continue to use them for yard work, but I understand there are skilled laborers available as well. We have been very pleased with the quality of work provided by members of the Centreville Labor Resource Center and will continue to use them in the future.