They are "day laborers." People who hang around there hoping to find work helping with your home repairs, painting, appliance installation, landscaping, or other projects etc.
Huh, and that works? Sounds a bit… old-fashioned? I’d think people are looking for these services online or in some gig work app. Interesting. Sounds unpleasant both for workers that have to hang around on the street, and customers that are approached (at least that’s how I imagine it) by people offering services even when they don’t need it. (Or do customers approach workers themselves?) From the outside, sounds weird. I wonder what in the US caused it.
At least at the Home Depot near me, the day laborers sit near the parking lot exits on the boulevard.
I go to Home Depot more than is reasonable, and I’ve never been approached by them. You typically would need to solicit them yourself. In general I find them to be respectful and pleasant - I imagine otherwise they would get customer complaints and Home Depot would have them trespassed immediately.
From others experiences I’ve talked to, they usually form “crews” with one main “crew chief” guy who speaks English you negotiate a rate and number of workers you need, and any specific skills like concrete, framing, etc. beyond simple labor. You generally are expected to provide any tools needed to complete the job beyond what fits in a standard tool belt.
> Huh, and that works? Sounds a bit… old-fashioned? I’d think people are looking for these services online or in some gig work app.
You need to go to the home improvement store to get materials for your job anyway, you can also pick up some people to help, too.
Why fuss on an app trying to figure out who to hire, when you can head over, say 'hey, who knows how to dig a foundation' or 'who can help me hang a door' or whatever your job is. Maybe find the worker first and they can help you shop for the stuff you need.
They are mostly hired by the contractors who advertise their services online and through aps, who go to HD several times a day anyways. The final customer deals with the contractors, not with the day laborers.
Small concrete / roofing company / construction company might need some more hands for a day or two for a project.
They go in to grab materials, leave with materials and some potentially new workers. If it works out (and it often does) they may use them for other projects, too.
Source: My father in law was a carpenter for about 40 years
