WWYD? --216.182.xxx.xxx

I’d pay the man in cash if he does good work. --71.63.xx.xx

The plus side is the job is going to cost less then negative side is can not write off work on taxes. In jurisdictions like in the Scandinavia countries as taxes are really high is a dentist and plumber exchange services where no money changes hands. In the house it does not matter as can not write anything off. Here it is cash under table where people are paid under the table. Make sure a scaffold is used along with all the equipment is safe. It is not advisable that work like this is done with a ladder. While expensive but faster is to rent a skyjack. --207.236.xxx.xxx

The keyword here is big. I feel he can't complete it in good time due to physical issues and you will just be waiting on him to finish. I think you should find the guy with the skyjack, as Robert mentioned and he won't be in Amish Mennonite country for sure. --173.61.xxx.xxx

Would that put you under the requirements? --73.190.xxx.xxx

Maybe even write the first check using his first name, the second check his middle name, a third check to his wife, ect... --73.190.xxx.xxx

Finally, keep in mind that this job seems like a cap improv that you will have to depreciate over many years, as opposed to a repair that you can deduct all at once. That makes the tax deduction a lot less valuable. --73.141.xxx.xxx

This guy actually DOES own a lift/skyjack. --216.182.xxx.xxx

Don, yes I will most likely be depreciating this. Haven't yet got into cost seg. --216.182.xxx.xxx

If you are paying cash with no 1099, then how are you showing it as a capital improvement and depreciating? If you pash cash, wouldn’t you pay cash yourself and it wouldn’t exist on your books? --184.167.xxx.xx

How many dollars are involved? --68.1.xxx.xx

I like the idea of working the numbers both ways.... tax savings by declaring it vs total savings by just going out of pocket. --107.147.xx.xx

don, your right. For some reason I forgot about the whole cash part and went to thinking about the 1099 requirements. --73.190.xxx.xxx

I rented a Skyjack for two days where had to get a certificate from government where was good for only three years. I should have a instruction manual where it took the first day to work the Skyjack where fixed all the balconies and welding railings. A Skyjack here is expensive where $50,000 to $60,000 to buy along with hydrylic houses have to changed where are under very high pressure. One has to be really careful when using a Skyjack. The main advantage with Skyjack is no scaffolds require which take time to assemble then move. That should be a one or two day job. --207.236.xxx.xxx

From experience - five figures --24.101.xxx.xxx

Is he insured? --35.132.xxx.xxx

Mapleleaf, if you go with the cash guy, then you cannot depreciate it because you have no documentation of it. You have to treat it like it never happened. That is the essence of a cash job. --73.141.xxx.xxx