Hello to Festus.
Don't take this the wrong way but it sounds like you jumping in the deep water quickly.
If you don't have much work lined up I can't see taking on another person yet. It is great to have the best emploiees but you also need to pay top dollar.
As far as your rates you should refigure your costs and adjust your charges. Don't forget insurance, benifits, etc. It could be possable that the $50-75 your getting from the home center will not cover your costs with a new JW. Remember it is totally different if 2 JW bill 8 hours each at $75 ($1200) or 4 hours at the same ($300) in a day.
Are you allowed to do work in the field as a union owner?
If contractors don't pay a good wage in your area do they charge low also? Some areas may be hard to make a good living no matter where your at in the food chain.
I don't know what your background is but you may find better paying jobs doing non residential.
It's hard to find good help in many places. You may ask yourself what you have to make good people want to work for you. Also how to keep them with you and happy. Money and benifits is one factor. Working conditions, attitude, organization, and providing what they need to get the job done are also a big factor.
Best of luck.
Tom
