re: Why did we turn over new home construction to immigrant labor?

My current home was built in the late 80s. It was built well enough to withstand its share of storms.

But the labor was clearly cheap. Nails were used to secure all drywall, instead of screws. The seems were poorly taped and mudded. There are a couple of faux beams with 3 flat pieces “secured” into the top of ceiling creases. They were secured with finishing nails instead of wood screws.

There’s no sign of craftsmanship, or even good contracting, unless doing it cheap and fast is the definition of being a good contractor.

But I do have a good drywall guy now. I don’t know his immigration status and don’t want to know. For the most recent project , a contractor bid almost $7,000 to pull and dispose of drywall that needed to be replaced, install new drywall, texture it, and paint it.

My guy who speaks English well enough as a 2nd language is doing it for $1500, and there’s no doubt in my mind that my guy is doing a better job. He’s a friggin wizard.