fired a helper today after he botched a PEX install, anyone else burned by bad hires?

Man, I just had to let go of this new guy who couldn't even crimp a PEX-A fitting without kinking the line every time. We were rerouting supply lines in a basement reno, and he straight up used the wrong expander tool, caused two leaks before lunch. I've been running solo for years but thought adding help would let me take more jobs, but now I'm second guessing it. Saw a thread on r/Plumbing about hiring apprentices, and it sounded easier than this crap. Guy in Plumbers United group swore by background checks, but this dude came recommended. Watching those Roger Wakefield videos helped me fix his mess, but damn, what a waste of time. Scheduling around unreliable help is killing my workflow. FML.

Haha, sounds like my first hire who thought SharkBites were magic and glued them instead.

Start with a 30 day probation period and daily check-ins on tools like the Milwaukee crimper.

Don't hire family or friends, ever.

Train them on one task at a time, like just prepping copper lines first.

We all get burned, but document everything for unemployment claims.

Fire fast if they can't handle basic venting codes.

Use a skills test on day one, like installing a simple flange.

Hire from trade schools, they at least know DFU basics.

This industry chews up bad hires quick, insurance hates it too.

Yeah, I feel your pain on the scheduling headaches.

Insurance companies are the real villains here, jacking rates over nothing.

Same boat, my last guy vanished mid-job on a sewer line.

Document every screw up with photos before firing.

I finally got a solid crew after 5 tries, worth the wait.

Never trust verbal recommendations alone.

Lost a whole week rescheduling after firing a no-show.

These young bucks think TikTok makes them pros.

Man, that apprentice life is rough when the boss is pissed.

Hate seeing good jobs go south over dumb mistakes.

Insurance BS is killing small ops like ours.

Fired two this year, both couldn't solder worth a damn.

Try partnering with a union hall for vetted guys.

I know that feeling, solo again after a bad one.

Homeowners blame us for the helper's crap, every time.

Yeah, rescheduling eats profits fast.

The whole hiring pool is trash right now.

Fired a guy for showing up hungover, wrecked a Ridgid auger.

Solid advice, always have a backup plan for installs.

SharkBites saved my ass on that rushed job.

Lol, my helper once plumbed hot to cold, client was furious.

Check their work ethic with a simple task list.

Yeah, been there with the PEX nightmares.

Hiring is the worst part of this gig.

Dude ghosted me after I bought him tools.

Haha, the comedy of errors in plumbing hires.

PE vultures scooping up talent we need.

Fired one for ignoring backflow preventers.

I turned it around with strict onboarding.

Man, solo plumbing sounds peaceful sometimes.

Lol, my bad hire flushed his own wrench down the drain.

Finally built a team that sticks around.

Haha, worst hire story wins a beer.