Workers Comp is based on your payroll amount. Each trade has it's own rate.
It's more specific (and more complicated) than that! There are sub-divisions, depending upon what the worker actually does. An "electrician" working on high-voltage gets a different rate than one working on low-voltage. Spend some time with a good insurance agent or broker and get your guys properly classified.
Why have someone else do payroll at all?
Alot of payroll companies are also employee leasing companies, which offer employee benefits, reduced comp, tax services, HR services, OSHA compliance and many other benefits. I have been using Southeast Leasing for years with no complaints and save thousands of dollars per year and have NO HR headaches since I started using them. Best business decision I have ever made.
Payroll companies can only save you money on Work Comp if you choose to do employee leasing. Basically on paper you and all of your employees become employees of the leasing company and get their work comp rates.
If you've had a lot of claims and your rates are high, this might be a good solution, however the fees they charge may offset the savings.
We did employee leasing for a while, but for us, doing it in-house using Quickbooks makes much more sense.
Alot of payroll companies are also employee leasing companies, which offer employee benefits, reduced comp, tax services, HR services, OSHA compliance and many other benefits. I have been using Southeast Leasing for years with no complaints and save thousands of dollars per year and have NO HR headaches since I started using them. Best business decision I have ever made.
Some states do not permit licensed electrical contractors to use employee leasing, the employee must be employed and under the direct supervision of the contractor, there are stiff fines in my state violation of this law.