How much to pay a neighbor for electrical help

[MossRoad]

$200 a day is $52,000 per year.

That's a pretty good income for a retired guy that offered to help as a friend. And you were helping him, and learning something, too.

I'd give him $200 and maybe a $50 gift card to a local restaurant.

I know I'm always happy to be offered $20 for an hour's worth of work for a friend or relative. I always turn it down, but am happy when they offer.

When I do computer repair work for family and friends, I charge by the six pack of root beer. One hour, one six pack. Two hours, a 12. Half a day, that's a case. :drink:

 

[LouNY]

1099's arent required.

You report the payment, he reports the income.

Sending him a 1099 is just a courtesy

Or don't even think of reporting it, the less the thieving bureaucrats know the better off everyone is, **** :hissyfit:

 

[Alan W.]

$200 a day is $52,000 per year.

That's a pretty good income for a retired guy that offered to help as a friend. And you were helping him, and learning something, too.

I'd give him $200 and maybe a $50 gift card to a local restaurant.

I know I'm always happy to be offered $20 for an hour's worth of work for a friend or relative. I always turn it down, but am happy when they offer.

When I do computer repair work for family and friends, I charge by the six pack of root beer. One hour, one six pack. Two hours, a 12. Half a day, that's a case. :drink:

What brand? Ive got hooked on a Birch Beer the Amish sell.

 

[MossRoad]

Or don't even think of reporting it, the less the thieving bureaucrats know the better off everyone is, **** :hissyfit:

Yeah, none of us should pay any taxes ever.....

 

[MossRoad]

What brand? Ive got hooked on a Birch Beer the Amish sell.

I like any root beer. But when I'm getting "paid", I like IBC. :licking:

Makes good root beer floats, too. :drink:

 

[MossRoad]

As for this discussion, it's always interesting to hear what others consider a fair and good wage for a job. I've heard several stories on TBN over the years where people tell of not being able to make it on X amount of income and financial situations, etc.... I guess it's all about perspective in what "making it" means, what level of comfort some people are accustomed to VS what some people view as necessity, and, of course, the hands that life deals you (illness, employment, children, parents, etc...) and how each of us are able to deal with those hands when they are dealt. To borrow from the Boy Scouts, knock on wood if you're physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.

 

[CobyRupert]

Electrical work goes for $100+ per hour around here too.

But that is overhead, lots of parts stocked, service van, insurance, legitimate business....
And employees of said business, actually doing the ground work...Maybe $30/hr

^This.
:thumbsup:
As LD1 also hinted at, at $100/hr your not just buying services or labor, but also paying to transfer liability.

Is that what you want to pay your neighbor for, and does he agree to accept it?

 

[Gary Fowler]

Lots of advice about paying the going rate for electrical work. If you want to pay that, the find a contractor that will give you liability for his work. He is going to be paying for insurance, taxes, employee SS and unemployment insurance from that $100 per hour so net he may get $50.
I would think $50 per hour would be generous for the neighbors help if all he furnished was himself, some knowledge and a screwdriver.

Personally, I help my neighbors and never expect payment. Sometimes I get a thankyou. I would never expect cash for any work I do for my neighbors who are all retired like me. When I work for a neighbor, I do so just to have something to do. I mow yards (sometimes just because they need mowing), trim trees when asked, dig holes with my backhoe, till gardens when asked and any other tasks that a rather elderly neighbor needs done. I don't expect payment and they don't expect to pay.

As has been said, price should have been fixed in advance for at least an hourly rate for the work if payment was expected. In lieu of that agreement, one or both parties will be disappointed regardless of the outcome.

 

[atsah]

x2

Which is why I am having a hard time understanding why some are suggesting $500-$600

Whatever "company" this guy worked for and retired from....if he was just an employee.....and did the SAME job for you.....sure it would have costed you more because you were hiring a licensed "pro" and would have assurances, covered by insurance, etc. But the guy showing up to do that job wouldnt have made anywhere close to $500-$600

I suggested $500 cash because that is what the job would be worth to me, that's all.. If he hired an electric company to come in and do the job he would have had to pay a lot more than that..

If he hands the guy $500 and he takes the whole $500 and says thank you, he has paid the man and still has a good neighbor that doesn't think he is cheap, if he hands some of the money back he will be just as happy of a neighbor. The $500 cash is good either way and the OP got the job done cheap no matter which way you look at it..

 

[hawkeye08]

I've never offered to help someone and expect payment later. If I expect payment, they know upfront. When we put in propane, an acquaintance offered to do it (with me helping him). He told me what to purchase and to rent a pipe threader. When we got done, he asked for payment, including overtime rates because it was a Saturday. I paid him but a few weeks later when he wanted more free help on his computer, I told him my rates were comparable to his. He never asked me for help again. It turns out he treated others the same as soon found he had no free help for what he needed. He thought he should charge for his help, but get free help from everyone else..