working for friends

[capt_met]

rtdigger, that is a good idea on getting them to get estimates from others first. may have to start using that one.
for me it depends on how busy i am. it seems the more i am out and the machine wirking the more jobs i get. when i slow down i don't mind helping out a friend for free.. especially if they live in a high vis area. lol. in the neighborhood i give a reduced rate and don't charge a minimum. if i can run down the street pop a couple stumps and be back home at my conveniance its no problem and i think keeps me on folks mind more.
good luck,

 

[Rara Avis]

i do custom commerical tractor work .. does anyone else do this and if so how do you charge your friends ?? i have done alot of work the last 2 yrs for some friends...they paid me what they thought it was worth ,,,hahaha,,but i let it slide ,,which i should never should have done the last few weeks i put in over 40hrs at there house tore down a old house burned it then covered it with top soil,,,the first day i had 3 flats,,,, when i was finished they ask how much it cost for fuel and to fix the flats...i told them 137.00 they gave me a check for 150.00....they said i know it is worth a little more than that but we will give you more latter...when they offered more money i gave them a bill for the full price i would charge anyone i subtracted the 150.00 and then cut that in half ,,i thought that was fair,,,now it really made them mad,,,,how would you deal with this ?? thanks for leting me ramble on,,,,,bruce

Your mistake was NOT telling them the real costs up-front with a proper estimate...
Then, they could have rejected or accepted you as the worker without any misconceptions...

 

[Farmwithjunk]

In the rare cases where I've worked for a friend or relative, it's either a free-bee or they pay full price. And for the record, I don't do much for free. No "reduced rates".

No matter what the charge (or no charge), my risk is the same. The operating cost per hour is the same. I'm sure my insurance company wouldn't differentiate between regular jobs and "cheap price for a friend" should there be the need to file a claim.

 

[Red55]

Ever notice your "BEST" friends always call when they need you? I am kinda slow with noticing that until the wife pointed it out. And when you need them they're busy? I've just stop answering I hate to saying no to anyone

Been roped into a few friends jobs with my brother and the best ones were where they had gotten a few estimates. When your a friend and are the first to give a price you're the bad guy.

Ever notice that your friends have no problem giving a stranger top dollar for sometimes questionable work but think you should work for $5 an hour with a lifetime warranty? -Ed

 

[MrJimi]

Some of my friends have streets named after them
ONE WAY
DEAD END

Jim

 

[Egon]

An age old corundum. There is no specific answer that keeps all happy.

Do what you gota do when you gota do it. It may not be easy the first time but practice makes it easier.

 

[chh]

You've got a real sticky situation there. I have done jobs for relatives and friends. It pays to be picky about who you have time to do work for. Generally it's much better to have an understanding up front or be willing to do it for free. I have a friends/neighbors and a family member that lives close to me that will always one way or another repay me what a job is worth. I wouldn't give my relatives a bill the last time I helped them. They suprised my by having my 500 gallon fuel tank filled the next time it was empty. They knew how much the job would have cost and ended up paying me right at my going rate.
On the other end of that I have another neighbor that would let you work full time for him and think nothing of it. He is always going to pay you back in kind. Doesn't ever get time though, so I don't have time for him anymore.

 

[john_bud]

Simply tell them that the amount you charged is what your costs are for running the tractor for that amount of time. Fuel, depreciation, insurance, maintenance, etc. If they are still upset, tell them fine - cancel the bill AFTER they come you your place and perform 40 hours of manual labor.

Some people don't know paper plates from the good china...

jb

 

[ToadHill]

My neighbor asked me one day if I could help him with his tractor. It was an old Massey and hadn't had any work done on it since it was new. I rebuilt the engine for him and when he asked me what he owed I told him he was a good friend and I wouldn't take anything from him.

About 8 years later I got my 8N stuck and asked him if I could borrow his Massey to pull it out. He tossed me the key and said he'd given up farming (he was 83) and told me to park it in my barn when I was done, if he ever needed it again for something he'd know where to find it.

His parting shot was "you fixed it and wouldn't let me pay you so as far as I'm concerned it's yours".

 

[KennethBrown]

For me it mainly depends if I'm helping them or if I'm doing a job. If their down in the dirt with me then its a gimme. I won't charge anything but will accept lunch and drinks and a can or two of fuel. If there sitting in the house and I'm slaving away they better be ready for a bill.