DON'T work for family.

[MARK.B.]

Given my time over, I would refuse all but my parents and kids which I would do FOC

Bob

Always tried to help my parents if i could (or would arrange for the job to be done if i could not) ,will also try to help the kids (all grown up allegedly) but sometimes they just try to extract the urine and i have to say no which in turn often leads to problems with swimbo.My labour has always been free for family but i get just a tad peeved when expected to pay for materials as well, not being a tradesman i dont have surplus materials etc and so all things used on a free job have to be purschased and i just dont have enough cash to maintain and repair 3 houses plus my own.

 

[MARK.B.]

I refuse to work for my wife.....

I tried that once #-o and trust me it did not end well

 

[Graham Orm]

Given my time over, I would refuse all but my parents and kids which I would do FOC

Bob

Always tried to help my parents if i could (or would arrange for the job to be done if i could not) ,will also try to help the kids (all grown up allegedly) but sometimes they just try to extract the urine and i have to say no which in turn often leads to problems with swimbo.My labour has always been free for family but i get just a tad peeved when expected to pay for materials as well, not being a tradesman i dont have surplus materials etc and so all things used on a free job have to be purschased and i just dont have enough cash to maintain and repair 3 houses plus my own.

Lol I believe it gets easier when they get to 40 ](*,)

 

[dexter]

Within the first couple of weeks of starting as an apprentice joiner back in 1973 I was told by the `old sweats` that were training me, `Never do foreigners for family or friends because they`ll expect it done for free` and every now and again that advice comes back to haunt me!

Dex

 

[Racers]

I could tell you a tale or a relative a kitchen, postdated cheques and a closed bank account.
But it still makes me mad.

Pete

 

[whiskywill]

When I do that, I rapidly find myself on a diet as I have to cook my own dinner

My wife is not allowed to cook. It's my kitchen and she knows it.

 

[doctor Bob]

My wife is not allowed to cook. It's my kitchen and she knows it.

My wife shouldn't be allowed to cook ....... honestly she did oxtail a while ago because she remembers her Nan doing it and it was wondeful, my god it would have been easier to have eaten 6 squash balls.

 

[sawdust1]

My wife doesn't bother asking when anything needs doing as it never gets done, she says but so and so's jobs get done my reply is they are paying me to do them its my job, thats when it all kicks off, you know well i cook your bloody dinner, wash your cloths etc etc etc, what do you do for me!!!! If any customers asks for a cheaper rate i just say yes of course once my electricity, insurance, diesel, tax etc etc are reduced, until then NO.

 

[Lons]

If any customers asks for a cheaper rate i just say yes of course once my electricity, insurance, diesel, tax etc etc are reduced, until then NO.

I give what I feel is a fair price and never reduce my quote unless it's an estimate that includes expected problems which then don't materialise e.g underground works which can't be forseen or the job is significantly changed. Changes however usually mean they add on work not reduce it in which case the price goes up accordingly.

IMO, if you give discounts, you have to do it all the time as it becomes expected, especially with repeat customers and that would mean artificially loading your initial quote / estimate in some cases which could be counterproductive when compared with the competition.
I'd rather walk away from a job than do it knowing I'm struggling to make a profit, that's when corners get cut and anyway, I can work for free at home - or play golf

If I'm asked for discount, I tell them exactly the reasons above and I haven't yet found anyone who didn't understand and often appreciate the honesty. (makes them think carefully about competitor quotes as well :wink: )

Bob

 

[DTTech]

Sometimes saying 'No' is hard - I know it shouldnt be but it is.

Because I have a van mates seem to think its ok to ask me to haul stuff around. When i say its a camper not a van they dont seem to be pt off as its still bigger than the boot of their car.

Agreeing a price before is usually a good bet. I helped my wifes friend out by cleaning her gutters out (they were really bad) and her nieghbour asked (via the friend) if I could do hers whilst i'm up there and she would pay me. Her flat spanned the access to the car park, it was on a slope that ran the legth of the flat, and by the time I had worked my way to the end, my ladder was on its last click, I was stood right at the top (second step), I was covered in dirty water from the soggy moss -and was papping my pants. Several neighbours were asking me to do theirs as they would be too scared to climb a ladder so high.
I got a fiver ! I never did see the woman!

I still cant say no sometimes though !!

 

[Graham Orm]

Sometimes saying 'No' is hard - I know it shouldnt be but it is.

Because I have a van mates seem to think its ok to ask me to haul stuff around. When i say its a camper not a van they dont seem to be pt off as its still bigger than the boot of their car.

Agreeing a price before is usually a good bet. I helped my wifes friend out by cleaning her gutters out (they were really bad) and her nieghbour asked (via the friend) if I could do hers whilst i'm up there and she would pay me. Her flat spanned the access to the car park, it was on a slope that ran the legth of the flat, and by the time I had worked my way to the end, my ladder was on its last click, I was stood right at the top (second step), I was covered in dirty water from the soggy moss -and was papping my pants. Several neighbours were asking me to do theirs as they would be too scared to climb a ladder so high.
I got a fiver ! I never did see the woman!

I still cant say no sometimes though !!

I don't need to say you were wrong to do that.......do I? :lol: Nutter!

 

[DTTech]

I don't need to say you were wrong to do that.......do I? :lol: Nutter!

some would say 'living in the edge' :wink:

 

[Lons]

Because I have a van mates seem to think its ok to ask me to haul stuff around

That surely must happen to everyone who owns a van - I just say NO

Other thing is customers who say "will you fit a new door / radiator / cupboard" - whatever and then say "I've seen what I want in B&Q at a good price, will you collect it before fitting?" .......40 mile round trip....I DON'T THINK SO :roll:

Some people just take the p*ss. I have a so called "mate" who I never hear from until he wants a favour then it's "can you call round for a coffee, I need some advice" but it's never just advice and I'm only now starting to say I'm too busy.


Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Bob