Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Mar 07, 1999 10:59am | #1

   *
   ben,

   Do retail and do free....nothing in between.

1. 
   Guest_ | Mar 07, 1999 11:01am | #2

   *Ask yourself...is this a job or could this be a favor I would lide to give and will expect nothing in return forever.

1. 
   Guest_ | Mar 07, 1999 11:15am | #3

   *If it's your Mom or Dad, do it for free (cost of materials) -- if it's a weekend job. if it's another close relative consider their financial position. You have a little flexability in your pricing as you can cut out profit when working for family. But Hell, if they're financially well off and don't really need a break then they should be happy that they're going to get top notch service from a contractor they trust (and won't split town before the sh*t hits the fan).Mostly though what they gain by you doing the work is trust.Drawing blueprints for my Sister free of charge as we speak,Dan Morrison

1. 
   Guest_ | Mar 07, 1999 04:02pm | #4

   *All work must be done at full price or for no charge.Never,ever,ever,EVER vary from this.I could rant for a week on this topic.Basicly this policy will save you from deciding who is a friend,who is a relative,who is a neighbor and what level of discount each merits,not to mention the UNBELIEVABLE grief that will be heaped on you when everyone starts comparing their discount.You can be a nice guy without letting yourself be nailed up on a cross. Good Luck, Stephen

1. 
   Guest_ | Mar 08, 1999 09:04am | #5

   *I moved to far away. End of problem

2. 
   Guest_ | Mar 09, 1999 04:06am | #6

   *I used to refuse to do things for relatives, except ma. Then I decided to do for all at a 10% courtesy discount. Hell, every customer on earth trys to beat me up for that 10%!Now, since I only frame new work, it's not an issue.Set up whatever you feel good about. Don't cheat yourself, your wife, or your kids, and always price it fair so you can offer the same professional service that you offer strangers!Blue

3. 
   Guest_ | Mar 09, 1999 08:32am | #7

   *I use to do family at cost plus 10%. After doing one for my sister inlaw I run like hell in the other direction when a familty member asks. If I do one for family now it's free(my tools and labor only) or it's with a contract.On the sister in law job she wanted a "little" shed outback of her house that turned out to be the mother of all sheds. It's now a 10x12 full 8'wall 7/12 with small loft. Finished in vinyl to match house with soffit and vent. Two windows one half light door. Finished inside(1/4 launon plywood) Price paided to me $800 same price she got from a shed builder for a 6'x6' T-111 with 4' walls and plywood door. On top of this she gave away two cases of gun nails that she thought was hers to her father(my father in law) who sold them for $5 per box at a yard saleb now honey don't be upset........

2. 
   brisketbean_ | Mar 10, 1999 07:28am | #8

   *
   Ben;
   Do the work for free for your mother or grandmother if your able to. For all others charge
   enough extra to discourage them from taking advantage of your services, and give no recomendations on alternate contractors, it will come back to haunt you, I have been there and done that, I will give verbal instructions on how to do something to only one of my 10 brother in laws, and avoid the subject with the rest.

   Mat 13; 57

3. 
   Guest_ | Mar 10, 1999 09:41am | #9

   *
   I have done projects for different family members. One common thread: they wanted to know why they weren't getting the "family deal". They had to pay for all materials and my labor costs, just like everyone else.

   But when I explained they were getting the top-o-the-line treatment they then understood they were getting a "deal". For example, I spent 2.5 months tiling my sister-in-law's house; for someone else it should have taken only 6 weeks.

   I seriously dread the thought that a construction relationship should taint the familial relationships. Therefore, while I don't shy away from these projects, I do every little, itsey, bitsey thing to make darn sure everybody is quite happy, happy, happy. Afterall, the burden is on you, buddy 'ol boy.

1. 
   Guest_ | Mar 10, 1999 07:08pm | #10

   *Rich, my problem is that I am either very selfish or very lazy.I don't love any of my relatives enough to spend 2 1/2 months doing a 6 week job.In fact I don't even put that kind of effort into my own house.The biggest fringe benefit in my business is the ability to choose the jobs I want to do and do them when I want to do them.This gives me more "free time" than most of my relatives,which I prefer to "spend" on myself or with my wife and children.Friends ,relatives,and neighbors seem to think I should GIVE this time to them for free by working on their houses at no charge.(could you do me this little favor,Stephen?)Funny how it never occurs to these same people to give me any of THEIR fringe benefits.(how about a piece of your vacation pay 'sis' or some of your company funded retirement,pal, or a trip to the doctor on your company paid hospitalization)I don't really mind the occasional 1 hour freebie here and there, but there is no reciprocity. The gravy train only goes one way here 'cause none of these people have any usefull skills for me to glom on to.(hell,I would ask for a pie or something but I am a better cook than most of them) Charging Full Price And Paying My Own Way,Stephen.

1. 
   Guest_ | Mar 11, 1999 05:50pm | #11

   *Ah, yes, the mother of all sheds... my (ex) girlfriend could only afford a mud room so she got a 20x20 addition with 14' high cathedral ceilings for the same price. Cost me about $5000 directly out of pocket, not to mention at least 100 hours of free labour. Remember that other people don't have a handle on what things should cost, like we do, and unless you make it clear from the start they'll honestly believe you're still making a bundle, no matter what you charge. One price fits all from now on for me, no discounts. Thanks for letting me vent :-)

1. 
   Guest_ | Mar 11, 1999 11:14pm | #12

   *Bill that is the funniest story! I like the 5 buck per box detail, very fitting!You didn't mention: osb or ply? 1/2" or 5/8"? clips? etc.?By the way, I need a shed...Blue

4. 
   Ben_Hoffschneider | Mar 11, 1999 11:16pm | #13

   *
   I am curious how other contractors handle working for close relatives and employees. Do you offer a discount? To avoid conflict, I am trying to develop a policy. I would like to offer some sort of discount, but I also must consider what is healthy for my company. I have considered a policy of no relatives as customers, but I feel that would be cold and ungrateful. Thanks in advance! Ben H.