Limit your exposure
Amy's advice to me more professional is good, if only she had stopped there with her advice.
Yes, that would mean, business hours only
A written and signed contract listing possible options or add-ons, and method of payment.
Most of the time when I do work for relatives and friends, it's in gift form.
But there are times when I "Limit Exposure"
That's my term.
I learned that one in church.
In life, you learn to limit your exposure.
Just because you are amazing, doesn't mean you have to give up your day job, or your time off with your family.
If a contractor chooses to give up the day job or family time to work on a "project" it should be his choice, and not the neighbor or friend.
And like hj, I don't like bartering.
It may work for others, but in my experience, it has rarely worked.
I have some "friends" that are always looking for a deal, and it's not really a deal if they have to drive to my house and do some siding or electrical work.
I have a whole list for one of my Boeing friends, Bruce Martin, if he decides that the $10,000 in trade he got is worth a trip for some of that. Right now, he's liking the $10,000 bonus he got, and his sense of "I got a screaming deal" would be tarnished if he even installed a washlet outlet for me.
He went to one of Jamie's shows in Lake Stevens, and complained at the door that there was no way he would pay a $3 dollar cover to hear his band. Heck, I've never even heard of a $3 dollar cover, it's normally $10 - $20 for cover. $3 doesn't even buy a beer.
See, I couldn't even get $3 back from this engineer.
And he's helping to design planes that we fly in. I hope they don't bean count them too cheaply there at Boeing.
I hope that's a singular experience with aircraft engineers.
Please, someone down there at Boeing tell me that the next plane is going to kick some ass!
With my contracts, I try to list everything the first time out.
I don't like change orders.
Some contractors live on change orders.
I've had plenty of times when my contract included everything that could happen for a bath remodel.
Didn't get the job, because someone beat me by a smidge.
And then I hear back from the friend, that they wound up paying more with all the change orders.
Saying that someone should match a bid that is going to later grow with change orders is insane.
Amy, that is bad advice, and should not be followed.
The friendly contractor already gave his best price to the friend and neighbor.
And he was knowledgeable to include "everything" on the bid.
It was a "peace of mind" bid; all inclusive, forget about it, it's handled bid.
What is more normal in my professional life, is for my workers to get tips after the job is done.
I didn't see that possibility mentioned.
I'm not saying that it's expected, buy many customers are tipping for good work.
So my advice to other contractors, is to limit your exposure when it comes to dicey interactions. Are you going to lose a friend over this?
I lost my hiking buddy after plumbing his house, he doesn't want to be reminded that the "screaming deal" could someday become a straight barter. Like he originally explained it.
[video=youtube;WGiu7ai8dfw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGiu7ai8dfw[/video]
Would you pay $3 to see this band?
Bruce Martin wouldn't.