free jobs for friends and family

[davey1082]

Hi guys,

Im looking for some advice

It always seems that family members or friends or friends family members always have jobs that need doing and always call me, the problem is I always feel bad about charging them especially family and close friends when most of the jobs are very small,

does anyone else have the same problems and if so can you give me some advice on how to avoid these jobs, without being rude, I always say im too busy but sometimes they say theyll wait and pretty much expect me to do them whenever im free

cheers

 

[GreenArmy]

Always an awkward one this. Obviously if its my mum there will be no charge (she's done enough things for me) although she's the one who always insists on paying. Friends have to pay (and if they are proper friends they wont mind), i always let them know that they are getting the job done at mates rates and at the end of the day ive got to feed my family and pay the bills. Be stronger with family and friends and charge them unless they can supply a service to you free of charge.
Next time a family member asks you to do a plumbing job you could say (once you've seen the job), yeah no problem, i can do that and seeing as your family i'll do it £20 an hour (or what ever your happy with) and see how they re-act.
Dont get me wrong, im the first to help out friends and family in a crisis, but if its all the time these people are wanting work done then you have to charge.

 

[kirkgas]

Hi guys,

Im looking for some advice

It always seems that family members or friends or friends family members always have jobs that need doing and always call me, the problem is I always feel bad about charging them especially family and close friends when most of the jobs are very small,

does anyone else have the same problems and if so can you give me some advice on how to avoid these jobs, without being rude, I always say im too busy but sometimes they say theyll wait and pretty much expect me to do them whenever im free

cheers

it is difficult when you get cornered by someone to do a job, it is best to be up front and say you just dont see when you will be able to fit it in as you are so busy, if they insist and say they can wait, then make a joke about them having to wait until next year before you can fit it in, then tell them you will contact them when you are free, if they contact you again about it to chase you up say you thought the arrangement was that you were going to contact them when you were free, if they take the hint they will get (and pay) someone else, if they dig in to get a freebie you simply have to keep telling them you still dont have any free time, it really depends who it is, as a tradesman you always get contacted by people who need you now so it is difficult to knock them back but if you think about it not being fair to them take a minute and say to yourself that these people are not being fair to you so it is easier to bin them, over the years less and less people ask me because i dont do homers, if someone is desperate i usually go round and make something safe for them but make it clear there is no way i can do the follow up work so they get someone else

 

[dontknowitall]

I visited my mum recently and diagnosed a problem. She paid me £100 AND gave me lunch and I never asked.

Tricky one though, but if it was me I'd ask if they'd be happy to pay me. I'd tell them my normal rate and suggest a price I'd charge them. If family and far away, I'd ask if it was okay to ask for £30 (or whatever) for petrol.

I'd bet that if you never made an arrangement, did the job then asked for some money they'd pay you without questioning and with no hard feelings.

Remember they're quite possibly asking you because they can trust you in their house and don't want to try some local person from Yellow Pages.

 

[justlead1]

Hi Just say i would love to do it for you but i will be loosing £30 per hour working for clients. If you do not mind paying £20 cash i am your man. Good Luck

 

[REDSAW]

Hi Just say i would love to do it for you but i will be loosing £30 per hour working for clients. If you do not mind paying £20 cash i am your man. Good Luck

exactly,
i charge my mum £1-£10 for any day family less 30% and get them to tidy up ets.plus **** and food.😀

 

[GreenArmy]

Good shout Reds, a couple pouches of baccy dont go a miss.

 

[Puddle]

When I was younger

On larger jobs for friends or family ,ask them to get a few quotes and will match lowest

smaller jobs ,I explain ,this is what I do for a living ,so have to charge a fair price,maybe drop 1/2 hr here and there,if they are friends they will appreciate this
remember if gas work and reg through company you should not do anyway ,so you can use that to get out of
Have not heard of friends or family falling out over being charged,usually it is because work was rushed and not done properly(due to the fact the plumber did not want to charge the friend,family member)
Do not think ,I will do is and they can do something for me,will not happen,if you need something off them,later on pay at the time
We are plumbers and will be required to do things,what is your mate ,the postman and cousin the telephone salesman going to do for you

Do not say you are busy and give work to others unless you are or do not need work,why give work away,again will upset others more by saying busy than charging
Also if you really can not get around to charging family,use older members,if aunty Wildameaner rings for a bathroom swop,give price through parents,let them break the ice of price

Now I am older of course,spent wasted time doing for others and getting nothing back when requested favor
If family or friends ring about work required,just give them the price,take it or leave it,will wait for money if they are a bit strapped,as said most ring because want job doing right,not because want free

After saying above have had some great nights,nipping round to a friends,spending 10 mins repairing tap,then sitting down ,having nice meal and few bears 🙂

 

[raymondo68]

My best friend (my best man infact) approached me about a considerable amount of work (boiler, bathroom radiators etc). Instead of quoting for the work I offered to help hime when reviewing the quotes to ensure that he got a competitive price and properly qualified fitter.

For smaller jobs I tell people that I do not do work for friends but refer them to another plumber who is a friend of mine.
For family - well that depends on your family. With all customers/clients it is always sensible to have price/working arrangements agreed upfront.

Hope this helps

Cheers

Ray

 

[davey1082]

Hi guys

thanks for all the replies, some good advice there

will take it on board

thanks

 

[tackleburger]

I try and avoid it too much grief. You quote too cheap lose out as they never work out straight forward and you end up out of pocket which is no good. I do small jobs such as tap washers etc. If it is say a boiler change I quote my standard rate VAT the lot and say that is the price that's what I need to do a pucker job for you. I won't be offended in anyway whatsoever if you get someone else but trust my advice on what you require etc. I also tell them what boilers to avoid and the known rough plumbers in the area.

Works every time no hard feelings on either side, straight up front everyone knows where they stand and you get the right amount and do a great job in return.

 

[moony]

lif its a quick job there a hour ten or twenty plus parts, depending on how close, even me mum and sis get charged something!

if its a big job i tell them to get a couple of qoutes, and i'll see how much i can do it for...

if its a straight bathroom change and re-tiled and a competitor comes in at 1300 i'll undercut by a hundred or 2. but if theyve been given a silly price of say 600-700 then i'll tell them theyve had a good deal - more often than not they'll ask me my price - i'll give it them and they'll go with me.