How Do I Get Out Of This Situation?

john elliott

OK, things are quiet for me at the moment. My wife and her employer are chatting and this fact comes up in the conversation. The employer is planning to have some bedroom built-ins redone, and so, in order to put some work my way, I've been invited to go there tomorrow and give her a quote.

Now I've always steered clear of bedroom stuff partly because I have no experience of it, but mainly because the pricing is all wrong. I can ask lots more for kitchens than I can for bedrooms.

My fear is that if I ask what seems a reasonable amount to me will be seen as profiteering by DW's employer. She might still pay it, and she might not even complain, but it may affect the long term relationship if it is felt that I took advantage of her kindly gesture

On the other hand, if I ask for an amount which will be seen by the client as reasonable, then that's no good for me, especially if a decent kitchen job comes up in the meantime.

I suggested to DW that I don't even quote, that I make some excuse like I've suddenly got busy, but my wife thinks that now the idea is in her employer's mind, that she will nag DW about it until I go and do it.

Any ideas?

John

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Ed the Roofer said "John too, in his crass and blunt demeanor.............."

6stringmason

Tell em you dont work for friends, family, or spouses employers.

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Kamps Masonry & Concrete Countertop Design Green Bay, WI
920-680-3195
Visit our website @
http://www.concretecountertopsdesign.com/

SelfContract

I second that.

joecot

You're being asked by a businessperson to perform a job for which you will be paid. This is business, not personal. Handle your bid professionally, make it clear that you expect no special favors, and ask for what you deserve.

MALCO.New.York

It is ALL BAD. Piss off you WIFES employer and she could wind up UNEMPLOYED!

I would NEVER get involved with a relatives employer! Especially if you do not desire that sort of work.

This is an EASY decision here. Do not drag it out.

Make a decision and stick to it.

Decision Making is THE KEY to success.

__________________
Something to One may be Nothing to another!

Ultimate Wisdom---------
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW-cnizLDEE

john elliott

The fact that I don't want to take this job is already evident. The question really is how best to get out of it without upsetting anyone. Just saying no is not going to achieve that

John

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Ed the Roofer said "John too, in his crass and blunt demeanor.............."

joecot

Seems like saying "I have no experience with bedroom remodels" would do the trick.

woodchuck2

Conflict of interest, i would politely decline.

220/221

I exclude neighbors too.


Since you have committed to quoting it just go look at it. It may be a piece of cake. If you forsee problems just tell them that you don't feel comfortable doing the work. Seems simple.

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Just because it's within code doesn't make it safe.

Just because it's against code doesn't make it unsafe.

GSE

Bedroom closets, are more porfitable then kitchen jobs, the problem comes when some guys with little or no experience look at someone charging $3000 for a closet job, when in fact, most jobs go for $8,000 and up, how do you think the national chains make record profits every year and earn high six figure salaries on a continued basis, your looking in the rear view mirror and watching what the other guy is chatging, and most of the other guys have no idea on how to run a profitable business, in my area the chain dealers are growing while the low bid closet guys come and go, you need to change your thinking, let her boss know your a professional, and not one of those please choose me I am a low price guy.

Tom R

Whenever someone at my wife's workplace asks her about me doing a job for them, - - she politely replies, "I'll check how busy he is, but just so you know right up front, he's expensive".

If they still want me to come check out their job, - - the price doesn't offend them.

I'd still prefer they just call someone else.

Lew

Stay away! I side with the posters on no work for friends, family, neighbors, and especially your wifes boss. Her boss will most likely become nit picky and use your wife as leverage against you. In the end all parties hate each other.

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Lew

Double-A

Perhaps you should ask your wife how she feels about this. She knows her employer and she knows you. If she thought you two would butt heads, then she would have warned you off.

If you're set on not doing this, then understand that if someone else does it and doesn't do a good job, your wife may hold a grudge over it.

Be honest with the employer and let them know you do kitchens, not bedrooms. Your prices will reflect that and if she feels that what you're offering isn't to her budget an any way, she should feel absolutely free to get other quotes or even disregard yours out of hand. Again, this isn't your bailiwick, so there would be no offense taken.

On the other hand, you might find that you get the job and actually enjoy doing it. Could open a new market area for your skills/services.

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"My clients’ wishes are the center of my attention." -- David Guido, a contractor in Woodstock, N.Y.
New York Times, July 20, 2006

Tom M

Why not be as straight forward as possible? Say, "I want to be perfectly honest with you". "The majority of my projects are kitchen related and the costs are better justified for the time that goes in them. I will gladley quote you for your request but I thought I should warn you first so I dont leave you with the wrong impression". "I certainly wouldnt want to create any awkward situations or you feeling overcharged". That's the last thing I would want to happen. Then break a little balls---tease them with "I was going to charge double when my wife said it was you" just to get a laugh out of them. Then of course say just kidding as you know business is business I just wanted to be clear with whats involved. The compliment to you is that your work is worthy of request, dont make it a bad thing.

joecot

I'm surprised at all the people who say they would never work for friends or family. A lot of my work over the years has been for friends. A lot of my repeat clients become friends. You just have to be straight with them and approach the job as a professional and not as a weekend duffer. And you have to make it clear that you are charging your regular rate because otherwise you couldn't afford to find the time to help them.

And most important, you have to tell them that if you goof up on some detail - and you will - they must treat you as they would any other contractor and ask you to correct it.

john elliott

I went to have a look at the job today, and it's as bad as I feared. What she wants is to have the existing stuff modified, some stuff removed and some stuff added. Needless to say it's all completely different to how I would have built them, and I think I would probably have to dismantle most of it to get a decent result anyway.

I said I would have to have a think about how it could best be done, and she's accepted that. What it really needs is for the existing stuff to be removed completely and start again from scratch. But the rest of it looks fine and it would mean disposing of a lot of nice cabinetry.

The problem has become one of "yes, I can do the work, but I can't make it look good". I think her answer is going to be "well go ahead and we'll see how it looks when it's done. Anyway, at least I've deferred the problem for a few days

John

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Ed the Roofer said "John too, in his crass and blunt demeanor.............."

Susan Betz

You might be able to get away with a "consult" at this point. You've taken a look, you've given advice, you've done it for free. Is there another contractor you know that you could recommend for the job? I don't think most people would be offended if you bowed out at this point.

__________________
Fences of Distinction, Ocala, FL
http://www.fencesofdistinction.com

kgphoto

I don't get it. Work is slow, you need money, they are offering you work. Be upfront and say, "This is what I would do here and why and this is what I would charge to do it. Let me know what you decide."

Do a professional job with the highest quality you can muster and charge your appropriate price. Don't get hung up on the price you could get for work you don't have. Dermatologists don't charge as much as brain surgeons, so neither should you.

samthedog

I am currently working for friends. I made sure they understood that it was strictly business and when speaking with them I gave them my professional opinion. They have not agreed with everything I have recommended however they are paying the bills so i do what they want. I agree with kgphoto. No-one negotiates with the dentist on price and on how to do the filling. If they don't like it or you don't, leave before you commit to it. No harm, no foul.

cleveman

what does DW mean? I've heard of desperate wives, dumb wives, dizzy wives, and in Chicago, "da Wife".