Working For Family

Mr. D

my in-laws have been contemplating a master bedroom/bath remodel for almost 2 years. i've spent countless hrs. going over ideas w/ them, wasted a few subs time, plus numerous dinner discussions etc. they can't decide what they want... i said just move into the other bedroom i'll gut the master and we can lay out several options. they aren't too visual unless it's in their face.
so 2 years later they've been to some home shows to reaffirm everything i've already told them several times was correct and tell me about the great new things they learned. (hmm) hired their new 8000 sq ft office build to someone else. and decided to hire some designer/contractor to design this master bed/bath.
i figured fine better not to mix work and family anyhow, even though they expect me to take care of their daughter and grandchild.
so now they have these plans from this designer and tell me they want me to give a quote for the project. so i think well my november could use some scheduling. and go meet this dude at their house today to check these professional prints.
he had some half assed drawing with dimensions that didn't even add up. so i questioned him on some things and he tells me this. "well, it's hard to get dimensions from an existing building. you just need to worry about gutting this thing and laying out some chalk lines. then we'll figure out what they want from there."
he made up some b.s. story about how i was supposed to pick up some plans from some printer and have my subs there to meet him to go over the plans today. told my in laws that right in front of me. and apparrently told them that was what was happenning. i talked to him once today and he asked if i could meet him at 4. i said yes. then he asked if i had subs i use regularly. i said yes. he says cool. that was that. it was hard to remain pro with this prick.
there's so much more to go on about , but this is enough rambling to make me feel better. anyhow i think i'm gonna pass on this job and let family be family. thats rough enough.

Tscarborough

"Sorry, Mom, my schedule is so full there is no way I could get to this this year. Get some quotes and I will back-check them for you".


Done.

Peladu

Dude, that's hard to do....
What will happen is that when another Co. comes in and forks something up...it will still be your fault for not doing it.
If you do it....you will eventually do something to piss them off and that will be your fault also.
It's a no win situation for you.


But, since your in-laws asked you for a bid, that basically means they do not like you.

What you do to them? Knock up their daughter at a young age? i feel sorry for you dude.

reveivl

I think it was Mike Finley who had an agreement with another (trusted) contractor. He turned his own family onto this guy, and the guy did the same in return. Sounds smart, it can be a no win situation easily, with your wife in the middle---yuk.

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RebelNY

I always say that when it comes to family and work I either do it for free labor or I make sure they know im way too busy so I will offer to look over the bids and check out the job for them. Another good reason not to do it is because you become their handyman every screw that ever goes astray in that room they will expect you to fix after all thats why they paid you no matter how good of a deal you gave them .

slickshift

"Run Forrest, run!"



Even if it wasn't family it sounds a little iffy, but the hand-off for family jobs is the best idea anyway

Follow your gut, it's telling you to pass

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Originally Posted by ModernStyle I have never used this crap before and I pray to the paint gods that I never have to use it again, I would rather use Behr

copusbuilder

I always tell family to get bids and I will do a better job for less...usually.

But, even that does not work....It is tough dealing with family and it can be tough on both sides. We're really busy is generally the best phylosophy...but you have the wife to deal with

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Mike Finley

Not me. For family and friends the policy I use is there is no charge. But they have to get their hands dirty and work right along side me hour for hour. Separates the jackasses from the good people real quick, and after one of those jobs their approach on the next one years later is "How much? Just tell me how much?"

I think the only sensible thing I heard out of that whole story was finally Man, how many times does a man have to have somebody take a dirty sock, sh!t in it and smack him upside the head with it before he finally realizes the person doing the smacking doesn't have your best interest in mind and isn't just trying to just shoe a fly away for you, and instead is just using your head as a post to try to clean their sh!t filled sock?

Tom R

I have a buddy who's a contractor, - - and he's pretty damn good.

He does my family's work, - - I do his.

For about 15 years now.

We both come 'highly recommended'

Everybody's happy. Win-win.

reveivl

Sorry Mike, guess it was Tom R.

I'm busy trying to dodge a carport for the ex-in-law in the city five hours from here. Got no contacts there, no accounts, nothin'. Plus I'd have to stay with them and 'be polite'. Yeccch!

__________________
From where does knowledge come? If you need to know what is in a box, you could ask someone (not reliable), you could pray, (not useful), you can consult with the scripture (not helpful) or you could open the box (science)

Gordo

Just finished a three week project for my parents.

Best clients in the world. Dad hangin' out and shootin' the breeze all day tellin' stories.

Mom cooked homemade meals every lunch. Homemade apple pies from apples in the backyard. Fresh raspberries as well.

Money is pretty good too.

Sorry. I didn't realise I had it so good till now.

Thanks Lord!

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Looks like some pros were here.

Tscarborough

Mom and Dad are a no brainer, In-laws and Aunties are a different matter.

Tom R

Right you are, T.