Thread: how much do you charge your friends?

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I simply explain that it is my livelyhood, and I cannot afford to stop making a living....however I will give them my best rate, which is about 20% off on the labor, and materials at cost.

Also, if I am discounting the work, I will not give price quotes. I will only work by the hour.(That leaves me no cushion if there are problems.) If people expect more of me than that, I think it's kind of selfish and unreasonable of them, so I don't worry about whether they are upset or not. I work hard for the money, and I already am underpriced compared to other shops, so....

So I guess I'll chime in now as this hits pretty close to home.....literally....

I have kind of a similar situation with my Firebird. I have neither the facilities nor a lot of the tools to accomplish the build on my own. When I first got the car I made an agreement with my Dad to build the car, since he has everything needed and then some minus the parts for the actual car.

I told him that I expected him to charge me exactly like he would anybody else. He's charging me $25.00 an hour plus expenses, and I'm damn happy with that; because I know the kind of work I'm getting for my money, I don't think anybody else would put as much care into it for that price. So I feel like I'd come out ahead on this deal everytime.

I also told him that I only wanted him to work on the car for what I'd already paid for. In other words once a given amount of cash I had given him has run out, I asked him to not work on it anymore at all until I can send more money to pay for it. I did this because I don't ever want this build to make him feel like I screwed him out of his time. I'll also know by doing this that the day I drive it away, I'll owe him nothing else for it. I also gladly pay storage at his shop during the times that I don't have large sums of money to throw at it to make progress, and it gets moved off to the side while I gather more money to send.

Since I'm not made of money, I don't expect him to work on it whenever there is another money making project in his shop because I feel that would be unfair of me.

So far, I know that we've both been pretty happy with the arrangement. He doesn't feel like I'm taking advantage of him because he's "dad" and I know I'll be happy with the finished product, especially at the price that I'm getting it for.

I say all of this because he and I are family, I have the utmost respect for him, and this is how we are treating it. If your "friend" expects you to not charge him labor and tries to tell you what you can build it for.....well, I can tell you that it sounds to me like he is really trying to take advantage of you and maybe he only really wants to "be your friend" so that he can get something out of it. I don't know him, and that may be an unfair assesment; but, I'd never expect a friend or family member to do something for me for nothing in return. I feel that would be extremely disrespectful and it's just not the type of guy I ever want to be.

I'll give you another example of what I mean by this....My dad has a friend, Joe, that runs a pretty successful body shop, when I was looking at buying new fenders, qtr panels, hood, etc. for the car, I had him order the stuff through his business so that I could take advantage of a pretty significant discount, close to about $400.00 that he got from them on my stuff because of all the business he does with them. Joe didn't ask for it or expect it; but, when I wrote him the check for it all, I split the savings that I got with him. I had used his business to save money, and so I felt it only right to kick a little back his way since he'd done me a favor.

Maybe some folks would think that I'm stupid with my money; but, I'll tell you what, I've never lost any sleep over any decision I've ever made when it comes to dealing with my friends. There are "friends" that I have had that I would never do business with again, and all of them fit the profile you described in your post. I guess that's just it, I personally, never want to fit that profile.

Cheers,
Dutch

Originally Posted by DennyW

A man that holds his head high, and you should. Pays his dues, as in non leeching, and shows respect to others, regardless of who they are. You are what is known as a proud man of his word, and honors a handshake. That's tops in my book.

Thanks Denny! I know you, and others on the board are as well.

Cheers,
Dutch

Rule #1--Never do work for a friend Rule #2 Never give a credit reference or a job recomendation for a relative.---Especially an in-law!!!!

My 2 cents. I did a job for a guy I worked with and told him it would be $35 an hour and that included my expenses (power,weldgas etc.) All sheetmetal,parts and such was extra. I kept very good track of my time and got paid every 40 hours. I also kept him informed of my progress so he KNEW I wasn't trying to shaft him.
In other words,keep everything up front and stick to it.
Sean

The two biggest dead beats on my accounts recievable ledger were friends.... Just one of the many reasons that I am really fussy about who I will even do work for anymore..... Most are pretty good about returning favors, but there's always got to be a couple of them who will walk all over you.... Anymore, it's right up there with loaning out tools, probably ain't gonna happen!!!!!!

Ever since I have been on this little retirement thing of mine (which looks like it might be coming to an end from the phone call I got today! ) I have had a lot of time to watch the court shows on TV, like Judge Judy, etc.

The majority of the cases on there are regarding people who tried to do another person some favor and ended up getting the shaft and also losing a friend. It is amazing that two people who were once best friends can be on opposing sides of the case and have two such differing recollections of the events. You even see Parents suing their kids and vice versa.

Also, the vast majority of the people on there did it on a handshake or simply trust that the person would repay them. When the Judge asks for written proof, most say "well, I TRUSTED them because we were friends." Even some businesses get burned and have no contract or anything in writing.

Point I am making is that many many friendships end up with bad feelings and one person ripping the other off. To me, the best policy is not to do work for friends unless there is a total understanding IN WRITING of every little detail and what is expected of both parties. Then you don't end up with any surprises at the end.

Don

Sounds like a bad deal to me, he does not sound like a very friendly guy! I personally would walk away from this, tell him im booked, and do not have the time. I have a few buddies i do work for all the time, but i like helping, but i know if i need them , they would do all they could in return. Very few get my FREE time!

No brainer... If your in doubt its all ready bad. If in doubt , pull out......

I think that you need to re-evaluate the criteria you use to label a person “friend”.



This guy sounds like nothing but a headache waiting in the weeds.


Price it so you will not loose your ass on it, and sleep well. If he wants to pay for it, fine, if not, let him walk. He will get over it, you already have.


Some people, no matter how hard they try, will not ever understand the value in having someone competent work on or build their vehicle, nor will they ever be able to comprehend the time and money you have invested to be able to work at the level you do.



Good luck!

-Steve

The guy is not a friend, he's a free loader. Tell him if he doesn't like your price to check elsewhere. If he still insists that you do it, give him your best price and tell him you want a minimum of 40 % up front before you start the job, 30% more at halfway, another 20% before completion and the remaining amount on completion. Odds are he won't be back, If he does, do a written contract and have it signed and witnessed.

My dad used to tell me friends and relatives are your worst customers. True statment.

While I try to take care of my stuff myself occasionally I have to ask a favor. I always try to pay the favoree at least his regular wages. Sometimes even overtime and dinner. This has been good for me and favorees so far and I don't think anyone is PO'd me.

The couple auto shops I've had to deal with have been hit with the worst problems and toughest rigs to work on. They usually give me a quoted price then find it takes twice as long or longer than they thought. I try to do something extra for them. I've tried paying the extra but they refuse and tell me to "get otta there with dat boom de boom". I've taken pizza and sodas and other goodies for them especialy on Fiday afternoons. They really get a hoot over it and I get good service from them.

Originally Posted by brianrupnow

Rule #1--Never do work for a friend Rule #2 Never give a credit reference or a job recomendation for a relative.---Especially an in-law!!!!

Rule # 3, When you work for nothing, that's just what you end up with. Nothing!

Yep this is one person looking for alot for nothing . It's really all been said in the replys . This being a hobby for me it gets me out of the do you work on the side thing. I tell them i only work on my on stuff and really don't have time to do other work . Another is my plate's to full to take on anymore .

Now just recently i did put a front suspension together on a 68 Mustang for a guy . But it took a couple hours and i have the right compressor for the springs so no big deal for me . But i did volunteer so maybe i will hear back from him someday ,LOL .

We all know that in the car hobby you will need one of two thing's . A big full check book or alotta skill from learning this all your life .

When it comes to business, I leave friendship at the curb.