Jeez, you nailed that one. Stupid is right. Every time I think it will be different, and it rarely is. I drove over 1000 miles for a job for a friend once, down to Southern Oregon, got gas money out of it... I can be quite trusting and for that, end up feeling like a jack*** a lot.

 

I knew someone wouldnt be able to resist......

 

It is very rare to find an honest business man out there today, good for you Dan!!

Couldn't have said it better myself Joe!!

Gotta love when friends/family take you for granted. Happens to me also but nothing to the extent of you guys, mine is just doing hair.

From what I know of you and everyone else on here, being to nice would be alot of our problems. We like to think the best of everyone and help out when and where we can.

 

Try almost 2 months, for 500 bucks. 20x40 deck, done with Cypress (which is garbage) had to put the joisting on 12" centers because the Cypress was just 3/4" without much strength, including fancy hand rails and a 30' long handicapped ramp with a turn in it. It only took that long because I did it completely by myself and only worked on it a few hours a day. But I had no idea she had so little money in mind to give me. She figured parking my motor home there was worth a small fortune. I do not argue, but I do hold a grudge for a long time.

 

Mark, sometimes I think you are just the older version of me.

 

Cris, it may seem smaller, but to me, taking advantage is taking advantage. Could be $5 bucks, could be $500, principal is the same...
Oh and Mark, I too can hold (and am) a grudge for years...

 

Happens to us all. What makes it worse is when people see no real value in what you do, but require your services.

I've had people approach me on making flyers, or designing a logo or whatnot, and expect it to be free..this is something I spent plenty of money on, whether it be through education and computer programs, and is usually hours worth of work.

I've had people ask for design work, and accept the finish product, and just walk away. hellooo

Just because I am not a plumber, or electrician, or mechanic, does not mean I don't deserve compensation for what I do, like its some sort of hobby.

Rant over.

I'm not talking about those of you who I have discussed doing some work for, just so ya know.

 

I've given plenty of work away before.
It just needs to be discussed before you start working.

 

Dan, you hit the nail on the head. (I thought that was appropriate for the construction crowd) haha

 

It sucks when your friends just seem to expect it from you. I guess that's what you get when you've got certain skills, like building things, working on vehicles, graphic design, etc...

If a friend who's good at something offers to help, I'll gladly take them up on it, but in no way would I ever go to them and ask for free help.

My buddy Jeff is about the only one I'll do work for and never ask for a thing though, mainly because it goes both ways with us. I'm skilled with the wrench work on his vehicles, and he's skilled with the homebuilding stuff. We pretty much end up trading labor over the years. I've helped him a lot with his truck (as I'm doing now...wouldn't even want to know what the dealer would charge for what's being done...I'm sure it would be in the thousands of dollars), and he's helped me a ton around the house with laying tile, painting, building a storage shed, and helping to lay out and pour my back patio & driveway extension. We never ask for anything because we know we'll eventually on the other side of the help fence.

 

I agree Dan, sometimes I wouldnt mind helping someone out for no, or very little cost, but it seems like there is no communication of that.

I charge 130 bucks an hour (add 80 onto that if running my dump truck) and if someone, friend family or whatever wants a good deal, hell ask me, say something, offer to trade something, work, a nice meal out (sometimes, someone taking ya out for a meal and drinks is worth more then ya think)

I made it into a habit to always ask someone what they want for their help/work/time. If all else fails and they say they want nothing, then I buy em beer!

 

Thats a perfect example, that is exactly what Im talking about, when it works both ways like that, its even better.

 

My problem is a lot of the time it is discussed, even in a contract, and it's like it doesnt matter. I have about 4 people I will kill myself for in labor, and they will do the same for me. I just need to learn more about reading people sometimes. It's my problem just a much as it is theirs.

 

I agree.

I'll agree to do free work for those who I know are good for a favor in return!

 

Everyone has a skill set that can be utilized by others. It doesn't have to be manual labor type of work to be needed and appreciated. I agree with you, Lisa. You're not born with the skills to do what you do, and you should be justly compensated.

Thanks for clarifying that last part too. You're a sweetheart.