Interesting outcome to my work payment dilemma

[Marie5656]

My friend came out today to discuss his labor quote with me. I told him outright I could not accept his $3500 quote as it was beyond my budget. He then looked surprised and asked wasn't my brother helping me pay for the work (he helped and paid when I had the ramp put up). I told him no, it was all going to be on me, as my brother knew I had cash enough to pay what I thought was a fair amount. So, I told him I had another quote of $2000 to just build the deck and stain the ramp, and MAYBE clear out the weeds and brush behind the house. I then said I would pay NO MORE than $2000 for the work. I also said I would start looking elsewhere for other quotes.

All of a sudden there was a change of heart and he said "OK, let me talk with my brothers, but I will accept the quote." I also said I want receipts for labor, itemized. Plus I am paying separately for materials, and will go to Home Depot with them to make the purchases, as HD gave them the best quote for materials.

 

[RadishRose]

Wow, what a change, huh? If your brother was kicking in, he would charge 3500.00, but seeing as how your brother is not, it's only $2,000.00.

Good going, Marie! But this guy seems not on the up and up. With you in charge now, I doubt he'll try to pull anything over!

 

[Geezerette]

Yaaaaay Marie! Sic'em! It doesn't sound like he would want to make an enemy out of your brother either.good move to ask for ac accounting of the labor.

 

[Aunt Bea]

Nice guy!

I would keep looking for a reputable person to do the work instead of using someone that thought he could milk down my brother for the extra money.

He should have at least been smart enough not to mention your brother and just tell you he would take a second look at his original estimate.

Maybe I'm being too hard on this guy if he built the ramp and you are satisfied with his work that is worth quite a bit.

If it feels right go for it but keep an eye on him!!! layful:nthego:

 

[applecruncher]

Frankly, I'm not sure I'd want to deal with him anymore.
Too much back & forth, and he could later throw it up to you how he did you a "favor".

 

[Marie5656]

Thanks for all your advice and support with this issue. I am taking to heart all you have had to say when deciding in which direction to go . I thought long and hard before making my decision to go ahead and continue working with him on this project.

The old me would have gone ahead and accepted his original quote no questions asked. But no more. I will think long and hard before asking for his help in the future.

Maybe I could have talked him down to an even lower quote, and will keep this experience in mind when making future decisions on work. I just want this project done. I have had so much grief and anxiety in the past months that I feel I need this right now.

I know there have been people in the past who have asked for advice here and not taken it. I want to be the one who does listen to what people have to say before moving on with decisions.

Thanks again.

 

[Keesha]

Wow, what a change, huh? If your brother was kicking in, he would charge 3500.00, but seeing as how your brother is not, it's only $2,000.00.

Good going, Marie! But this guy seems not on the up and up. With you in charge now, I doubt he'll try to pull anything over!

Nice guy!

I would keep looking for a reputable person to do the work instead of using someone that thought he could milk down my brother for the extra money.

He should have at least been smart enough not to mention your brother and just tell you he would take a second look at his original estimate.

Maybe I'm being too hard on this guy if he built the ramp and you are satisfied with his work that is worth quite a bit.

If it feels right go for it but keep an eye on him!!! layful:nthego:

My thoughts exactly . I wouldn’t accept any help from him after that first deceptive move.
Good luck Maria. You are doing great.

 

[Ronni]

I have a different thought process on this.

While I completely recognize that the guy is likely just a scammer, it also occurred to me that he could be trying to help the OP out by dropping his price once he realized that she wasn't going to be able to afford it. $3500 may have been a decent bid, but he needs the work, she needs it done, he's trying to be nice since she just lost her husband, and so he's setting the price point at one she can afford.

The only reason I'm suggesting that is that I've done similar with a client or two over the years. One in particular had hired me to do a complete reorganization of several areas of her house after her last child went off to college. I'd worked for her before. Out of the blue, her husband lost his job, she was devastated. She needed the work done even more because now that had to sell their house, but felt she could no longer justify hiring me. We talked, and I offered a compromise of reduced cost and a different approach to the work which wouldn't be as extensive and detailed, but would get the basic job done. She was thrilled. Win/win. I still got to work and she got her basic organization that she could expand on herself.

Granted they are completely different scenarios, Marie's and mine, but I try and see a situation from all perspectives.

 

[Sunny]

I think he sounds like a scam artist. I wouldn't trust him. It should be completely irrelevant to him where the money comes from to pay him; that's really none of his business. A fair price is a fair price.

Imagine going into a store to buy something and seeing a price tag on it that says, "$5.95 if you are paying for it alone, or $19.85 if you have a relative helping you."

 

[Mike]

Good for you Marie, but in future I would suggest
that you get three estimates, don't just take somebody
because he did work before.

Get several quotes, add them all together, then divide by
the number of quotes and look to see who is the nearest
or lowest to the average figure, that is how I would do it.

Mike.

 

[Marie5656]

I am taking all your advice to heart, really. I will get more estimates in the future. I need to have new carpets put in, and my friend has already said they do not do rugs, so I am good there.
I am really feeling kind of sorry I even agreed to work with them on this project, but as I said, this is the last major job I am going to ask them to do.

 

[Catlady]

Whenever I need a big job done I usually get 3 estimates, and depending on the vibe about whether the guy can be trusted I usually pick the middle bid. I might pick the lower bid if I feel that the guy is just starting out and needing the money. Most of the time I have not been disappointed. Oh, and most of the time it's best to do business with strangers instead of friends and relatives since you're free to fire them if the job is not up to par and you're not losing the friendship at the same time. Hope everything turns out okay with this guy.