How do you handle garage work requests?

[LeonardY]

We all have great garages or aspire to have one. Once you have loaded it with tools and equipment for your enjoyment. How do you handle the person that comes along and wants you to do some type of job for them?

There are three categories that me consider doing a "favor."

1. You're a really good friend.
2. It's a really interesting project.
3. I make a boat load of money.

But even with these rules. It gets awkward with friends.

 

[crewchief888]

I used to do some work for friends or family.

kicked the "friends" to the curb 2 years ago, when push come to shove, found out they weren't really friends.

I will do some work on my oldest stepdaughters car, but only to a certain point.


I sold my off road toy back in the spring, scrapped all the spare parts, and materials I had laying around for those little projects.

 

[StreetGLi]

I found setting a solid precedent helps. Nothing is free... Really.

My friends know I will help with a project if it doesn't eat up too much time in which I could be making money. If the project is cool enough, that's worth my time. As a result my friends ask if we can do something together, and if it's not possible or it has to be on the back burner and there is no real timeline, then so be it. They'll wait or find somewhere else to get it done.

In my friend group we are all kind of like that. We all have regular jobs, wife lists, and personal projects to complete, so no one takes it personally. If they did I'd be asking myself, are they really someone I want to be friends with?

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[Scud67]

I used to work on other peoples cars and would charge for labor and materials. Then it became a case of "why so much?", etc....

I only work on immediate family vehicles now - other than my own projects. Not worth the hassle of working on "friends" cars, nor can you charge them enough to make it worth the headache.

 

[toyotadriver]

I help friends but I only offer the help to those who I am willing to work for free.

 

[HazetMatt]

I'm a non-professional so I'm always looking for a project to do. There's only so many things I can do to my own cars. Plus none of my friends are mooches so if they do ask for something I have no problem helping out.

 

[f121]

There are three categories that me consider doing a "favor."

1. You're a really good friend.
2. It's a really interesting project.
3. I make a boat load of money.

But even with these rules. It gets awkward with friends.

Those are the rules I use too.

I dont do much work for other people, because I have so many of my own projects that need doing. Generally all my friends are as busy as me, so they kinda understand why I wont arbitrarily do work for them, but we kinda work on a trade basis for labour - e.g. I wire up an engine for someone, they build a wall for me. There’s also a ton of jobs that are a thousand times easier with a couple of people, and we all get those, so tend to trade them.

There’s the odd exception, like before christmas a buddy with a couple of new kids calls me up at 9pm saying hes got a problem with the air suspension on his truck, needs my modis and some help so he can get to work in the morning. I was drunk of my *** in a bar, but otherwise not doing anything, so told him I’m happy to help if he picks me up

 

[PugetDude]

Neighbors- I'll run a couple of weld beads, install a ceiling fan, or cut a few boards for a friend, but I won't fabricate a workbench, wire their house, or build a set of kitchen cabinets.
One exception- my closest friend and I have been doing projects together for 20+ years, we've framed, wired, welded, demolished, remodeled, and rebuilt a lot of stuff at each other's homes, cars and cabins. If he called and said needed me to do something, I'd drop everything and jump in to help- and he'd do the same for me.
Usually it's a text with a photo and a cryptic, "how would you do this?" and the invariable response, is "get out of the way and I'll show you, *******!" I'd say we're pretty evenly matched over the past two decades.

 

[sweetk30]

no more side jobs for me at this point unless its stupid easy / fast / or good friend who never asks for help of the neighbors to keep them happy with simple jobs i can bang out quick .

i had a 15+ year friendship go south last fall cause he didnt hold up his end of the bargin and then i let that slide and he took advantage of me again for almost 1k bucks until i confronted him on it . he never once to this day has said sorry or gave a reason as to why he treated me this way .

i got my own projects to finish so i hate to say it but FU*K the rest of the cry baby's . its NOT my vehicle and its NOT my problem it broken .

its a major black hole if you jump in to this help me world . not saying its a bad thing but it can **** you in to the dark side real fast .

 

[Jagmandave]

I don't work on friend's cars....period.

I will work on people they refer to me, but I charge and I let them know up front what my rate is and that it's done when I say it's done, not on their timeline. If any of that doesn't work for them I decline the job.

I'm usually done before they think I will be anyway, but sometimes life intervenes, or I just get sick and tired of working on stuff and take a break......

 

[4 FN 27]

For those I do not consider friend and in no way can return a favor...it is simple, $125.00 per hour.

I do tons of things for friends. But there are those that simply takers and never give back.

 

[LeonardY]

I was just out in the garage and a neighbor came up with a lighting clamp.
He says, "Hey, what it take for you knock out 20 of these on your CNC?"

I smiled and replied, "I don't know. Depends how much of my free time I want to lose."

I'm not trying to be rude to anyone. It's getting a little tiring.

 

[gatewaysysop]

In my experience, the best way to avoid being That Guy™ that people lean on for freebies, shop work, automotive help, etc., is to keep your mouth shut.

My neighbors and coworkers have no idea what, if any, tools/equipment I have in my garage or what my hobbies include. Never once has anyone asked to borrow tools or have me help work on anything.

It's a great system.

 

[isb cornbinder]

I was driving my 1953 IHC pickup close to home. There was another old IHC truck on the side of the road. The older than I man said his truck had stopped running again and it never ran for more than 10 minutes. We managed to get the truck the last kilometer to my shop. I looked inside the fuel tank with an inspection camera. There were several shop rags in the tank. In time one of the rags would cover the fuel pickup tube and the engine would stall.
A fishing expedition with a hooked wire retrieved three rags. He had been stuffing a rag in the filler kneck. I gave the "old guy" a free locking gas cap and he was on his way, No charge.
A few hours later, I got a telephone call from my friend. He thanked me for helping his Dad. I did not know the older guy was my friend's father.
I do not do any outside work other than for my friend Fred.

 

[NORDFORD]

I’m a firm believer in what goes around comes around. I entertain nearly every opportunity to help just about anyone. If I can or want to, I do it. If I can’t or don’t want to, I don’t. Regardless, I’m kind about it and make sure everyone feels good with the situation. I’m not always home and I’m not always with my family members. I figure, if I help everyone I can, hopefully someone will help my family in the event that I can’t.

 

[Jeff Ivers]

As a retiree, I welcome the opportunity to use my shop to help others. The kinds of requests I normally get are small fabrications or repairs that I can complete with surplus materials on hand. I also sometimes just let someone use a tool that I have in my shop to complete a task they can't do at home (drill press as an example). If asked to take on some kind of major project, I just point to the projects stacked up in my shop and decline the request.

 

[nadogail]

Be a Mench, the world needs more Menches.

 

[MattT]

I’m a firm believer in what goes around comes around.

I've been waiting over 30 years and ain't a damn thing come back around yet. I'm at the cash money or take it to a shop point now.

 

[driftpin]

Be a Mench, the world needs more Menches.

Mensch?

I have 2 great neighbors, both have helped me do some not-very time-consuming things around the house. One has a handyman business, I hired him to re-do a bathroom, stripped to the studs/CBS walls, ceiling stayed. I paid him his price, and stayed out of his way. There were a couple things I'd do differently, but there haven't been any workmanship issues since.

The other guy is a mechanical engineer, he's very willing to pitch-in and help me, I try to only ask him for stuff which can be done quickly. He would tell me if he didn't have the time, he has 2 teenage kids, 1 is special-needs. He has been very helpful, and he's always inviting me to try some barbecue he's making, I bring him a 6-pack or a 12-pack after he does something to help.

I don't want the liability of doing something for someone, other than helping these two guys, if they asked for it. I'm also not-prepared for space-consuming larger projects.

 

[ez-duzit]

I am a professional and never work for free. My rate is $80/hour for labor and cost + 10% for material. (period)

 

[mxdev]

Depends on the person. Some people appreciate the time and effort you take to help them, and they show it depending on their means. If I get a sense that someone is expecting me to do something by telling me and not asking or I feel like I'm getting fucked, they get cut off.

For close family, I don't really keep score, but everything gets settled in the long run. But for everyone else, trust your gut on how you feel after the initial project is finished and paid up.

 

[MrSurly]

This brings up the sole advantage to having an always-cluttered shop. Just look around, friend. Just where do you think I would put *your* project, hmmmm? And btw: yours will be in line AFTer these.

 

[The Cobbler]

I don't do a lot of outside work in my shop. most of what I do in there is for me personally, or to be incorporated into a job in the field, so in that case it gets billed to the job . most stuff I do in the shop for friends is done on basis, you helped me, I'm helping you sort of thing .
I have a buddy that does welding repairs etc for me, he keeps a log book and a few times a year we open it up and square up. he's always fair . and it makes a difference in price if its for me personally, or something that I'm passing along .

 

[PNWguy]

I'm happy to share some space, tools and knowledge with friends who understand what I'm offering. People who expect me to open up, demand my services or have nothing to return to me can go pound sand.

 

[Shane6377]

I freely offer my garage, tools and help when I can. It's usually more an issue of having the time. I've helped roof houses, replace flooring, remodel bathrooms and replace siding along with the odd mechanic work.

I've worked hard and have been blessed to be in a position to not need to ask for payment of any kind. Friends and family usually get me a gift card or something. I'm not doing it to make money. Just paying it forward.


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[LeonardY]

I never meant to say I wouldn't help out a friend or neighbor. I do it all the time. Even today, I cut the neighbor's Christmas tree and stuffed it into my yard bin. I knew they didn't have the ability to do it.
I'm even happy to give people advice on their projects.
I was brought up to explain how difficult something would be for me to do it and allow the other person to back out. But others weren't raised with the same type of etiquette. What I need to learn is how to politely say no.
Admittedly, I could have been politer to my other neighbor.

 

[Bigblockyeti]

In my experience, the best way to avoid being That Guy™ that people lean on for freebies, shop work, automotive help, etc., is to keep your mouth shut.

Bingo!

I've also noticed a cluttered shop helps and having saw dust and chips sprayed everywhere in a haphazard fashion can quickly indicate too much already going on.

 

[619DioFan]

I work in the moving and storage industry so any " side " work I do is related to my full time job as I have decades of experience and am comfortable handling any type of move related job. as for garage related jobs , I am just a DIYer who keeps his own vehicles maintained and by no means a " professional technicion " so I choose to not work on other peoples mechanical items. the last thing I need is for something to go wrong with a repair on someone elses vehicle. I am however willing to loan tools to those I know as well as let them work on their vehicle at my house.

 

[strength_and_power]

I have a coworker who would find stuff made from scrap on Pinterest and want me to build it for him for peanuts because he has a family kids etc. I kept turning him down. His next tactic was for me and another tech to build 4 smokers for himself and three salesmen as a “team building” exercise. They would graciously pay for the materials. His reasoning was building 4 would go faster since it would be repetitive. To mess with him I agreed but they all needed to come up with a thousand bucks apiece at the same time knowing that will never happen. To further mess with him, I gave a different coworker a box of smoker parts I had. Then started building my own smoker.
I will gladly help someone with a personal project providing they put some sweat equity into it and will only work on it when they are there. If it’s something they want to build and sell/flip, my free labor stops.


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[isb cornbinder]

This is garage work, but, slightly off the subject.
Some years ago, a HAZET collector called me and asked if I could go and buy a collection of Hazet wrinches he knew was for sale. I was told he could not make the hour drive for a few weeks because of the overtime at his job. He had done the negotiating. He went on to assure me he was good for the money.
After a year, this bum shows up unannounced and wants to see his Hazet tools. At this point he had none of his money in the tools. I opened the drawers with the Hazet stuff for him. He stated to pick and reject and wanted a price for the few pieces he picked out. I took the Hazet tools away from him, put them back in the drawers and locked the toolbox. When I could get a word in, I told him to get F'n lost. My son walked him to his car and sent him on his way, with instruction to never call again.
I was out of pocket for $250 for some really nice tools.

 

[YukonXL04]

I usually fall into the category of "oh yay a new project, something to take my mind off my current headache" haha but that's only for short 1-2 hour favors

The way I work it with friends is they are more than welcome to bring something over and work on it, I will help out, but I'm not going to do the whole job for free. So I'll help here and there, and mainly just advise them how to do what they are wanting. Usually works out pretty well.

 

[rharman]

When I first started accumulating tools (45+ years ago), i would gladly work on my close friends motorcycles and only asked to be reimbursed for the cost of new tools I needed.

Now, I'll gladly help a couple of neighbors with carpentry stuff. I long long ago gave up working on cars and motorcycles.

 

[James-W]

If the project is something I feel comfortable in helping with, I will do it. If I don't feel like I can handle the project, then I refuse to do it or even help with the project. For example, my neighbor three doors houses down the street from me has some rotten boards on his back porch. I will help him rebuild the porch this coming Spring because I have all the tools and the know-how to do the job. On the other hand, if he asked me to help him rebuild the transmission in his truck, I would refuse because I have no idea how to do that.

I don't generally charge labor for helping people out, only for the materials I use. Sometimes I don't even charge for materials, it all depends on a whole lot of different factors. I do stuff like sharpen lawnmower blades and I don't charge anywhere near enough, but I don't do it to make money, I do it more for something to do than anything else. Problem is, I am trying to get out of doing it, but over the years I have sharpened blades for a lot of people and they expect me to keep on doing it. So I humor them and I clean up their and then sharpen and balance it. In some cases I even spray paint the blade so it looks like brand new.

 

[parb]

I don't mind helping out friends and family.ill help the neighbors I think are nice. I'll help anyone do is a veteran, regardless if I know them or not especially young kids getting home from overseas deployments. I just sold my car to a young marine, the son of someone I work with, for about half of what I would make anyone else pay.
I expect them to get material or pay for material assuming they have the means.
My best friend calls me tech support because I'm computer savvy, but he knows more about engines and building construction than I do. I'm good with electricity and design (I built his Homebrew system).

I generally believe in paying it forward. I won't be taken advantage of though, if there is no reciprocation I won't help them after the first two or three times.

 

[PelicanPines]

I always mention... Amazon Gift Cards are welcome.

Only had one deadbeat in the last ten years... he knows not to darken the wet leaves in my driveway.

I don't repair cars... I will help them... with my tools. Free... no consumables

I fix things... I make them better.

 

[mmb617]

I do small jobs for my neighbors, like maybe weld something for them. No problem as I know they would help me if I need them.

I also do some bigger jobs for a real good friend of mine who isn't particularly mechanically inclined and don't ask for any payment but he always insists on paying me anyways.

What I won't do anymore is jobs for family members who don't know I'm alive till they need something from me.

I did a job with many hours of labor for my nephew and only charged for materials used. I only did it because his mother (wife's sister) asked me to and I have no problems with her, but it really rubbed me the wrong way when he couldn't even say thanks. He acted like I owed him that time because I was related, and yet at my wife's wake he couldn't even be bothered to attend. Every time I think about that it pisses me off as my wife went out of her way to help him many times when I was of the opinion that he created his own problems and I didn't want to help him.

 

[Bogie1632]

I do some limited work for friends and family. 2 rules for all of them.

First, you'll be there to help and learn about your vehicle or project. Even my knuckleheads nephews who don't know anything about a vehicle or tools learned white shoes, designer jeans, and their favorite hoody don't belong in my garage Learned that while they were doing their first brake job. Their friends just stood back and texted the whole time. Didn't even get my hands dirty on that job but they did get upset at how dirty they got. They now have work shoes and clothes for when they come over.

Second. My labor and your learning are free. Parts and consumables are not. You cover that, not me. Unless it's for my parents, than it's all free because I get apple pie and chocolate cake. Beer is also a consumable however those go to the wifey as I rarely drink anymore.

Friend of a friend work I try to avoid but have been know to work something out for the right, fair price.

V/R
Bogie

 

[x95braat]

I've had fewer moochers as time goes on, but the best one I have found to use is a trade in time. I have a large yard that takes some time to mow. If I'm doing your project, I'm not mowing. So you mow my lawn and I'll do the project you need.

Not one time has anyone accepted the offer.

 

[Mancino]

I kind of work along the lines of how you operate, NORDFORD. I don't go out of my way asking people if I can help but anytime a hear a family member, friend, neighbor, or close co-worker(I say close because there are plenty of people at work I would NOT help!) that mentions something they are having trouble with, I offer to lend a hand. Depending on the job, I'll usually complain about it to my wife before or after, but it feels good to help someone out when they are in a tough spot. And let's be honest, we've all been there! All I ask is that you help with the work if you are capable.

Perfect example.....my neighbor traded in his old tractor for a new Massey. They gave him pallet forks with the deal, but they were a universal fit set. He was going to bring the tractor back and have them do the work, but they wanted to charge him! I told him we could do it at my shop in about 30mins. So I saved the guy a trip and some $$. He's been forever grateful since, offers his tractor anytime I need it, and has gotten me out of a few jams already with said tractor.

My father always says, "life is about who you know, not what you know".

 

[niget2002]

I'm hit or miss based on my mood and the time of day.

My shop is where I go to forget about work/money/etc, so I pretty much never accept a job that sounds like it will be work. I do pretty much always accept a job if it sounds interesting to me or requires some interesting design thought to fix.

A coworker is in to woodworking like I am. He was talking about a project that I did and had asked if I had drawings he could use to make the same thing for himself. The drawings I had were because I used my CNC to cut the part. I offered to just cut him the part on the CNC using some leftover stock I had from another project. He offered to pay for it, so I just rounded the BF cost of the wood to the nearest dollar.

I have a friend coming over soon so we can try to burn some laminate with my laser engraver. I haven't tried that before, so it sounds pretty interesting. If we get it to work and look good, he plans on laminating it onto the bottom of a skateboard. He wants to pay me for my time. It took a bit of back and forth before he understood that this is just me playing in my shop and I didn't want money. I did tell him that if it works and works well and he wants me to do more in the future, that we'd have to come to an agreement on a cost then. Once it gets repetitive or boring, I want to be paid for the effort.

I make stuff for my wife all the time for her classroom. Her fellow teachers will ask me for copies. I politely turn them down. My wife asked me about it afterwards one time... I told her I don't live with them (and all that implies)