ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area I screwed up again

Your one mistake was that your agreement was not properly made.
Your price is not at all off the mark.
As an experienced EC, the time involved in the job could be a lot more than 15 hours. But because of your pride, professionalism, and skill level you were able to do this in the 15 hour time period. I believe that is worth more than most give us credit for - as she could have had a person with less skill who may have done a horrible job.
Chalk this up to experience, eat what you have to and try not to do it again

Pierre

Big A, I think your price is very reasonable.
My instructor back in Vocational High School many years ago branded into our heads a golden rule that I try to follow to this day. It is:
When it comes to work for friends or relatives you have 2 choices
1. Don't do it
2. Do it for free

Big A very sorry on what happened. Usually friends end up paying what ever asked because there are no negotiations after work done. If she has to do this she should ask price first. If we are going to charge our friends (and we should this is our living) then we should tell up front cost of work. Now it is very bad situation because if you lower your price your self than she will say that you was trying to over charge. Bring other common friend in to resolve it and for next time you know what to do.

Electric Al, had the pricing right, your 120 is more then fair, never work without a contract or a service authorized signature on a work order/ invoice with the hourly rate posted. We follow the advice of the last post don't do it or do it for free, when frends are involved.

I never drop my original price for anyone.

That just admits that you were too high to begin with.

You have to work for friends
You can't work for your enemies

I have to admit that before I met my wife, I would let people walk all over me, and take advantage of our friendships. Helps that now with her, I can do the "good cop, bad cop" thing, and she can be the "heavy". She is one tough cookie when it comes to business. Let's me just concentrate on the installs.

Usually, the people who rate a price break are among the ones who don't ask for it.

for jobs like the ones described, if the person getting the 'mates rates' is abled bodied, I let them do all the cutting of walls, pulling of wires (including in the roof & under the floors) & cleaning up. I do all the connecting & testing of the work. My labour rates are anything from a cup of coffee to six beers depending on the job or how hot it is. I do the parts at the price I get them from the electrical wholesalers' for (no mark-up).