Or is DP over 'mates rates' for decorating?

[GillBear]

Moving into a house that needs a fair bit of work in a weeks time and also expecting a baby in 2 weeks.

I would normally do the decorating myself but think I'll be out of action for a while!

DP's brother is a painter & decorator. He lives up north and work is pretty thin on the ground so he struggles.

We live in the south west and have had him and his assistant down to help us paint in the past. He stays with us (we feed him) and charges £130 a day not including materials for himself, then that again for his assistant.

He's said he can come down and help with the new house but he wants more money as the week would include a Sunday and bank holiday, so £300 a day for the two of them not including materials. We'd also pay for their diesel.

DP says it's fair enough, even though they only charge £80 a day each up North. He says his brothers doing us a favour, but I think it works both ways as we're giving him work he desperately needs. DP says this is a horrible attitude and I'm taking advantage of his brother by not paying what he asks for.

Am I being a hormonal cowbag?

''I understand he's working away from home and would like more because of this, I kind of agree. ''

Sorry op but that's nonsense. He can claim expenses such as petrol and food when he submits his tax return.

Yes have quotes and invoices and it's all paid through his business account so he is taxed on it. I need these as much for my records as he needs them for his.

If you're putting him up why is he charging more?

If we buy together and/marry in the future,

This is your problem now -

Holy shit that is ripping the arse clean out of it OP. Get some local quotes and show them to your DP.

I can't believe the price some people pay for decorators! Makes me so glad to live where I do!

Another saying get local quotes.
One issue with having "family" working for you (his brother) is that if there are problems with the quality for example you will find it very difficult to sort it out amicably and also he won't be able to "call in" to fix any issues.

I have used friends before and it usually ends badly as the proper business relationship isn't there.

If the local quotes work out dearer then at least you KNOW you're getting a reasonable rate - add in food and a chunk for accomodation when comparing.
There are websites where you can get quotes - like RatedPeople.com etc

If he claims expenses such as fuel and food does that mean he doesn't pay tax on them or what, how does it work?

I seem to remember him asking for cash last time!

They are absolutely taking the piss. Dh is a painter, I think he does 10 quid an hour for 'acquaintances', proper mates probably half that

Gillbear this is bonkers!

Mates rates means getting a trade at cheaper than market value because the trader is your mate and doing you a bit of a favour by reducing their profit margin.

What you are describing here is daylight robbery and quite honestly makes no sense. Employ local - you will save money and have a convenient contact for future work. There is no benefit to you in going ahead with your OH's suggestion - none whatsoever. You have a baby coming, start putting yourself first!

As for the rest of it, I really think you need to consult AnyFucker forthwith.

It's my understanding that fuel expenses (45p per mile) etc can be taken off the tax bill.

gill if your dp can prove he pays towards the mortgage he has a stake now. You need proper legal advice soon. Youre havjng his baby, he can obviously prove he isnt the lodger. And i dont like his attitude.

Gillbear, this is so far from reasonable it beggars belief! I'm a qualified Electrician. If I charge my mates for any work it's at a very reduced rate from my normal charges. When I was self-employed things like weekends and bank holidays didn't compute. They were just days in the week to earn money.

Your OH's brother already charges you nearly double what he would at home, and also has no additional expenses as you seem to cover everything else.Now he and his assistant(although if he's a decorator as well how is he classed as an assistant not another decorator?)want even mor. If £80 at hoem covers his needs why do they suddenly shoot up with you? Sounds like your OH is getting paid for working on your house, (wonder how much HE is over-charging you?), and wants to feather his brothers nest as well.....at your expense

You seem at times to have a bit of a business head but this one has lost you. As said he claims fule, lodging etc back on expenses. No final cost to him.

As others have said I would get a local company to quote. Then compare.

I don't pay tax on my milage, don't think anyone does.

I sometimes do paid decorating. I charge £15 per hour. No food or lodgings obviously! Paint would be extra but I would pay my own petrol. This guy is charging too much by far.

And paying him cash probably means undeclared to the taxman

Did he provide receipts?

You need to stop spending money on decorating and use it to see a solictor. Your legal situation is unclear .

You say you pay your DP to work on your house . Is he your tenant - do you have a tenancy agreement and he pays you rent ?

Why would he have no claim on the house if he pays some of the bills and has worked on it ? Do y have invoices to prove that you pay him ?

Are you taking more that 2 weeks maternity leave ? If so, is he suprising you and the baby during it? And what about the money that you will lose towards your pension ?

Are you going back to work FT? If not ,what about your pension and promotion prospects ? Is your DP paying for half of childcare ?

You have MUCH bigger problems that decorating costs. And BTW mates rates are £100 per day for a man and £50 for a boy, as you are providing accomdation and food .

Ha! Yes this one does 'elude' me slightly. Baby brain perhaps? Desperation to get the place habitable combined with the 'grey area' business/family/money of not wanting to fall out with his family.

Are you getting 'mates rates' from your partner for the building work?

Or is he taking the piss aswell as his brother?

Get local comparison rates for the decorating AND the building work.

Of course I mean supporting you and the baby , not suprising you.

Though his rates are suprising

I'd ask him to come on a normal working day. If he's scharging you extra because it's bank holiday then that would suggest it's because you've specifically asked him for those dates. s it is, it's his choice to come then, not yours, so he shouldn't be charging you extra for it.

The whole thing is a complete piss take. I'd steer clear and tell your partner you don't want to work with family because it causes these exact type of problems.

Also, if he's short on work then he needs to drop his prices anyway. Supply and demand. FWIW every builder, electrician, plumber and decorator I know is so stacked out they're turning work down at the moment. So I'd guess either your BIL ask crap or is too steep.

Maybe it is your partner's way of giving money to his brother without giving a handout. You need to discuss this with your partner.

If you want the work completed in two weeks you might find it difficult to find good, local decorators who are available. But you'll only know if you ask. Then choose the option that offers you best value - quality of work, guarantees and ability to make good any defects, future relationship, cost.

Also, I'd have thought a bank hol weekend is exactly when a trades person might choose to fit in a job for mates, as they won't be doing their usual day job, so it's extra work - therefore they make a small profit, rather than a loss, by offering mates rates (just above cost).

If he's short on work during the week, he's free to offer his time then at mates rates, not commercial ones.

If he wants to be at home over the bank hol, he needn't offer you that weekend.

If he's offering his normal commercial rate, plus some, and is not booked up, you get your pick of his normal working days that are available, surely.

He wants it every way, doesn't he! Wants to come at the weekend. Then wants out of hours payment because it's the weekend!

Hmm..

Its typical to pay more for someone to travel and stay away from home if you are wanting THEIR services specifically over someone elses.

SO if you hire me as a dog behaviourist and I have to travel 100 miles and stop in a hotel to see you - you pay more than if you hire joe bloggs round the corner.

But - you are putting them up, and you are feeding them, so thats at least half the reason for the higher fee taken care of there.

You are also hiring them rather than someone else because they need the work and you are doing them a favour - NOT because you specifically want them or they can do a better job than someone local.

So pay them the average going rate for your area, plus materials - thats it.

If thats not profitable for them given the cost of travel then tough luck, if it makes no sense for them to travel for work then thats how it is.

Giving people work thats not financially viable is not helping them, and giving people work but paying ridiculously over the odds for it is just a hand out, be less hassle to give the guy a hand out and hire someone local!