DH not wanting to help family member

[girlmummy25]

So I have a cousin whose house is in a poor state and the electrics need looking at as the lights keep flicking or not working, turns out could be water damage to the cable.
My cousin doesn't have spare money for the repairs etc and her money is really tight with 4 kids, so my mum has asked my DH whose a qualified electrician (although electrics isnt his job now) to go and have a look and do the repairs for free basically.

My DH has met my cousin maybe once or twice and im not close to my cousin at all really, DH has said no he is too busy and he doesnt do electrics anymore and sounds like it could end up being a big job. Her house is about 35 minute drive too.

Is DH being unreasonable? I dont think so but I believe my mum thinks he should do it?

If she has home insurance claim on that if there has been water damage, or contact Environmental Health at the local authority to see if there are any grants that might be accessed for essential works.

Don't do it.

It's not free though is it.

In fact there's a cost to your husband as he will have to lose out on his money from his new work whilst he does this for your cousin who he doesn't know.

If it was a close friend or family member then that would be different.

The problem with electrics is that it can take a lot of work & disruption trying to trace back a fault.

Electricians don't have superpowers which mean that they can see that the fault is being caused by a bit of damaged cable behind the dresser in the dining room.

Of course once one fault is identified there may be others which will then come to light.

If the wiring is quite old or had dodgy DIY done on it then a full rewire may become necessary.

Does DM expect DSIL to do that for free?

Funny how so many people think this guy has more responsibility for the children than their mother.

Husband is not being unreasonable at all. It's his choice to offer help. Your mum can pay for someone to help cousin if she wants..