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Original poster

Customer work and asking for payments

13 replies

Lacky301 · 30/08/2024 07:39

Dp used to do a fair bit of work in people's houses mostly plastering or tiling he is very good at what he does however he left the work and now does a full time job doing something completely different however he does do the occasional work for old customers but usually just takes small jobs he can do on one weekend day and it's quick money which is good for us as finances can be tight.
Anyway there is one person who dp has known for some time who dp has done alot of work for and this person only ever wants my dp to do his work as he trusts him and knows dp does a good job he also picks and drops dp off and provides food and snacks to dp. Dp in return does do his work at quite a cheap cost which saves this person alot of money. Him and dp are on friendly familier terms.
Sometimes this person's jobs can go on for several weeks and sometimes extra work gets added on.
The issue is that sometimes dp asks for a bit of money as he goes along and this person is extremely slow at paying it and dp will have to remind him and he still delays despite that when dp asks he tells dp yes I've no issue he also at the end of a day never asks dp do you need any money today.
Is dp been unreasonable asking for smallish amounts as he goes with a final amount on completion dp gives up his days off rest time etc to help this person out. Thoughts please.

OP posts:
Original poster
Lacky301 · 30/08/2024 07:43

I've also told dp that he needs to be straight stronger and lay down terms with regards to money with this person but the both of them I feel are not communicating properly.
But now I'm wondering if dp and his good nature are been taken advantage of.

OP posts:
Bloodymenmen · 30/08/2024 07:45

It's up to DP how he runs his side business and asking for regular part payments (staged payments) is normal if that's what works for him.
If the client id too much trouble than he's worth and DH has alternatives, don't do any more work for him.
Is your DH a people-pleaser though? Or is this non-payer friend or family? Never mix business and pleasure is usually sound advice..

Original poster
Lacky301 · 30/08/2024 07:51

Bloodymenmen · 30/08/2024 07:45

It's up to DP how he runs his side business and asking for regular part payments (staged payments) is normal if that's what works for him.
If the client id too much trouble than he's worth and DH has alternatives, don't do any more work for him.
Is your DH a people-pleaser though? Or is this non-payer friend or family? Never mix business and pleasure is usually sound advice..

Dp does like to please people yes and we both need money desperately at times anyway.
They are quite friendly terms but only in the work sense they are not mates who spend anytime together etc the only contact is when this person wants something doing.

OP posts:
SaltAndVinegar2 · 30/08/2024 07:53

He's being taken advantage of. Why give up free time to do cheap work for someone who doesn't respect him enough to pay him promptly?
He would be better off charging more to someone who pays.

Original poster
Lacky301 · 30/08/2024 07:54

The person does pay eventually but it's horrible having to keep pushing for it.
The last work dp did for him went on for weeks and it was the same having to remind them for the part payments and then the final payment took reminders as well. They normally say they was tired or busy or forgot.

OP posts:
LittleOwl153 · 30/08/2024 07:55

A few people I know with side hussles like this just have a day rate now. Payable at the end of each day if need be. Could he try that - increasing the cost to this person if that makes sense in the market? I don't think the picking him up/dropping him off is worth much discount unless you'd have to take him or it's a long distance anyway...

shoofly · 30/08/2024 07:56

If your husband is uncomfortable asking to be paid, can he approach it in a slightly lighthearted way? Eg "mate, I'm only giving up a Saturday because we need the money?"
The friendly part of it only seems to apply to your husband if the doing the work and the paying are all on the other persons side. He needs to rebalance the relationship.

Original poster
Lacky301 · 30/08/2024 07:56

SaltAndVinegar2 · 30/08/2024 07:53

He's being taken advantage of. Why give up free time to do cheap work for someone who doesn't respect him enough to pay him promptly?
He would be better off charging more to someone who pays.

Yes I was wondering this.

OP posts:
Original poster
Lacky301 · 30/08/2024 07:59

shoofly · 30/08/2024 07:56

If your husband is uncomfortable asking to be paid, can he approach it in a slightly lighthearted way? Eg "mate, I'm only giving up a Saturday because we need the money?"
The friendly part of it only seems to apply to your husband if the doing the work and the paying are all on the other persons side. He needs to rebalance the relationship.

He did mention when asked to do the work that yes it helps me out.

OP posts:
ShortScot · 30/08/2024 07:59

next job request,

Hi,

Happy to come out and give you a quote at my usual discounted rate, however circumstances have changed and I now require 50% payment upfront before the job starts and 50% on completion. If this works for you, let me know and we can figure out a start date.

Original poster
Lacky301 · 30/08/2024 08:02

Dp prefers to price the whole job as one but I think the issue is that him and this guy are not communicating about what dp expects to be paid but this guy knows by now that dp likes money as he goes along so he should expect that dp will ask here and there it's never loads just say £150 occasionally.

OP posts:
Original poster
Lacky301 · 30/08/2024 08:04

ShortScot · 30/08/2024 07:59

next job request,

Hi,

Happy to come out and give you a quote at my usual discounted rate, however circumstances have changed and I now require 50% payment upfront before the job starts and 50% on completion. If this works for you, let me know and we can figure out a start date.

I agree with this dp needs to get his business head on unfortunately he does a great job but this is what's lacking with him.

OP posts:
FawnFrenchieMum · 30/08/2024 08:10

Lacky301 · 30/08/2024 08:02

Dp prefers to price the whole job as one but I think the issue is that him and this guy are not communicating about what dp expects to be paid but this guy knows by now that dp likes money as he goes along so he should expect that dp will ask here and there it's never loads just say £150 occasionally.

This is the issue, you can’t really make the terms up and you go along.
Next time he needs to be clear when quoting. Ideally I’d go with 50% up front and 50% at the end.
TBH it would do my head in paying bits at a time.

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