Disagreement with my other half

[Mumma1994]

Hi mums, seeking some advice. We are getting some work done at home and my partner was at me to organise my dad to come out and do some earth work with his machinery for us. I called and asked for what we wanted don, yep no dramas. Got done within days. We didn’t discuss cost etc of getting it done. I personally wasn’t expecting it to be nothing but my partner feels that because we are family what he charged was ridiculous and was thinking free or a few hundred dollars. (Was just shy of $800) My partner is furious and so annoyed at my dad and so angry about the situation

I am not fussed and am grateful that the work has been done. Seeking advice on how you would feel in this situation? I am personally not bothered about paying my dad to help out he spent 6.5 hours here, ripped out 2 sections of concrete, cut some section on concrete and cut in 2 sections for 2 new slabs and disposed of the pathways he removed. Just awful as I feel stuck in the middle and don’t want to cause a rift in the family over something like this

Bluntly, this is why you discuss prices in advance (or don't use family members, and just pay the usual commercial rates to unrelated people). Clearly you pay your dad what he's charging you for the work. What's more concerning is what sounds like a deeply unpleasant dynamic with your partner.

I would expect family to charge minimum but you made a mistake by not asking the cost beforehand.

Obviously pay your dad what he asks and make sure you're both happy with the cost before employing people.

I think that he was raised differently so his family does anything and everything without questions, very generous etc

in my family we were given everything we needed but expected to pay our way when we could for the larger items

I think you should have discussed the price first surely !
Whah would it usually cost, is 800 a good deal in comparison?

I am personally fine about the price as I have seen my dad run his business and now how much it actually costs to maintain and run the machines. I think my partner just generally doesn’t understand though. We will be paying for the work

That’s the thing it’s not me with the issue as I know my dad would not rip us off. It’s moreso I difference in how we were raised in my eyes

Yes but surely it makes sense to ask a price first and also be able to show DH how much it would have cost with a different contractor. I do think DH is being ridiculous expecting it for free though.