Thursday, April 9, 2009

askthehandyman - What to pay my brother...

Hello Maryann,

Thank you for your question! You asked for an opinion

on the cost of a job. Here was your question: "My brother is doing some handyman stuff around my house and I don`t know what to pay him. I want to be fair. He is first laying pergo in my foyer 8x10, and the hallway 31/2x13. Also some drywall repairs and hanging shelves in the garage.

I suggest you pay him at least half the going rate. If $50 per hour is typical pay him $25 per hour and be generous when you count the hours. It has always made sense to me to accept payment from friends, against my more altruistic logic. Allowing a friend or relative to pay for work that I have performed allows them to ask for additional work with any accompanying feelings of guilt. Its a win-win for all involved.

Hope this is of some help,

Thanks for asking,


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