Was I wrong?

About a year ago, a neighbor asks if I could build some doors for his linen closet.


Sure, no problem, when do you want them.

Well, I'm re-doing the bathroom and when I'm ready I'll let you know.

I look at the linen closet in my home and estimate the materials needed. (One of the advantages of living in a tract home.) Several more conversations over the months, the project is still on.

The neighbor thinks that the vanity is too close for an overlay door.

Hummmmmm... I take a piece of 3/4 ply, put two 35mm overlay hinges on it and have the neighbor test it. Nope, won't work. The doors have to be inset.

OK, let me check on hinges...

A month later, I stop the neighbor's wife as she is driving up the street. I tell her that the hinges are about $15 a pair and that we need 6 pair. "That's only $100. No big deal."

I got the wood (Baltic birch) and the hinges. This week I measured the opening. The doors were made this week and I installed them today.

The neighbor loves the doors, how much??? Well the wood, the hinges, a box of screws and a pack of Blum screw inserts. "Just give SWMBO a check, as she does all the banking." "Cool!"

Now SWMBO I sall bent out of shape. "Nothing for your labor?"

They are neighbors and you can't charge neighbors. Besides, I needed to learn how to install inset doors. Was I wrong?

BTW - The diagram on the hinge package was wrong. The hinges will never clip on if you install the hinges per the instructions. (LOL)

G'day Rich,
I reckon that some jobs should be done at cost.....we call them "love jobs", so you should be in the good books with the neighbours......but not at home??

I figure that doing a good turn for your neighbour is worth the effort. I consider it an investment. There will be many times when you need a hand doing stuff that you need that extra pair of hands.

Its a tough call Rich, I guess the neighbor is happy 1 out of 2 aint bad, buy her a bunch of flowers, should help her to forget the lost dollars, but then maybe you will be in trouble again for wasting money on flowers. Jon:dunno:

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Originally Posted by watson

G'day Rich,
I reckon that some jobs should be done at cost.....we call them "love jobs", so you should be in the good books with the neighbours......but not at home??

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Where you went wrong is that you didnt sort out the cost or how much you would charge before you started.

But I echo the sentiments of the others about doing a good turn for your neighbour. I cut bits of wood for my neighbour and he keeps giving me bottles of wine :D

I agree with Grunt. As long as friends, family or immediate neighbours are involved, love jobs are an inescapable fact of life. I do put the foot down at "friends of friends" though. :rolleyes:

Instead of trying to make an immediate profit, consider it a long-term investment. For example, you never know when you'll have the need to use the tablesaw in the wee hours of the night... and having a few such investments helps smooth the path. :wink:

no mate ...you know for next time, tell the mrs that it cost this parts plus my cut equals such and such, when you give her the docket that parts and time for the amount you asked. it saves getting in the :toiletjump:


i think you did a generous thing but if you like me anyway you probably be playing with it anyway so why not get costs back so you can spend more:D
toni

I'll second what the above have said except SWMBO says you're wrong and thus you are:no: it's an inescapable fact of life.:~

Mick

I have a litany of similar stories where I've done stuff for my neighbour, or given him tools and materials. It's a matter of what sort of relationship you have with them. If they're friends, then the labour's free, and the favour will be returned. I consider my neighbour a friend. I suppose that over time the ledger's in his favour, but I don't care. I can't live in debt to someone, while he's perfectly comfortable with it. It works.

It sounds to me like your SWMBO doesn't have a great relationship with the neighbour. I can understand how she feels if this is the case.

A year ago I was roped into a half day's unpaid work on a precious Sunday by the husband of SWMBO's friend. I was asked to help install an air conditioner in their investment property in Brisbane. I couldn't get out of it because of the complexities of the way I was asked (you know how it works: they did SWMBO a small favour just before they asked) I wasn't happy. :((

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Originally Posted by journeyman Mick

I'll second what the above have said except SWMBO says you're wrong and thus you are:no: it's an inescapable fact of life.:~

Mick

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Words for the ages :D

Old philosophy puzzle: If a tree falls in the woods, with no one around to hear, is there any sound?

New philosophy puzzle: If a man says something in the woods, and there's no woman around to hear, is he still wrong?:D

Joe

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Originally Posted by joe greiner

Old philosophy puzzle: If a tree falls in the woods, with no one around to hear, is there any sound?

New philosophy puzzle: If a man says something in the woods, and there's no woman around to hear, is he still wrong?:D

Joe

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Thank you, Joe. LOL! :) :D :) :D :2tsup:

I always do love jobs for neighbours, because I figure that way they're less likely to complain about the occasional machine noise (and because they're a pretty good bunch). If they insist on paying, I say the currency is red wine.

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Originally Posted by AlexS

I always do love jobs for neighbours, because I figure that way they're less likely to complain about the occasional machine noise (and because they're a pretty good bunch). If they insist on paying, I say the currency is red wine.

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Grange Hermitage?????:wink:

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Originally Posted by Iain

Grange Hermitage?????:wink:

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Nuh, he wants to drink it not invest in the stuff. :D