Well that feels awkward

[muttleynfelix]

My dad and I are in the same business in different states.  We have different specialties and he called me up and asked me to be a subcontractor for him on a project.  I said sure. It is something I do for one of my boss's friends in another state and right up my ally.  I talked to my boss and asked him if he wanted me to do it on my own time or if he wanted it to go through our company. My boss was fine with me doing it on my own time. So, my dad emails me and asks me how much it will be.  My salary rate is $31/hr but since I'm going to be a contractor - pay my own taxes on it, I told him $50.  I sat there and pondered over it.  If we were billing out as a company, my typical billing rate is like $85/hr, but we would bill him at the same rate as my boss's friend which is $60.  I sat there and pondered it for a while and the total number is only $500.  But it felt weird telling my dad I'm going to charge him $50 /hr.  I wonder if he spit his coffee out when I came up with that number.  

Anyway, good number or bad number?  I told him we could negotiate.  He just needed a number to put in a proposal.  

[Bonny]

He's making money on this deal right? And it's for another person?

I'm guessing he's calling you because he knows you're good and reliable.

You probably gave him a bargain.

[ArchietheDragon]

You should have quoted him $85. 

[muttleynfelix]

He called me because his local guy fell through.    Yeah, he'll be making money on the project.  He takes his proposal to the board on Saturday.  If he gets it, we'll be spending Thanksgiving and Christmas talking about the project.  

[mrnewengland]

I'm sure he's already disappointed in you as a son.  Don't worry about it.  

[muttleynfelix]

My dad just emailed me back and said he had budgeted $2000 and that my $500 was unreasonable.  

[muttleynfelix]

Sept 10, 2014 10:09:52 GMT -5 mrnewengland said:

I'm sure he's already disappointed in you as a son.  Don't worry about it.  

Well, I'm his daughter, so yeah, I'm probably a huge disappointment as a son.   His son is in the same field as well, just doesn't have my specialty. 

[mrnewengland]

Sept 10, 2014 10:11:51 GMT -5 muttleynfelix said:

Sept 10, 2014 10:09:52 GMT -5 mrnewengland said:

I'm sure he's already disappointed in you as a son.  Don't worry about it.  

Well, I'm his daughter, so yeah, I'm probably a huge disappointment as a son.   His son is in the same field as well, just doesn't have my specialty. 

For the record... in case it wasn't obvious... I was joking.  

[yogiii]

It was a typo, you meant 5k but as a favor to him you'll do it for the 2k budgeted

[Deleted]

Sept 10, 2014 10:02:06 GMT -5 Bonny said:

He's making money on this deal right? And it's for another person?

I'm guessing he's calling you because he knows you're good and reliable.

You probably gave him a bargain.

Yep.  He called asking for a subcontractor's price to put in a proposal, not a friend to help him move in exchange for pizza.

It's tricky sorting this stuff, but it's already $10/hr less than your boss would give his friend, and $35/hr less than your company's going rate.  

If he wants a family favor, you can clarify that and take it from there one way or another.  If he wants a subcontractor, it sounds like you're already giving him a very good deal.

Just my opinion.  As long as people are clear about their fees and expectations, I'm fine with it all. 


Adding because I just saw your update:  Dang... not sure what he expected, given your company's going rates... 

[muttleynfelix]

I think he's expecting to take more of my time.  Not real sure.  I told him he was being needy if he thinks i'm giving him $2000 worth of work since all I'm suppose to be doing is calculations, rough design and review final plans.    I'm not even sealing the plans since I'm not licensed in that state.  He's agreed to seal them.  

I am consulting him through the process and reminded him of a permit he hadn't thought about.  

[muttleynfelix]

I think it feels a little awkward because the last time I worked for him I was 22, a college student and getting paid $10/hour.  

[muttleynfelix]

Anyway, I better get back to my full time job and get a few things done since I'm leaving at noon today.  

[ArchietheDragon]

Sept 10, 2014 10:23:55 GMT -5 muttleynfelix said:

I think it feels a little awkward because the last time I worked for him I was 22, a college student and getting paid $10/hour.  

He also used to change your diaper and wipe your poopy butt. 

[zibazinski]

I'd be surprised if he did, judging by some posters.

[muttleynfelix]

Sept 10, 2014 10:24:34 GMT -5 ArchietheDragon said:

Sept 10, 2014 10:23:55 GMT -5 muttleynfelix said:

I think it feels a little awkward because the last time I worked for him I was 22, a college student and getting paid $10/hour.  

He also used to change your diaper and wipe your poopy butt. 

Actually, he never changed my diaper.     He's not exactly proud of that, but when we try to get him to change one of his Grandchildren's diapers he says he didn't change ours and he wasn't going to change his grandchild.  To be fair, when I came along, he had taken a part time job with the county and was starting up his own company.  

[zibazinski]

That's funny. I told DF I was never changing another diaper unless it was actually my own grand child's. So I may never be changing a diaper again. 

[muttleynfelix]

The weekend of DD's baptism, he got her out of her crib and she was leaking out of her diaper and he didn't notice it.  He was holding her and cuddling her and I was like, umm Dad you've got poop on you and he was like "oh, oh well".  He was fine getting pooped on, just don't make him change a diaper. 

[zibazinski]

Hack! I am NOT fine being pooped on. I'd much rather change diaper and avoid that fun.

[Regis]

So I'm curious...do you carry your own professional liability insurance muttleynfelix?

[muttleynfelix]

No, my company carries it for me.  When I do hydrology calculations for the guy out of state, it all falls under his seal (so his liability, not mine). I'm only licensed in Missouri.