Don't hire family to fix, repair, build, install, upgrade, downgrade or work in your home. Here are three questions you should ask yourself if you're considering hiring a relative, no matter how much of a 'deal' they'll give you on the price:
- If they royally screw up, who will you sue?
- If you don't like the job they performed, how can you face them at family gatherings?
- If they don't complete the job, how do you get them to finish the job without causing family rifts?
Having handy relatives that are willing to help you with a project is a whole different scenario than hiring them to do a professional job. To keep the peace in the family,
throw a work party. Prepare a wonderful meal and have them come over to help with the project (hold off on serving the beer until after all power tools are unplugged). This way it is a fun time and a group effort.
Entering into a buyer/contractor relationship with family adds a whole new level of expectation. Your expectation is equal to that of hiring an independent contractor for which you expect a professional job for the money you pay. No matter how much you love your family and want to give them a hand by hiring them, don't do it.
If you value your relationship with your relatives, and don't want to be stuck holding the bag on a less than expected performance, don't hire them.
That's my 2 cents and I'm sticking with it.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Felicia A. Williams is a freelance writer and webmaster of this website, Visit Hudson Valley.com and No Job for Mom.com. She is also the Insurance Feature Writer for Suite 101.com
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