Advice on trading work for work

Scott R · Scott R's Garage

I've never done this before, I was a very certified mechanic for GM while I was in college, and I do a lot of side work, however I charge for it. A new project is starting, its to put a 89 350 TBI motor in his 73 truck. This type of conversion requires work to power the computer and modify the fuel system, I've done a few.

So I would probably charge about 1k for this normally, however my neighbor paints garage floors for a living, and my floor could use this. Do you think it would fair to ask him to do my over sized three car garage in exchange for the engine swap?

Jims5543 · 03-17-2008, 07:28 AM

You can only ask.

I trade all the time with clients with skills I can use. One has a landscaping company and invests in rental properties. I survey for him in exchange for landscaping, fertilizing and tree trimming.

I just swapped some work with a guy that does hurricane insurance mitigation, he inspected my house in exchange for a task on house he is building.

It can't hurt to ask, throw the idea out there and see if he is game, you might get a response that he is too busy or you might find out he is more than willing to do it. If your worried about insulting him don't be its common for people to barter trades.

asphaltgambler · 03-17-2008, 07:31 AM

It depends on how thorough and what materials /system he would use. I did my slightly oversize 2 car garage with the U-Coat-it system and I needed xtra material to finish. To really do it right there is pretty good amount of time and labor involved.

My end material costs were in the $500.00 range. If he were to prep it properly, fill the cracks with their epoxy and use enough coating to do 3 bays His material costs would probably push $900 range W/O labor.

I have three rules when trading work. 1) The value of what I receive must be at least twice of what value I would give in trade. 2) You get your deal first before he gets his truck fixed. Then make good on your end 3) Compose a simple contract for above and both of you sign and date it.

Scott R · Scott R's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Cesiro

You can only ask.

I trade all the time with clients with skills I can use. One has a landscaping company and invests in rental properties. I survey for him in exchange for landscaping, fertilizing and tree trimming.

I just swapped some work with a guy that does hurricane insurance mitigation, he inspected my house in exchange for a task on house he is building.

It can't hurt to ask, throw the idea out there and see if he is game, you might get a response that he is too busy or you might find out he is more than willing to do it. If your worried about insulting him don't be its common for people to barter trades.

Honestly I am worried about insulting him, he quoted me like $2500 when he first moved in, I told I thought that was high for a neighborly exchange.

Gogar · 03-17-2008, 07:38 AM

Just ask him. I bet he'd be all for it.

Remember you guys are really bartering the LABOR, not the material costs. Find out the cost of the materials for your garage, and take that into account. LIke asphaltgambler said.

lendaddy · 03-17-2008, 07:39 AM

Does his wife possess any special talents?

Scott R · Scott R's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by lendaddy

Does his wife possess any special talents?

If she does, I'm not interested.

lendaddy · 03-17-2008, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott R

If she does, I'm not interested.

Jims5543 · 03-17-2008, 08:05 AM

Sometimes you have to work a deal. I am more from the camp we both get what we want. There are times when I came out with the better deal and times when I took a small hit but it was time not material.

Maybe he gets really good prices on the material, you can work a partial trade or offer to buy material at HIS cost if he will install?

There is always a solution and if you two are cool with each other either you work a deal, or you do his work for cash and one day paint your floor.

cgarr · cgarr's Garage

I would go for it, anything to keep the governments greedy mitts out of it.. Kind of like the "trades" you see going on here all the time.

Scott R · Scott R's Garage

Just a word of thanks to Jim and the others that posted, it turns out that my neighbor would much rather trade work than money. He seemed relived that I asked, and he is going to do the entire garage in a high grade expoy, and he's supplying all of the paint. Thanks everyone!