would you charge your sibling for professional service?

[vash]

say, you were a pro landscape architect. or whatever. some specialized work. if your sibling needed your service, would you give them a bill?

immediate family? mom, dad?

i have reviewed civil drawings for family members. i never billed anyone.

my brother is trying to develope something to get a S.W.A.T. team over a wall..fast. sister is a patent attorney..

[stomachmonkey]

No charge but you should not be expected to incur out of pocket costs or be held to a schedule.

If we are talking about something that has future revenue potential then you should be getting back end points in exchange for your sweat equity.

[gr8fl4porsche]

If it is for their home - no charge for family.

If it is for a business idea, then I would defer any billing until a time when they start making money from your work. Make it clear that you will help but that you expect compensation if the idea turns into something. I tend to avoid partnerships, simply tell them you expect to be paid just like anyone else in the business world - full rates. Your benefit should not be a reduced cost but rather your enthusiasm, talent and willingness to wait for cash.

People will tend to take advantage of your generosity if you are not completely upfront concerning expectations.

[masraum]

It depends upon the service. How much does it cost you to do the service? Are you actually going to be spending money on some sort of product or fees? Are you going to have to spend 160 hours of work on this project that you won't otherwise be performing your normal work.

If it was small stuff that had minimal to no cost to me, then no (I've worked on PCs for friends and family and don't expect anything but thank you) If it was going to be so time consuming as to keep me from making money that I'd otherwise be making, then I might charge them (maybe) at a greatly discounted rate. Or if it was going to be that big a job, maybe say something like "I'm too busy for such a big project, but I can refer you to my buddy and ask him to cut you a deal."

too many factors...

[vash]

two great points i didnt consider.

i keep losing sight of the fact that my bro is going to try to make some $$ from this. i like the deferred payment idea.

just trying to prevent a family blowup.

[Zeke]

I've done it both ways. Usually a freebie first time. After that, I think they can pay me or pay the next guy. I will work for less than usual.

Last time I worked for the step son, I was taking over for a poor chap that got a serious infection and died. I never met him. It was weird finishing up another's work. Like he somehow lived on.

[M.D. Holloway]

$250 limit, beyond that that, they get charged cost only - I have taken loans form my brother and paid back at 5% interest

[jhynesrockmtn]

If it were me I'd advise bro to get a different attorney. Too much potential for bad feelings with something like this. I'd want someone working on it that was getting paid to do the work and make it a priority. Not saying the sis isn't a good attorney but if she's busy, does this go to the top or bottom of the pile when she's not charging?

[porsche4life]

It would be free from me... I'm sure I will fill scrips for family at little to no markup...

[VINMAN]

No charge for labor. Only for materials.

[looneybin]

just don't forget, if you work for free, then they don't put any value in your work

[BRPORSCHE]

I guess if anyone would bring me some a few samples of core...sure.

I have made a few pro bono thin sections. The coral always come out the best.

[Tobra]

no, perhaps my cost for supplies

[Head416]

Luckily my brother doesn't charge me for working on my 911! I used to show up with a 6-pack, but these days I usually end up drinking his beer or scotch!

(Hmm... wonder if he's gonna see this thread)

[fastfredracing]

If their work comes through my shop, usually charge them a discounted rate. I don't mean to come off as a dick, but I cannot work for free. usuallywith my brother in law, and a couple of buddies, I will try to have them come help me and do it "off the books" on a saturday or evening, but if it rolls through the shop mon-fri., then I have to bill, that is how I make my living. I have 5 brother and sisters in law, so fixing all of their cars for free would be a huge financial burden.
I of course do not charge my parents anything. I always try to take care of my sister as well, but if I have to do a large job , I will bill accordingly .
Now if it is not something that is going through my buisness, like helping them fix a lawn tractor, or helping them with household repairs, then I will gladly work for free.

[PorscheGAL]

He should offer to pay. The write ups and research can be quite intensive on patents.

[kaisen]

However your barter systems works, it has to be equitable both ways. If you charge them retail, then they charge you retail, it works out. Or free, free.

But as Mausram pointed out, if you spend 40 hours working for free, that's 40 hours you couldn't bill someone else for. At that point, if you charged $100/hr, and had enough work to keep busy, it's exactly the same as writing them a check for $4000. Why not just write the check? Econ 101: Opportunity Cost.

I do plenty of free work. But I do get paid back in other ways, if nothing else than feeling good that I helped someone out that needed help and couldn't otherwise afford it. Being charitable is okay. It all works out in the end. Karma

[Turbo_pro]

No charge, ever. Even if it meant coming out of pocket.
I see working for family as a pleasure.
I love my family and would no more charge a brother/ sister or their kids than I would my wife. Mom and dad goes without saying.

[Por_sha911]

If there is no cost, for personal use, and a one time deal then there is no charge. If they want if for business or it is going to keep going (like maintaining yards) then discount. Also, be up front and tell them that you will help them but paying customers have to come first. If they want it done "yesterday" then they need to pay the going rate or close to it.

[A930Rocket]

I don't mix family (or friends) and work. Too many things to spoil the relationship....