How much to charge ?

[leafman60]

It's a good topic for conversation Dusty, but you are obviously battling conflicting emotions or you wouldn't have floated the topic. Clearly you don't want to be seen to profit from a friendship, but you also have to think of yourself. If it was a good idea, the answer would present itself to you and instantly look attractive. I'd take the earlier advice and go for a ride in the opposite direction. No matter what you do, you will end up cheating either him, or yourself. Most likely the latter...The only way I see that you can keep your conscience intact, is to help him for free and only accept what he offers and leave the mental wrangling to him, you're the one doing the work.

Ditto

[oldbike54]

 You guys do understand this is a business deal and not based on friendship , right ? Never said he is a friend , not exactly sure how anyone came to that conclusion . Honestly, what happens after I leave is not my problem , he asked me to come , and indicates he is willing to pay . I am only interested in some fair recompense W/O seeming greedy .

 Dusty

[Bill Hagan]

You guys do understand this is a business deal and not based on friendship , right ? Never said he is a friend , not exactly sure how anyone came to that conclusion . Honestly, what happens after I leave is not my problem , he asked me to come , and indicates he is willing to pay . I am only interested in some fair recompense W/O seeming greedy .

 Dusty

I suspect that I am not alone in inferring that an "old acquaintance" would be a friend, as I have no one who in the former category who is not in the latter.

Good luck, however, in sorting out the answer to your basic question.  The "friend" aspect notwithstanding, you got some good counsel here.  Hope it works out for you.

Bill

[mgmark]

An old acquaintance is considering putting a restaurant in a small town in Eastern Tennessee 
 Thanks

 Dusty

Out of personal interest, what small town is it? There are some pretty small towns over here that couldn't support a lemonade stand.

Mark

[RinkRat II]

 I look at it this way, Dusty. You have to come up with a number that your time and knowledge are worth. Doesn't matter if it's a job in Tennessee or for the guy up the street. Your skills and knowledge are worth X, Multiply X by the number of days you need to and quote him a price in total lump sum. As was said, keep it simple and always give a discount for  Benjamins!

      Paul B

[redrider90]

Without seeing the place and without a floor plan I think a lump sum is not a good idea.  Dusty may be walking into a barn find of a job without a chance to see it beforehand.

[PJPR01]

Sounds like this old acquaintance is thinking that you'll get some pleasure out of riding 3 days just for fun, which you were not planning to do...so time, money, aches and pains all have to be factored in.

If he's hiring you to come and do a job, it's entirely your decision on how to get there, whether it be flying, taking a Greyhound or riding with overnight stays.  He'll have to give you some idea of what he's wiling to pay you...either $200 bucks for a plane ticket or $200 bucks for gas/lodging/food...

Once on site at the job, charge your acceptable rate (what you would charge for anyone)...enough that you are getting fairly compensated, and if you decide to ride to and fro, you've got enough pocket change to get you back home.

[cruzziguzzi]

East Tennessee? I assume he already knows that guinea hens and pork quarters are not an option as compensation....

Really though, to not overstate the obvious, if this is not going to be a familial/personal accommodation on your part - the number starts with your out-of-pocket expenses at 100%.

Having that number on a piece of paper as a rigid base upon which to build a bill goes a long way in clarifying your outlay and determining the remaining billable space to fill between what is fair compensation for you and what he can, or is willing, to afford.

Sometimes for me, the non-negotiable reimbursement number queers the deal from the get-go and keeps things from getting out of hand before they can even get rolling.
Gotta have that bed-rock number first.



Todd.

[bigbikerrick]

Best idea, so far!   

I second that! 
Rick.

[Tom]

Maybe a scouting trip before you did on the job?  How you get there and how you live while doing the job is your concern.  Contract first.  1)  After that 1/3 down, 1/3 while working and 1/3 after the job is done or 2) he pays on a weekly/bi-weekly basis.  No pay.  No play.  Liability for both parties for contract performance.  The only problem with scenario 1 is if he balks at final payment.  Now you have to sue from out of state.  Someone with a better legal mind should jump in.  "Calling Bill Hagan to the white courtesy phone."

[Huzo]

Ok mate. Just imagine you hate his guts and work the price out on that basis. Bet your ass you don't have as much internal grappling.  He must be a bit of a mate or you'd hit him with the figure and not give a bugger what he thought ...

[Tom]

Uh......yeah.  What he said.  :1:   

[Pop]

I say go on a motorcycle trip in the opposite direction and don't get involved. Keep friendship and business well separated.

I agree with him, stay away and stay friends. By the way, 6 hour days!!! I got a real laugh out of that. Put a 1 in front of that 6.




"No good deed goes unpunished"

[oldbike54]

I agree with him, stay away and stay friends. By the way, 6 hour days!!! I got a real laugh out of that. Put a 1 in front of that 6.




"No good deed goes unpunished"

 Trust me , I know about those 16 hour days . But this is simply helping set it up , it won't be open yet . Once again , we aren't friends , his sister worked for me 30 years ago when he was a 12 year old boy , haven't really seen him since . The morals and details aren't important , I have worked for many people across my area , but this is more of a consulting gig .

 Dusty

[ridingron]

Before the money part is settled and you are going, ask a couple questions. Who is pulling permits and on who's license? Yours, his or a local? If the work doesn't past inspection who pays to redo it? It's a small town, don't want to piss off the locals before you get the place open. Spread some of the money around.

I guess the first question I would have to decide is are you ready to part ways in a bad way. Hopefully not but ....

[Texas Turnip]

Before the money part is settled and you are going, ask a couple questions. Who is pulling permits and on who's license? Yours, his or a local? If the work doesn't past inspection who pays to redo it? It's a small town, don't want to piss off the locals before you get the place open. Spread some of the money around.

I guess the first question I would have to decide is are you ready to part ways in a bad way. Hopefully not but ....

Dusty can  confirm that in this part of the c ountry we know nothing about permits, licenses, million dollar insurance policies, written contracts, etc.

Tex

[blackcat]

If he is paying you on an hourly basis, which is what I would do, then there is no liability on your part. He is supplying the material, tools and basically direction(setting up kitchen), then this is his project. Decide on an hourly price, based on local norms and go from there. The fact that you're not really friends makes this easier in some respects. I would email him all of your requirements before departing.

JMO,based on being a general contractor for almost 30 years.

[oldbike54]

 Well , I sent my requirements re money and housing . $150.00 a day plus $100.00 a day travel . There will probably be a motorbike to fix also , he has purchased an old airhead , unfortunately I'm not the mechanic that Guzzisteve or Rodekyll are , but will muddle thru . Sound fair to you guys ?

 Dusty

[redrider90]

Well , I sent my requirements re money and housing . $150.00 a day plus $100.00 a day travel . There will probably be a motorbike to fix also , he has purchased an old airhead , unfortunately I'm not the mechanic that Guzzisteve or Rodekyll are , but will muddle thru . Sound fair to you guys ?

 Dusty

$150/ as long as you do not work 10 hour days. Overtime should be separate in the contract. Heck you are going to be jack of all trades, plumbing, electrical, carpentering, trim carpentering  and even then $150/ 8 hour day is low.

[blackcat]

Based on a 8-9 hour day? Sounds fair to me, given what I assume is a lifetime experience in the business.

[RinkRat II]

 Dusty, As long as your comfortable with it, it should be a positive endeavor. You already know this but beware of farm animals included in the payment

      Paul B

[oldbike54]

 

 Dusty

[Tom]

and.........you have to fix a motorcycle too!  Too low. 

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

When I do 'consulting' of this type, I charge $1k/wk, minimum 2 week engagement, plus milage & lodging.. EVERYTHING ELSE i write off in taxes

Like you, I don't do it full time, it is extra $$ for me or something I actively pursue between gigs

Two summers ago I worked on 2 restaurants & did some catering gigs over the summer, I made almost as much in 4mos as I could in a year as a 'working chef' (almost all of the catering was 'under the table' tho)

[Tom]

This inspiration for a new thread.  See General Discussion.