When we lived in our previous house, we wanted to add backsplash in the kitchen. Our neighbor flipped houses for a living and was a licensed real estate agent, so we considered hiring him. However, we had seen others experience the drawbacks of hiring someone you know, so ultimately, we decided against it. If you’re considering hiring a friend or relative for a job, understand the risks you’re taking.
The Drawbacks of Hiring Someone You Know
Hiring someone you know might seem like a good idea, especially since the person may give you a discount on the work. But what you save upfront may cost you more in the end, both financially and personally.
You May Not Research the Person
If you’re hiring someone you don’t know, you likely research them before you hire them. You might read reviews online, consult sites like Angi, and ask others who have used the person for their jobs what their experience was with the person. However, if you’re hiring a friend or relative, you may skip this step. After all, you trust the person will do a good job. No one wants to think their friend or relative does shoddy work.
This may affect you if he isn’t the best person for the job.
He May Cut Corners
When you hire a person you know, he might give you a discount, but with that discount, he might cut corners. For instance, my cousin, Lauren, hired another cousin, Justin, to make a patio of pavers in her backyard. Justin didn’t take the time to smooth the ground before laying the pavers. He assured Lauren they would settle into place. It’s been a few years, and the pavers have not settled into place; instead, they are bumpy, uneven, and unsightly.
He May Delay the Work
If your friend or relative is a contractor, for instance, and has other paying clients, he may push your work to the back burner while he attends to others. Of course, this is understandable if it happens once or twice, but if your work is always pushed back, you may have to wait weeks or months for him to complete the project while you live in a perpetual work zone.
Awkward If Something Goes Wrong
If something goes wrong, you must choose between righting the situation or saving the relationship. For instance, my aunt hired a friend’s son to do some work with her well. Unfortunately, the son made a mistake, which cost $1,200 to fix. However, he didn’t want to pay that amount because he had already given her a discount on the work.
My aunt was mad, but she knew she would jeopardize her relationship with her friend if she pushed the point. Ultimately, my aunt and her friend’s son split the cost of the error—each paid $600 towards it. However, my aunt learned her lesson and has decided never again to hire an acquaintance.
Final Thoughts
While hiring someone you know may save you money and seem convenient, consider the drawbacks. You may end up unhappy with the work but unable to say anything because you don’t want to jeopardize the relationship. Hiring someone you don’t know who is a reputable worker may be the wiser choice, even if doing so costs more money.
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