Don’t work for friends, family or neighbours.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks for watching and supporting the channel, please like and subscribe. See you next time👍🏻

[@nota8386]

I think we all know that the ULTIMATE insult was that it was Fosters lager!

[@markhitachi]

i’ll tell you one that happen to me. i do car bodywork for a living. a friend asked me to take a look at his wife’s car as she had scraped the back bumper on her car at time. so i drive roughly 15 miles to the house look at the car. take the back bump off drive home again repair & paint the bumper drive back again a few days later. fit the bumper. the wife wasn’t there. the husband says she’s away shopping she’ll ring you later about what she owes you. i said ok. now bare in mind i was out the price of the paint, primer, lacquer etc. probably £60 roughly.. i never heard a word from any off them again wouldn’t answer my txt msg or phone calls. i was shafted big time. you dead right rob don’t do anything for family & friends.. all the best for the season ahead.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

That’s terrible, people can be awful. Thanks for watching and your comment.

[@dalydetailz2120]

Hi Rob. I feel your pain mate. I have lost so many friends because they seem to think I'm some sort of a charity. How anyone can expect you to spend all day working, and swallow costs to your business for the waste removal, is beyond taking the piss. But, we live and learn !

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks for watching and your comment Kev. Unfortunately people take a lend. 👍🏻

[@lpatterson5005]

Absolute shit heap of a human man a crate of beer that cost probably £15.. for a days graft nuts

[@g.williamswilliams8442]

My sincere sympathy and total empathy mate. I'm a sparky, and have been in a very similar situation... they use the " Wife " as a blocker.. In reality they know exactly what they are doing, it's very crafty teamwork between husband and wife..... Absolute Shysters... In my experience,... long story short, I spent a whole 5 days wiring up a new kitchen for a mate,.... I got absolutely fuck all for my time.... he used the " Mrs won't be happy card"... Twats.. We live and learn

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks for watching and your comment. Your so right, we live and learn. 👍🏻

[@chrismaplethorpe6781]

This is why i dont do electrical jobs for people any more. Cable alone is a big expense before adding on other materials then the work involved chasing walls out then plastering afterwards. So just refuse now. I just use the Part P excuse now. Dont have it or need it due to working on heavy industrial stuff.

[@six7529]

Blokes like that need a damn good slap

[@HeathMaintenanceService]

On starting out on my own for the first time in my life I was eager to take on everything and anything. Scared to turn things down. No experience of pricing work up. Looked at a side on picture of a conifer hedge. I didn’t bother going to look. Guessed at how long it would take to cut to the ground. No thought on how I was disposing of the waste! And stupidly said I would do the lot, taking waste and all. Not even got a van sorted yet! Got there and told him I’m going to have to walk away. Eventually agreed on a price to cut to ground level and he would organise removing the waste. Painful! But lessons learnt that day!

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Great comment, thanks for watching. All the best .

[@tilerman]

'Don't work for family or friends'. You can say that again. And not only that, being a van owner i regularly get asked 'oh, can you help pick up and drop off (enter white goods/large furniture item)' Thing is when i do it's not me helping, it's me doing.

[@janejohnson7120]

Totally agree. You know what you are worth and people just prey on your good nature. I personally would have emptied the waste bags back on his property!

[@pablo9364]

I have had exactly the same. Ask yourself what sort of person would prey on your good nature??? How must that person think to do that. It infuriates me !! Thank god we do not think that way 🙏

[@barrymichaels2663]

I know exactly what you're talking about mate, people will always try to take advantage of you no matter what.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Your right Barry. Thanks for watching.

[@kebabtank]

I think the old saying goes "When it comes to money, you know no one" That includes jobs on the side and personal property. I am a former landscape gardener, and when I had the van, friends and family would contact me all the time to help them out. I really should have been a lot firmer with some of them. I won't go into the personal property side of things, but all I will say is: Never lend tools to anyone, ever!

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks for watching and your comment. Your so right.👍🏻

[@The.Omnipotent.1]

Neither a borrower nor a lender be. Valuable advice my mother was told by her mother, then told to me!

[@jameswyeth8223]

@@The.Omnipotent.1 I got the same advice i stick to it too.

[@robertlees7528]

Sage advice. My late dad always said to me you are far too accommodating. Over the years this has led me to being a taxi service money lender and the worlds best shopper...quoted to me prior to being given a shopping list. Family and friends!!

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

We all need to learn to say no. Thanks for watching and your comment.👍🏻

[@anthonyosborne1089]

Absolutely spot on Rob, I've always had the same policy as a gardener myself. It never goes well, apart from your Mums as you say, when it's a chance for a nice chat and usually a meal together.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Spot on.👍🏻

[@410142109]

You usually find people who want something for nothing have plenty of money!.

[@davidfrench1619]

A friend in need is a pain in the arse!

[@davidjohnson4802]

I can relate to this. I work in the pest control business i started doing favours for certain neighbours and treating their problems. This was the worst days work i ever did .....I had people at my front door at all hours asking for work to be done then never having the cash on them to pay. The final straw was when I was going on holiday and loading my luggage and kids into the car , when a very shirty woman came over and started demanding that i treat her next-door neighbour's rat problem. ...NOW... I had never met this woman and told her to phone a local company as I was going on holiday. She then stormed off saying she would not be recommending me for future works !! Needless to say, I have moved to a new house and do not do any local work . My personal life is now my own.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Pleased it’s not just me, thanks for watching and your comment.👍🏻

[@matthewsmith2787]

Sounds like a right Karen that lady.

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

I’m a bit late to this one! 🤣 But totally agree. For some reason there’s an expectation that manual workers like us, or lower paid workers, are fair game to haggle down, to ask for favours or the old chestnut, ‘while you’re here, can you just…’. But at least the conversation isn’t quite as awkward when you don’t know them. It’s the same with tips. Taxi drivers and waiters seem to be the accepted receivers of tips. Gardeners on the other hand - not so much. I can’t think of any other reason than historical precedent. You can’t really say a taxi driver has put more effort into a particular job! But yeah, I also avoid working for people I know for the same reasons as you do. Great story.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you , appreciate your comment and thoughts.

[@piercegalligan]

Brilliant story. That's why I always see what they want done and then say to them the price before I start.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

I agree with you, lesson learned. Thanks for watching and your support .👍🏻

[@gjclark2478]

Been s/e gardener and grounds maintaining since 2001, I can relate 🙄 I reduced a beech hedge for my brother who lives in a national trust house and it's hedges had to be kept immaculate. Trimmed it on the Saturday thinking it was job done but the parish councillor said it was not low enough, and my brother asked me to lower the hedge by another two foot........ I did the following day (a Sunday) with loppers and chainsaw, it was another full days work. Thinking I was going to paid a mates rate to cover fuel, wear and tear and a few beer tokens, I was offered a family barbeque............ Never again 😕

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Great comment, we live and learn.👍🏻

[@lewisdean22]

My father asked me to help him lay some slabs for a path at a church , my father wasn’t getting paid and was being asked by his then daughter in law. The path was about 40 metres long and the auld slabs had to be lifted and new ones put down. We spent all day Saturday on a day that rained non stop for about 10 hours to get it finished for the Sunday. My father got a lovely letter from the minister for all his help and to thank his helpers, i went a bit crazy and said just a helper , never felt so under appreciate. And not one tea or coffee or biscuit .

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

That’s terrible, thanks for the comment.👍🏻

[@tonysmith8379]

That's a bad experience indeed. I've had my fair share of crappy experiences. You lose time and money. And also spend days feeling upset about it. The Only positive is it's a learning experience. Be careful not to let it happen again. Cheers from Australia.

[@patrickwalsh7178]

Rob not all friends and family/ neighbours are like that. My mate two doors down has his own little one man gardening business and I get him to help me when I need a hand, I always pay him straight away. Rob but I do know where you are coming from--those tight wads are all over the place, they do not see the effort etc that goes into not only getting a business started but paying your own bills. From what you have said on here you have learnt a valuable lesson, good luck to you they won't catch you again.

[@tropmaj]

I love his get out clause "the lass won't be happy" enough said!

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

We live and learn, thanks 🙏 👍🏻

[@jameswyeth8223]

My mate has a saying to blokes who are under the thumb ! "Take your bollocks out of your wife's handbag" lol

[@TheGreyGardener1990]

Shocking from that bloke. Steep learning curve as you say, and at least you got a video from it!

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Cheers mate.

[@jonwatson654]

Remember once I did a job for a young couple, friends of friends. I said it would be about £400. I broke a bone in my foot falling off a ladder on the job. Went back the next day and finished the job with a moon boot on in agony. I invoiced them £450. They made such a fuss about the 'extra' £50, I just walked (hobbled) away. Told them not to ever phone me again. I was raging. I actually know tradesman who ask for a reference from prospective clients before they'll work for them. In my experience it's cowboy clients not cowboy tradesman.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

I agree with you 100 percent. Thanks for watching and your comment.

[@jamesshanks9338]

Good video Rob. I did several visits to a particular Customer, just small maintenance work. They did pay and gave me lots of LAUDETS. However I believe that because they knew me things became to familiar if you get my meaning? I did another visit earlier this year and charged them £120: for the work carried out, ie; hand weeded all the stoned areas, trimmed up some small Ornamental Conifers and redifined all the edges of the Lawn. I was due to go back and do some more work. I made contact with them and when speaking with the Wife she said that they thought it was a BIT DEAR 😡. She said her husband said that I charged them £30: an hour as I was there 4hrs, I said I was there 5hrs plus.I came off the phone and I said I don't want to ever work for these people again!!! The Moral of it all, FAMILIARITY BREEDS CONTEMPT. Regards Jim from J.S.G.S N.IRELAND.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Great comment Jim, thanks. It appears that we all go through the same issues. Your so right, don’t get to close to customers, we run a business not a charity. All the best. 👍🏻

[@tilerman]

A friend of mine wanted some work done and as we are both tradesmen, i suggested that i will give him 4 days for his job, leaving him owing me 4 days. He disagreed. Because he considered his trade to be above mine, he said he would owe me a day and a half. He actually said that and i felt embarrassed for him.

[@cjbrad2582]

Oh yes rented my house cheap to a friend paid every month as agreed till he moved out no problems it can work. Next a family of long term friends moved in charged them a cheap rent as I thought I could trust them everything went sort of OK for 18 months, then didn't pay the rent. So I was going to get them out till their friends beg me to let them stay and they paid what was owning in arrears, stupid I did so. Over the next 3 months I got £200 in rent and paid £6000 to put the house right after they moved out. And to top it off I was the bad guy from my so called friends. Fingers burnt big time.

[@COLLECTORSCORNER1979ANT]

TRUST NOONE.ONLY THOSE WHO PROVE TIME & TIME AGAIN TO BE DECENT GENUINE HUMAN BEINGS.

[@jameswyeth8223]

Good but sad story Rob its amazing how some chancers sleep at night, great for you to put in a video for people, I've come unstuck by not viewing jobs and under charged, i look at all jobs now. Years ago one of my first customers (big garden tidy) told me she didn't see why she had to pay for me to rake up and bag the waste only for the trimming time ! so wanted to deduct money. We had a debate she did pay but couldn't understand why i didn't go back lol.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

People equals problems, not all but a great deal. My view is , difficult customers get let go. Thanks for watching and your comment.👍🏻

[@noswaluk]

It’s funny I have a very similar story to yours. I’m not a tradesman but like cutting my lawn. I got a new next door neighbour asked me if I could do his as he worked off shore. He said he would pay me. So one Sunday I cut my lawn then carried my lawnmower over to his got my big extension lead out to reach his house using my electric. Took me over three hours to do his front lawn and the two back ones. There in a big slope too. Thought to myself when he says how much what should I say. I had a good think and though it’s worth A minimum of £30 iv missed half a day seeing my daughter and used my electric to cut it. If he gives me more it’s a bonus. He came round my house when he returned from work with 4 cans of Stella. Unlike you I just smiled and said thanks. Raging inside.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Great comment, we live and learn.👍🏻

[@AndrewSmith-el5fs]

This has only worked out to my benefit once in 4 decades gardening. Quite recently a pal wanted 'advice' on a new lawn, which I gave, he did all the work and I agreed to put down the turf. He did a good job prepping, just a fine tune with the rake and we were away, he bought every turf to me from the front to the back of the property. Went and did first cut for him and he paid me well over the odds considering he did all the hard graft - I felt sooo guilty !! Weird but you kind of expect to take a hit on that kind of job. Nice change though !

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks for the comment Andrew, we live and learn.👍🏻

[@kellbell9416]

No favour's for neighbours. Love it. Very true tho. Great advice for anyone starting a business venture. 👍🏻

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks Kell, all the best. 👍🏻

[@befree9579]

Yup avoiding arguments or holding grudges long term isn't worth it! Always have a system to deal with these situations so your are at PEACE. Set rules for ur business once you get burnt. Your energy will then be focused on doing your job properly and growing it.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you 🙏

[@Hunter-type]

Think you have dealt with it really well by sharing your story here.... hopefully he will watch this and muster some empathy at last....

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

You might be right. All the best.

[@letsgetdigging7418]

Well said rob, I am busy trying to ditch friends family and neighbour jobs I’ve took on.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

It’s the only way. All the best.👍🏻

[@AlanMcCarthyguitar]

As a tiler and guitar teacher I hear you , I ve been a fool far too often in this regard, hating myself for being a mug , great channel you have here , interesting talks and content

[@charliep6533]

Good vid mate,you have to ask why friends and family want you to do their work. They’ll say because they won’t trust anyone else but they’re really after a cheap price 100%. Did a job for someone close who was on at me for ages to lay some paving and can well afford to pay the going rate, I’d reckon if it was anyone else it would have been £2k plus for labour. When they asked I said it’s ok,thinking they’d pay me £500 or something and I’d have been happy with that as I just wanted to get the job out of the way.After all the wows and plaudits I’ve received the grand total of zero. So your bang on with what your saying👍

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks Charlie, everyone learns the hard way , I certainly did.👍

[@robertmcgloan1257]

I always hated friends and family getting me to do jobs for them . its the mate Rate they are looking for . and once you have done the job cheaper for them to help them out . no sooner have you finished and they are parading a new car or a foreign Holiday. and they wearing you like a badge telling everyone how cheap they got the job done

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Couldn’t agree more.👍🏻

[@rjp666]

Hope you kept the Fosters. Reminds me of a Hedge cut I took on a few years back it was 40 metres long by 3 meters high , I stupidly looked at it one winters evening after dark. The following week I turned up with my tools then my heart sunk to the lowest level ever and my jaw clunked on the toe of my boots, their before me stood this menacing PYRACANTHA with thorns the size of spears 😱😱😭😭😭 I returned home that evening looking like a pin cushion that had fought the battle of all battles . Never quote for a job after dark.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Pleased it’s not just me, thanks for watching and your comment.

[@david21968]

Best advice is to make crystal clear the price and what is expected (with all customers including friends and family)

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

I agree Cameron, thanks for watching .

[@walesdad]

I've been a bricky all my life, now near retirement, and I learnt the hard way many years ago. I was out of work at the time, I'm probably going back to the late seventies, and money was tight. My mother said that some family friends wanted a garden wall built at the front of their house and would I do it. Of course I would, a job for a couple I'd known for years, nice and local, all pound notes, what could possible go wrong? Being young, eager and bloody daft, I dived right in. Three days later, and being too bashful to mention money, I finish the wall. Still no mention of money from me and certainly no mention from them. The male half of the couple was giving me a lift back home and I thought that when we get back to my house, well then he'll put his hand in his pocket. No fear of that, just a "...thanks a lot " and that was that. Didn't even get offered a slab of 'Fosters'. I got out of the vehicle and walked into the house, mad at them, mad at myself and if I'd have had a cat I'd have kicked him where the sun will never shine. Told the "Old Lady' to never ask on behalf of friends of hers again and I've always tied to stick to it. Simply not worth the aggro and advice to any youngsters starting off ? DO NOT DO FAVOURS !

[@infinitesky-59]

And loading out, knocking up and laying bricks is one of THE hardest types of graft you can do. I learned the hard way too, did a days work for a relative while unbeknown to me her husband was making silly videos of me. I didn't find it funny...years later I helped him out on a job and spent WEEKS chasing my money. Never again.

[@ciararespect4296]

Why didn't you demand money or just kick the wall down? Don't kick cats

[@thomasdolby3371]

This is so true and I think your attitude is perfect I’ve been burned many times and I never learn taking something from this

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks for watching Thomas, all the best.👍🏻

[@marshman5319]

I’ve been a Gardner self employed 27 years this year and my 2 golden rules 1 never work for family and friends/// 2 learn to say no...the latter being hardest of the two especially when you start out 👍

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

I agree with you 100%. Thanks for watching and your comment.

[@marshman5319]

And I still can’t spell gardener 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Blame the spelling auto correct, that’s what I do. 👍🏻

[@mitch3683]

Never a true word said👍done loads a favours for friends and family, just feel like I’ve been mugged off. If I ever have a mate do work for me, I pay em well and £10- £20 tip for a beer!

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Cheers Mitch, we live and learn. 👍

[@mickbrooks8114]

Simple answer don't do it

[@tracer1127]

I don’t know how I stumbled across this, but here’s a few words of wisdom. As a bathroom and kitchen fitter I wouldn’t even change a tap for someone without looking at it first. Sure if it’s a small job and you want to help someone out that’s great but never be a busy fool.. your price is your price, you are not a charity’s and if they can’t afford you they will have to look elsewhere. Never loose sleep about how much you charge. The cheaper guy might not want to live the same lifestyle as you. The amount of times I hear so and so will do the job for this is unbelievable. I always say well if he is so cheap and can do you a good job why have you asked me to quote on it.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Great comment thanks.👍🏻

[@0000stuart]

I just came across your Chanel . I'm a gardener up in Glasgow . Years ago I was £15 a hour . A customer messaged me to do her garden a few years after I'd charged £15 ... She didn't ask for a price . I did her overgrown grass ( 2 bins worth standing on the bins ) 4 ft off the bk conifer hedge , trimmed the front conifer hedge . 5 hours work + I took waste away in my truck , I said £110 ( to cheap ) She was on the phone saying that's to expensive ... She said she could go to £45 ! & If I sent my details she would transfer it ... I was so angry I said I tell you what since your not happy with the money call it free . People say I'm good & fair , I'll never forget & she lost a good gardener .

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Your so right Stuart. We run a business not a charity. Good luck for the rest of the season.👍🏻

[@0000stuart]

@@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices I'm just heading out , I'll definitely message you again . I'm lucky enough to be kept going pretty much all year although I do look forward to becoming a bit quieter in the winter as the body gets sore & needs a rest 🙂 I hope your business is going well 🤞

[@starman1969]

I know the feeling. Down the years I did a few jobs for friends of friends, and some of them didn’t go well. The worst was working all day to tidy a front & back garden. It was a difficult job and I also had to get rid of a ton of rubbish. The customer wasn’t happy and never paid me a penny, despite all I’d done. On top of that, I had to pay my friend £80 for helping me, and another £20 for the tip.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

We live and learn. Thanks for watching and your comment.👍🏻

[@stoneynspidey421]

Hey Rob, cheers for your insight. I've started up in Essex, and doing nicely. One of my customers is my next door neighbour, lovely elderly lady. I followed your advice, set my price early and have to say a year in we get on better now than before. So glad I saw this. Cheers for now

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks for watching and your comment. All the best.

[@MattWright-yg8jd]

I've run a waste removal company for the past three years I echo your thoughts completley. Friends family think I can just sling something on the van for peanuts, and get rid, and occassions expecting it for free like you said the only person I will do something for free for is my mum. All the best pal 👍👍

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Wise words. All the best.

[@olliebob8370]

I did a job all day on a Sunday, spent all day, he was over the moon, he said “il pop round later” I said “brill, no worries” he came round mine with a ruddy cake 🤣

[@paul756uk2]

Yeah, been there. If they gave it to you in cash it'd barely make a quid. There's no shortage of people like that.

[@ourtwotube]

My neighbour is a glazer/window/door/lock fitter, I have had him in a few times for jobs, every time he's laid i'll do it for £x amount, I've always said to him to do it for his asking rate, exactly because I understand people have bills etc and I'm not looking for mates rates, I'd just rather give the work out locally, always pay cash. That's how we should treat each other with businesses.

[@vinimaguire8109]

Yep ...been there done that too ..Ended up doing a whole day landscaping and tip run for a family friend who said she'd pay me soon as they sold the house and got settlement. Found out 2 months later it was a rental

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

That’s terrible, thanks for watching and your comment.👍🏻

[@monkey5459]

Excellent advice! I've been involved in the 'you do a job for me and I'll do a job for you!' scenario before and it never works out amicable and can spoil a good friendship in the long run. Thanks for the video and good luck with your business 👍

[@nathanieldavis1168]

Great to see you learning from that lesson. Thats wisdom. The lesson was worth the petrol and disposal charge - can't even get that on a MBA!

[@noswaluk]

Just found your channel tonight. Was only going to watch one video and two hours on I’m still here. Love your honest stories. Your a funny man. Good luck with everything.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks for watching and your comment.👍🏻

[@peterhaigh5764]

Yes rob been there done that I’m a self employed decorator what I hate is Neigbhours asking me to do work for them. too close to home. They have no idea what the rates are when you tell them it’s £180-£200 a day there gob smacked But we’re all living in the same street they know what it costs to live why am l different? we have a trade or skill but they think that we are getting the same pay as them who are working in a coffee shop on paye! We’re Self employed van to run, fuel, materials, accountant to pay, 20% tax, stamp, insure a van, maintain it. They’ve no idea! Sorry for the rant I’ve had a couple tonight By the way great content! 😀

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Great comment, thanks for watching Peter, all the best.👍🏻

[@hugostieglitz238]

Best advice to any soul traders out there!! Family are the worst believe me.. I have the same ethos.👍👍

[@philtaylor5137]

What your saying is bang on the money . Mates rates are a bit cheaper than normal rates , not working for free on your days off

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Cheers Phil.

[@adrianbrewer1708]

100% with you. Thanks for sharing Rob. All the best. Adrian

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks.

[@johnsweeney1712]

Great video. Rob that’s a great story if a bit painful for you… we call them “God Bless You” jobs. You handled it well in the end, learned your lesson, it might have saved you a bigger fall further down the line.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

It was painful at the time. Taught me a great lesson. 👍🏻

[@MrLittledirector]

Good advice Rob 🙌

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks David.

[@taximan200]

You’re quite right, I’m a black hack driver in Glasgow and a long time ago I learned not to pick up friends and family, was being mucked about so many times on a busy Friday or Saturday night. Only done it a few times but in the end I was losing money and time running about after them. It’s not worth the hassle…

[@geoffvalenti]

Good advice, Rob I'm a musician and I get asked to play, all the time, by not just friends and family but strangely by members of the public, who expect you to work for free, or cheap "because you enjoy it!" They don't grasp the fact that it's my living and although I try to make every experience in my life enjoyable, at the end of the day it's still work and there are lots of places that I'd rather be if I'm not being paid to play. As amateur musicians, they may enjoy their hobby, but to me it's work and whether I enjoy it is definitely secondary to getting paid. Most people glean some enjoyment from work, if they don't they're in the wrong job, but making work bearable or enjoyable, doesn't mean that they shouldn't get paid. Never work for friends and family is definitely one of my work rules. I don't mind being blunt with members of the public when they ask me to work for cheap, or free, but it's too easy to end a friendship or cause a family upset when you expect to be paid for work, and they expect you to do it for free, because "you like doing it"

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Great comment, thanks for watching and supporting the channel.

[@aidenbiden5597]

I remember a job I done for a friend clutch change on a van. Carried out the work he picked the van up and said cheers end of the week once I’ve got some money I’ll pay ya quoted £450 that was for parts and labour so new gearbox oil three piece clutch kit brake and clutch fluid flush was on the job a good part of a day. It’s been 11 years I’ve had a kid since then and still no sign of the money I cut contact after a year of waiting

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

I hear you . Thanks for watching and your comment.

[@smoketillyoudrop1]

I always remember once bitten twice shy, I remember the good customers but I will never forget the bad ones, life is a learning curve even at 51 for me. Keep up the good work mate love the videos 👍👍👍

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks Ian. Great advice. All the best.👍🏻

[@thetruthk5138]

That's true you can have 99 brilliant customer's and 1 stinker. But we all tend to dwell on the bad one as humans we just cannot cope with negativity and not being treat correctly/fairly and I believe it to be true whatever age we are !!!

[@tc9308]

100% right rob if I have to work for friends I actually quote more

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Great ideas Tom, thanks for watching. 👍🏻

[@mattwhiting2923]

Love the videos, starting out this April on my own. Videos have been helpful.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks for watching and your comment Matt. Good luck with your business and let me know how you get on.👍

[@mattwhiting2923]

@@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices Thanks, yeah will do.

[@mattwhiting2923]

Also off to college to get qualified in horticulture and strimming and hedge cutting.

[@boyakka79]

You are a decent humble man and clearly learnt from your lesson.Hope you get loads of work and good advice given to all.Cheers Steve.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Cheers Steve. 👍🏻

[@gardeningintheheart1692]

That is a hard wake up call. I have had a few. As self employed gardener. Thanks for your videos.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Cheers Adrian. Thanks for watching.👍🏻

[@troweltalk2719]

Brilliant video pal never a truer word spoken got the T shirt on this 1

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks for watching.

[@tonyhodgkinson4586]

Lesson learnt Rob, I just wanna five ya a good hug because there ain’t many chaps would admit to that. I’ll add my neighbours a sparky and I asked him what he would charge for a couple of sockets fitted, he said he didn’t want anything but after the job i took him round some cash as a thanks, he never spoke to me after that for ages. Nought strange as folk.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Cheers Tony. We live and learn. Thanks for watching and your comment.👍🏻

[@wearejames1]

Great video, I think you either do it for nothing, if it is a very small job, if you know they can't afford it, in the the hope they give you a small payment/token gift or will hopefully recommend you to someone who is willing to pay you on your terms. Or let them know you are in business and need to earn a reasonable rate to cover overheads and your valuable time from the very beginning. Doing a job, then talking money, is the wrong way around IMHO. If they want the job done cheaper, they could offer to help to reduce your time and therefore costs. Unfortunately some people just don't think any further than themselves and if they are friends and they treat you like that, well they probably not what I would call good friends. Yes, I can see why you did it, I think we have all be caught out like that, but a lesson learnt the hard way, but now well remembered with new rules 👍

[@billlovett5987]

If family or friends ask me to do the job I will just give them THE BODY SWERVE Good video from the USA

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Great advice.👍🏻

[@raymondboakes]

I enjoyed that story Rob ,been there got the badge,your so right in the end you just say no sorry,I'm too busy .Some people try to take the urine,if you let them.Keep on trucking mate.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Cheers mate.👍🏻

[@stgr3577]

Love it love it love it 👍👍👍

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you .

[@williamburgess4732]

There are many of us with you, learn from our mistakes.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks William, appreciate your comment.👍🏻

[@matthewharrison2307]

Great Video! I have learnt this lesson recently by taking on a decking job for friends, the money was good but working for friends can put a strain on your relationship. Luckily we are still friends now, but there's nothing worse being on a job with people keep looking over your shoulder criticising your work, especially when it's a friend! In the end I pulled myself and my worker off the job!

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Pleased it’s not just me Matthew, thanks for watching and your comment.👍🏻

[@matthewharrison2307]

Can I ask have you done a video on how you price up different types of jobs, from basic cuts to full on lawn care?

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Hello Matthew. I haven’t as yet. I am not an expert, I charge double to scarify as it takes twice as long as a cut. Sometimes more if the lawn is really bad. I have done light scarifying jobs during the summer where I charge the same as a cut because there isn’t much to take off. As for weed and feed , my general rule is £20 for up to 125 sq m. After that I play it by ear. I only treat the lawns I look after, that way I don’t have to be aggressive with the weed and feed. You can add more later without charging the customer. I hope that helps. 👍🏻

[@stephengreen6338]

hi Rob, i can t change my nature, i am glad you learn, and adapt, because i would leave a job thinking they were going to be fair, and pay me a fair price, na mates rates to mates is next to nothing, but do ya know what, i would say never again.......and then weeks later i would get bitten again, thinking it would be different, all the best

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks Stephen, we all learn the hard way. All the best.👍🏻

[@adamkelly3924]

Yeah had that few times. Problem is i have been too nice to Friends and not ever agreed money. Just assume they will sort you out a fair days money. Was helping a long time mate with his patio recently for a whole day of laying. Got a KFC and a few beers out of it

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks for watching and your comment Adam, we can’t work for free. All the best.👍🏻

[@mcpheesgardeningservices]

Ahhhh mate you have nailed it.such great advice my policy early daysI learnt very quickly .Never do neighbours or friends because the expectation of price never matches .I even do not ask my mates for their work as they would feel the same even though you offer to pay ,I just ask them do you know anyone that can do it for me so if the put themselves forward its on a commercial basis,I cannot not put it there any clearer we are a business not a charity we have to charge a good rate ,not a workers rate because we have to run the business, pay overheads before we even start making a wage then we need to make a profit as well.. Its such a great video mate and you do inspire me to keep going with mine.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks Jeff, yes you must keep making videos. Your honesty and experience shines through. Looking forward to the next video , you are a bad influence though. After your last video, I am now looking at a back pack blower to support my hand held. Your costing me a fortune. All the best.👍🏻

[@mcpheesgardeningservices]

@@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices hahaha yeah I am like you I just quietly put them in the shed she never knows lol I have been caught a few times ...my father in law god bless his soul advised me happy wife happy life and always and I mean always say " yes my love anything you say " gold ...you will not regret the back pac blower mate awesome unit and stick to the main brands in my opinion

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks Jeff, I am looking at the Stihl b 600. Off to mow a few lawn so I can pay for it. Take care.👍🏻

[@RobertTaylor-om4cc]

There are some hard faced gets around I used to get this all the time when I had my own gardening round. The worst where folk who got your number off a friend of a friend you come out give um a price you do the job then they say I ain't paying for that you ain't done it right.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks for watching and your comment.

[@oldthumper802]

Well said, I've fallen into the same trap, different business though but same thing. It's just a pity you had already stowed all the waste in the van 😉👍

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Your right. All the very best and thank you for watching.

[@craigwilliams6734]

Great video! I wonder how many people have been stung like that…? You live & learn I guess.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Cheers Craig.

[@garrypepperman]

Cracking storey, but very true and lessons learned

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Absolutely. Thanks for watching and your comment.

[@skellyste6050]

Ya bang on mate same as money an friends ya done thth right thing ya cud ov lost ya head strat to fight or out

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Your right, thanks for watching and your comment.👍🏻

[@granty4955]

Well said 👌🏻 great advice - enjoy your Chanel 👍🏻

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks for watching and your comment.

[@RealCptHammonds]

Amen brother! Doing business with anyone you know will ALWAYS end badly!!!

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

I totally agree with you. It’s difficult dealing with family and friends. Thanks for watching and your comment.👍🏻

[@heytony4162]

Sorry that happened mate! That’s a difficult situation. I’m glad the lesson that came from it saved future nightmares like that though!

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you . We live and learn. All the best.

[@bobbelsekwol]

I started off just doing friends and family. It was then their friends and family that employed me. It was so hard to say, "I know I charged £10 to cut the grass but for you it's £15 or £20". In the end, slowly but surely, got rid of all the bums who didn't want to pay for a quality service. Great bit of advice though, especially if you've got a decent client base. I still cut my mum in laws grass and she pays because she says she can ask me to do other stuff and not feel embarrassed. Hope the rain stopped! It didn't here in Wirral.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks for watching and the comment. Your right it’s difficult to up your prices when people know what you charge other family members. Good luck with your business. All the best. Rob. 👍🏻

[@davidjohnson4498]

I'm a painter and decorator ,my Mrs works at Asda ,she is forever coming home with phone numbers from people who work there expecting cheap decorating ( usually while the husband just sitting watching TV)

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

People are unbelievable.

[@johnbellamy6449]

When I was a child my dad had a friend who came over on a Thursday evening, in the 1960s. They went for a beer. Dad's friend Jim asked dad if he could get 4 Morris wheel discs re chromed. Dad had them done and paid for them, 1pound for the four. When Jim took them home on that Thursday evening he said. I will pay you next week. He was never seen again. Friendship lost for 1pound.

[@1977JohnBoy]

if he drove a morris he probably didn't live long enough to pay a week later lol

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Great comment, thanks.

[@outoftownr3906]

Here here. Very wise words.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks for watching.

[@andrewweston8354]

Well done mate really enjoyed

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Glad you enjoyed it thanks.

[@christopheradams7158]

Another great video Rob I've been there a thousand times unfortunately 😕 😢

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks pal👍🏻

[@MyScottyboy1]

I'm always "Snowed under", "too busy", or "it's beyond my skill-set".

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Pleased for you .

[@gdfggggg]

TOO BUSY LOVE, is my go to excuse.

[@jasonhewlett1283]

Familiar story there Rob, on a smaller scale with me fortunately . But we have all been there ! 😉

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

I am pleased it’s not just me . Thanks.👍🏻

[@davidmartin7695]

Been there , definitely don't work for friends and family I've been self employed 25 years took the first couple to learn my lesson

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Couldn’t agree more David. Thanks for watching and your comment. All the best. 👍🏻

[@SoleSolutions-c6m]

Getting great advice and tips think your doing a great job here seem like a man who wears his heart on your sleeve and tells it like it is, a smart man learns from his mistake a smarter man learns from an other man’s mistake 😉 so sincerely thank you because aswell as sharing your successes you also discuss some short comings which adds great value for others and fast tracks people learning curve like myself who are new to this so well done 👍👍

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks 👍 appreciate your kind words.

[@leeguest4901]

Been there lol great vid my friend

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks for watching.👍🏻

[@williammorris7895]

Our industry seems to suffer with convincing customers of value more than other trades. Only time I work for friends is when it's the type of job that I lack photos for in my portfolio and I take it on for before/after photo potential. My idea of 'mates rates' when I'm the one paying is to pay the price, with a bit on top. They've done a good job, and I know I've given their business a boost.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

I agree 100 percent.

[@ginggur17]

Bang on mate, bang on. 👍👍👍

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks for watching and your comment.👍🏻

[@SonofChurchill]

Some people! I had they expect full pay doing a job for me, but in return working for them talk about mates rates or after job just hand money less then quoted. Found out hard way. Don't work for them or give a hand. Your 100% Maxwell

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks for the comment.👍🏻

[@alias-_unknown9999]

The best policy. Great video buddy 👍🏽

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Cheers Mate, thanks for watching.👍🏻