WOuld you remove for free?

**VERYOLDGUY** · 06-04-2013, 08:40 AM

You guys been doing this a lot longer than me. Question is more of a ethical question.

Have a guy needs a shed torn down. Small shed take maybe an hour for the tear down and an hour for hauling.
Old post type construction and he does not care if I chainsaw off the poles.

The roof and sides are tin. Maybe 300 lbs or so. (about $30 here.)
He said I could have the stuff inside (nothing good except it is scrap steel and iron). About 2 tons worth.
$400 or so. (Shred is still paying $.10 per lb).

He is willing to pay me to do the tear down. I can dispose of all of the nonmetal for nothing.

Should I charge? I really don't feel right charging him, but what do you guys think?

**cummins** · 06-04-2013, 09:04 AM

I would, 60 bucks just to cover fuel and tool cost, last shed I did I cook 3 sazall blades and it took an hour, and I got.10 lb for the baling couple Weeks ago

**Tcgs** · 06-04-2013, 09:25 AM

You wouldn't ask if it didn't.

**mikeinreco** · 06-04-2013, 10:34 AM

Wasn't there a post a little while back that said Metal Removal is Free Demolition is NOT!!!.....Charge him for the removal of shed and haul the metal away for free

**Libertytow** · 06-04-2013, 10:36 AM

no i wouldn't charge him unless things went sideways or it would take an exceptionally long time to dispose of everything

**BurlyGuys** · 06-04-2013, 02:24 PM

I, representing the Filthy Capitalist Pigs of the group, charge for everything.

I don't know how you free removal guys survive.

**Ecycle Atlanta** · 06-04-2013, 03:24 PM

From experience I would charge him because there is ALWAYS something unexpected that comes up which costs more than you anticipated. If you are fortunate enough to get the job and make far more than you would expect, return some $$ back to the guy when the job is done. That always is a good way to keep the customer extremely happy and ease your conscience. I do the same when I eBay an item and my shipping costs are far less than listed...I usally refund a little back through PayPal and it shows well in my rating comments.

**DiamondN** · 06-04-2013, 04:11 PM

If he is a good friend, I'd probably do it for a case of beer, as you're gonna make money from the scrap. But a total stranger, I would have to charge for my time and expenses.

Good Luck...

**RustyDollars** · 06-04-2013, 04:41 PM

Small shed take maybe an hour for the tear down and an hour for hauling.

Oh how nice it would be if things would go as planned! LOL! When I state a time publicly like that things never go as planned. It would start off with the chainsaw deciding to not start, or maybe there's electrical that needs to be disconnected, perhaps you hit a nail and need to resharpen the chain, maybe you run into a wasp nest or a nest of skunks, or even worse...SNAKES!!!!! Point is to plan for the unexpected. Quote a price that gives you some wiggle room. You can always refund a little if everything goes smooth.

Good luck!

**scrappy888** · 06-04-2013, 04:45 PM

if he is willing too help, then no..if hes unable to then I agree that a case of beer sounds fair..

Burly, would you charge your dad or other relatives??? Sometimes its fine to help those out that you know, love, and respect..

Guess im just "minnesota nice"...

**msmoorad** · 06-04-2013, 05:30 PM

i think you should just be clear with him
say that u will not charge him anything
except if the things mentioned above happen
then you will have to charge something

agree on an amount
if you will be spending quite a bit of fuel-them tell him u want X amt for fuel

if he is a fair & sensible person, im sure he will not expect you to work for peanuts

**hobo finds** · 06-04-2013, 06:44 PM

Tell him you would normally charge _________ for this type of job, but as you are doing him a favor, it will only cost him the gas and equipment costs for blades etc.

**Jonniebrass** · 06-04-2013, 07:11 PM

If someone offered payment and the scrap also I would take both because as stated above you need to cover cost and make a profit.

**DiamondN** · 06-04-2013, 07:18 PM

Originally Posted by msmoorad

if he is a fair & sensible person, im sure he will not expect you to work for peanuts

...although peanuts with beer is a different story...

**Tcgs** · 06-04-2013, 08:13 PM

There is no profit in friends or family.

**BurlyGuys** · 06-04-2013, 09:38 PM

Originally Posted by scrappy888

if he is willing too help, then no..if hes unable to then I agree that a case of beer sounds fair..

Burly, would you charge your dad or other relatives??? Sometimes its fine to help those out that you know, love, and respect..

Guess im just "minnesota nice"...

Of course I would not charge a relative for a SMALL job. Larger job they have to cover my expenses.

Mom says drive me to the store, no problem. Mom says drive me to Phoenix we have to have a conversation.

**bigdog72** · 06-04-2013, 09:55 PM

if i feel i am making enough off the scrap i wont, you can always use good karma by helping someone out

**jghilino** · 06-04-2013, 10:10 PM

$400 for 3 hours of work, tearing down, loading and unloading at the yard, i wouldnt charge if you do you might end up losing the whole deal and any future pickups/referrals

**TheDude80** · 06-04-2013, 11:54 PM

With what you're making off the job and the little time it should take, provided everything goes smooth, I wouldn't charge him. Provided it's not going to cost you an arm and a leg in gas. Referrals and repeat business are what keeps any successful company in business. Just my thoughts....

**GeorgeB** · 06-05-2013, 12:23 AM

I know I will get flak for this, and I honestly dont care.

Stop thinking about the future potential business that may or may not come. Seriously...is that going to feed you tonight? No.

You know what the price of metal is in your areas (I wish I was different. Here it is a stinking 7.5 cents a lb!)...anyways, calculate all your costs, and subtract it from the gross profit you will make.

I am with Burly, I am in business to make money, plain and simple! Family, friend, it does not matter to me. Family and friends will at least cover my expenses, and labor if I have to bring in a helper.

Sooner or later, most of you will realize that free is not always best, no matter where you live.

WOuld you remove for free?

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