Prairie~Phlox Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 My dh is self employed. He's a contractor & this past month he helped friends out that took a whole week of his time unpaid (they said they would pay him at some point, but he never billed them and told them to give him what they thought it was worth, they both make ok money) not a huge deal, whatever this was a few weeks ago & nothing yet, I'm at peace with that, whatever. Then he had a floor job last week and was supposed to put the toilet back on today. They called last night and said there were "problems". These are people that I know from homeschooling. He went today and there were some spots in front of the sink that did not look great and had edging marks, so he had to try & fix it, but he's not happy and said they probably won't be either. He said he will probably need to redo the whole floor & isn't even sure about billing them. I have bills do next week and now no money. I know God will meet our needs and I'm trying not to be upset, but this really hurts right now. Plus our anniversary is tomorrow. Happy anniversary to us. After 19 years you would think life would be easier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneStepAtATime Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 So so sorry! That's terrible. Hugs to both of you and hopes for better things to happen very soon. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unsinkable Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 ((((Prairie-phlox)))) I'm so sorry. That is so stressful. I hope the first family pays something soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 I'm sorry. It's tough when things pile on like that. Please tell me they are at least paying for the initial work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Impish Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavandula Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 My emote button won't work but I would put the hug one if I could! I am so sorry you're going through this. Would you or him feel comfortable talking to the friends? When Dh didn't have a very stable job he did things on the side for people and sometimes they wouldn't pay but usually came through when we needed it if asked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasmama Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 (((hugs))) My dh is self-employed, as well. There are brutal ups and downs, and things can change overnight on one person's whims. I understand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umsami Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 I'm sorry you and your DH are going through this right now. Happy Anniversary. :) I would call them regarding the money and all the time the project took. I think that if you don't, that will weigh on the friendship anyway….so better to be up front about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 I agree to call the first family with a gentle reminder. As someone who is in a family that also makes "okay money" sometimes it's hard to remember that the money we owe someone may be more urgent for them than it would be for us - that paying now versus in a few weeks is no big deal if it were my family, but that it can be for others. Hugs. I hope a way opens and it works out. And that you enjoy your anniversary despite anything else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prairie~Phlox Posted July 1, 2014 Author Share Posted July 1, 2014 Trust me, the first family knows our situation, they are friends from church that we see twice a week. They make ok money, but don't always manage well and are working on it, they reassured us they would give us something when they have it, it's just not as soon as I need it probably. Dh really doesn't care if they pay ot not, he doesn't see it as big of a deal. This second job is what is harder to swallow. That's money I was counting on for bills. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 I'm sorry. I was married to a self-employed carpenter. It's very hard, very humbling, and I thought it would get easier too. It's also very hard to know you're doing the right thing about billing and "bugging" friends for money and know that you're the one who ends up suffering on the financial end. However, I still believe that doing the right thing even when it hurts so badly is still the right thing and it will pay itself back in the end. I wish patience for those people you may need to call about delaying your bills. I wish you love to see the honorable, honest work your dh is doing, and I wish you better financial days. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plink Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 Is the edging fail something that you are responsible for (refinishing marks from a poorly maintained edger) or something that you can work through the manufacturer for reimbursement (new laminate with defective edges)? We have had lots of products fail, and the companies are usually good about replacing the product, and sometimes we can even get labor reimbursement. Your DH will still need to re-install the floor, using up time that I'm sure he already has scheduled out for the next job, but any reimbursement is worth the effort to pursue. ETA - Oh wait, you are talking about a bathroom. Unevenly snapped tiles are hard to repair. Pulling out just one or two can be done, but to be honest we usually end up breaking several more tiles around the problem area in the process, and in a small bathroom it might be faster to just start over. Ugh. hugs and sympathy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unsinkable Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 Self-employed people shouldn't have to beg for their paycheck. And that is what it comes down to, when services are provided but payment isn't rendered. I'm so sorry, PP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjand6more Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 I have so been there. I HATE when dh works for people we know. hugs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prairie~Phlox Posted July 1, 2014 Author Share Posted July 1, 2014 The floor was a refinsh on engineered hardwood, it was edging marks from his edger, I'm assuming his fault, he did not say. It's ok, we'll manage, we always do, my 16 year old will loan us money if we become that desperate, I'm hoping that's not the case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trulycrabby Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 I'm so sorry. :grouphug: I hope you'll still be able to enjoy your anniversary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in Australia Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 ((hugs)) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twigs Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 I am sorry. Financial stress just eats away at you and keeps you from sleeping. I am sorry. I hope things get easier very soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aggieamy Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 I am so sorry. DH and I are self-employed too and had a project we thought was done blow up last week. And the best part is that it's not our fault but we get to fix it. I hope your situation turns around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlessedMom Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 ((((((((Hugs)))))))) So sorry this is happening. Praying for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie in Ma Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 :grouphug: :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 Hey, we got married on the same day! Today is our 19th as well. I hope today is better. My dh is self employed. He's a contractor & this past month he helped friends out that took a whole week of his time unpaid (they said they would pay him at some point, but he never billed them and told them to give him what they thought it was worth, they both make ok money) not a huge deal, whatever this was a few weeks ago & nothing yet, I'm at peace with that, whatever. Then he had a floor job last week and was supposed to put the toilet back on today. They called last night and said there were "problems". These are people that I know from homeschooling. He went today and there were some spots in front of the sink that did not look great and had edging marks, so he had to try & fix it, but he's not happy and said they probably won't be either. He said he will probably need to redo the whole floor & isn't even sure about billing them. I have bills do next week and now no money. I know God will meet our needs and I'm trying not to be upset, but this really hurts right now. Plus our anniversary is tomorrow. Happy anniversary to us. After 19 years you would think life would be easier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aggieamy Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 Thinking about you today. Hope you're feeling better and things turn around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prairie~Phlox Posted July 1, 2014 Author Share Posted July 1, 2014 Things are better today. He did get a text that there were a few spots of polyerothane to buff out, so he went & did that & can now bill them. I guess they are happy, they didn't say they weren't, either that or they are just done with it. I went with him & thought it looked ok, I couldn't really tell where there were problems. It looked a ton better than it did. It was in really rough shape. Keep praying we can get caught up though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aggieamy Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 Things are better today. He did get a text that there were a few spots of polyerothane to buff out, so he went & did that & can now bill them. I guess they are happy, they didn't say they weren't, either that or they are just done with it. I went with him & thought it looked ok, I couldn't really tell where there were problems. It looked a ton better than it did. It was in really rough shape. Keep praying we can get caught up though. I'm glad it's working out. I will be praying for you guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 Happy Anniversary! I'm glad things are better today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzanne115 Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 Happy Anniversary! I didn't see this post earlier, but I'm glad the floor job turned out okay. Suzanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prairie~Phlox Posted July 1, 2014 Author Share Posted July 1, 2014 Ok, one more quick prayer, I looked at the invoice and dh put the due date of the 31st and then I told him and said, "did you send it?" he said, I think so. What, he said he was using Google drive on his phone and so he thinks it got sent, but there was no way to know for sure. What the heck, it either did or it didn't. He did some work for them recently and they paid about a week after the bill and I will see the wife on Tuesday, which is fine, but how will I know if they even got a bill. UGH!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in Australia Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
applethyme Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 :grouphug: :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dina in Oklahoma Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 Hope your situation is improving! :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
readwithem Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 So sorry all this is hitting at once :grouphug: As for the invoice, since you are seeing the wife soon, I would print out a copy and take it with you when you see her, don't whip it out but just deflect it with a light-hearted "Harry can be so spacey sometimes, he wasn't sure he sent you the invoice so I brought along a copy just in case he didn't get it to you." then give her a wink and your biggest smile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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