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I make my living as a finish carpenter and I also have a one man cabinet shop that I own and work out of. Most of my work comes from customer referrals and there is maybe about 30% of my work that comes from one general contractor. My problem is that generally I have a set hourly rate that I charge for my services. I charge this same rate whether I am working for my own clients or if I am subbed out to this GC. Last week this GC asked if I would install some recycled beadboard on the kitchen ceiling of his own house. I had work of my own, however he was persistent in wanting it done. I finished the ceiling and handed him my invoice which covered my time at my standard rate. When the GC read my invoice he came unglued. He claims that for as many times that he has used my services and put me to work that I should have cut him a break in my price. This same contractor never complains when he can turn around and bill my charges off to someone else. I found out today that in his most recent house that he is building for a client he is not using me to build the cabinets. hge is instead using a competitor. Does it sound as though I was unfair in billing my invoice as I did? When this GC isn’t busy he never refers other jobs my way. Would be interested in hearing some opinions on this.
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I make my living as a finish carpenter and I also have a one man cabinet shop that I own and work out of. Most of my work comes from customer referrals and there is maybe about 30% of my work that comes from one general contractor. My problem is that generally I have a set hourly rate that I charge for my services. I charge this same rate whether I am working for my own clients or if I am subbed out to this GC. Last week this GC asked if I would install some recycled beadboard on the kitchen ceiling of his own house. I had work of my own, however he was persistent in wanting it done. I finished the ceiling and handed him my invoice which covered my time at my standard rate. When the GC read my invoice he came unglued. He claims that for as many times that he has used my services and put me to work that I should have cut him a break in my price. This same contractor never complains when he can turn around and bill my charges off to someone else. I found out today that in his most recent house that he is building for a client he is not using me to build the cabinets. hge is instead using a competitor. Does it sound as though I was unfair in billing my invoice as I did? When this GC isn't busy he never refers other jobs my way. Would be interested in hearing some opinions on this.