When friends want your tradie skills for free

It's always handy to have a family member who's a mechanic, a sparky, even a plumber.

But it raises the issue of whether you'll get mates' rates or be expected to pay full price.

If you're asking a relative to lend their professional services it pays to be mindful that by working for you they're either giving up leisure time or bypassing full-paying work.

So offers to waive payment should be disregarded. Mick Southwell is a licensed electrician who's regularly called on by clan members to whip out his toolbox.

He says: "It can be inconvenient. I live a fair distance away from my family, so even a small job can involve a sizeable petrol bill, but I've never felt comfortable about charging relatives."

As compensation, Mick's family has developed something of a contra system.

"My brother-in-law is a carpenter so if I need some work done at home, I can call on his help," explains Mick. "Other family members have paid me in kind by passing down pieces of furniture they no longer need. I rarely walk away empty-handed."

More importantly, Mick's relatives refer his services to friends and work colleagues.

"It's amazing how much work I get through their recommendations - it more than compensates for time spent working for next to nothing."

So, while it's great if you can exchange skills, if you can't, word of mouth is a free but powerful form of advertising, and it could be the best return favour you can offer.

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