Warning: A neighbor watched me install cameras and now wants a discount system.

I was setting up outdoor cameras on a job yesterday. The guy next door came over and chatted the whole time. He asked a lot of questions about the gear and how it works. After I finished, he said he wants the same setup but for half the price. This happens more often than you might think. How do you deal with folks who see your work and expect cheap deals? I need ways to explain costs without sounding rude.

3 comments

3 Comments

the_simon1d ago

Consider that your neighbor might just be working with a tight budget after seeing a nice setup. He watched you work hard and likely respects the skill, but half price is his way of starting a talk on cost. Maybe he hopes you'll explain what goes into the price, like equipment hours or permits, so he sees the value. In these cases, a clear chat about real expenses can turn a low offer into a fair deal.

the_sam1d ago

Last summer in my old neighborhood, a guy asked me to build a deck for him after seeing my work. the_simon has a good point about explaining costs, but I've seen times where that doesn't change a thing. I listed out every cost, from pressure-treated wood to the rental fee for the nail gun, and he still thought it was too high. He went with a handyman who charged half, and the deck wobbled after a month. So in my view, some neighbors just see your skill as a way to save money, not as something worth paying for.

elliot6251d ago

Classic neighbor move lol. Tell him the half-price version is called "watching through your fence".