[Locke]

Originally Posted by mrkajz44

I work in tax, so I generally have the following policy:

1) Very easy work / general advice = free / 6 pack of beer - If something is very simple and I am 100% confident I can do it right pretty quickly, I am glad to help. I can also research and provide general advice for "back of the envelope" type stuff when people are considering options

2) Anything else = charge full price - As soon as it gets a little more complicated, I ask for full price. In the area of tax things can get sticky really quick and you can't half ass it or you could be in for a world of hurt down the road. Basically, if anything is a bit complicated, I know I will put way more time to make sure it's correct and its hard to give discounts for something like that

I guess its pretty similar to the painting thing: One room is fine, but the whole house requires full payment. It's either a full favour, or its full price. There are no discounts.

I try to be mindful of this on the other side too. My sister is a lawyer and my brother in law is a mechanic. I can count on them for general advice type stuff, but as soon as it becomes "real", I'm either paying full price, or using someone else.

Very well said. I subscribe pretty much exactly to this.

If its 'real' there can be consequences later so you have to pay the fee, if its just general or loose then okay.

Its where it goes from knowledgeable advice to professional advice.