He’s really busy which I get and charges a high rate. We would pay him to work for us of course but

1) he doesn’t make the time for it and won’t work us in to his schedule for months

2) he won’t discount his rate at all

Which the 2nd one I’m like fine that’s understandable and his choice and I get it. But my uncle is a contractor and would travel 24 hrs to come to my parents house and only charge them for materials, no labor. But still, different person, his choice, whatever I get it.

But the thing that’s really irks me is he won’t put us in his schedule even though we will pay him??? Like just cause we are family we can wait. But isn’t money money?

If it were me and a family member was willing to pay my full rate, I’d prioritize them over another person.

And I know we could just hire someone else but I get nervous with contractors and don’t trust a lot of them for many reasons. Also I don’t want to offend my brother… I feel weird that he’s a contractor and I would be hiring someone else.

Guys…. I tried to make it very clear that I’m not asking for free labor and will pay him his full rate. What is bothering me is despite me paying his full rate, he will not schedule us. We cannot book him he tells us he’s not free until September. And we are close and hang out all the time, whenever he has done work for us in the past there was no drama and we were thankful and paid him and then made him dinner/gave him beer. Despite me making it crystal clear that we would pay him 100% of the rate and he’s the one that isn’t making time for us, I’m still getting snarky comments.