People always ask what I do, I tell them plumber and they automatically think I want side work. I have a buddy that want a two bath remodel at his house and thinks he's going to get it cheap because its side work. Yes I'm not going to charge him what my company charges, but I'm also not doing it for free. My general rule of thumb for side work is $150 an hour, this is the only way it's worth me taking time out of my busy schedule. People think I'm an ass for charging that much but I don't milk it. My company charged 8k to do a two bath remodel just last week. All in all it will probably take me about 4 hours to complete the job. I don't even add the hour or so to set the fixtures on the final. I'm constantly getting people trying to beat me down on the price. I always have to remind them that they can always call a company and see what it's really going to cost. They forget about permits and inspections that all cost money too. I think I'm going to start telling people I'm a waiter, nobody ever wants to hire a waiter to do side work.

