u/Comprehensive_Baby53

North Carolina, I got the news that my very good client had passed away but the family wants me to continue the work. My client lived in another state and I was working on his beach vacation house. His Brother called and told me to go ahead and finish the work, not his children. I said I was concerned about that and asked if he was willing to cover the bill if my clients children didn't pay. He said "don't worry, his kids will pay you." I get that they want the work done but I don't feel comfortable working for people I don't know and especially under a contract with a man who has passed away. When I got off the phone with his brother I immediately packed up my tools & gear and put it into my trailer. I cleaned up the job site to a decent livable condition, locked up the house, and left.

I really didn't like the idea of just continuing work as if nothing happened for several reasons. I'm worried about having my tools and trailer on the recently deceased property because Its been my experience that people often steal from the recently deceased. I think before I continue working there needs to be some protocol and acknowledgment from the kids about my agreement with their father and a clear understanding of what is his property before I bring my tools and property onto the site. I'm currently planning to give them about two weeks to grieve and do what they need to do before I reach out to discuss what to do moving forward.

I understand that I have an agreement with the owner to finish the work. I sent him an estimate and he accepted the estimate. Its not a contract in that he signed it or anything but the estimate was sent via email & he sent be back his written consent to start the work. What I would like to do is ask to get paid for the portion of the work and materials completed already, about $4,000 and then enter into a new contract with my former clients kids to finish. That way I can establish their ability and willingness to actually pay before I do another 2 weeks of work I fear I may never get paid for. The last thing I want is to do a months worth of work and then get told. "OK well if you want your money you'll have to sue us in probate."

So is that reasonable or am I only entitled payment if i complete the work in full or something? any advice would be appreciated.

I've been working for this guy for about 6 years on lots of remodel projects. I had just finished replacing the LVP and trim in the kitchen and had about 2 weeks of work left before I can send the invoice. I got the news that my very good client had passed but they wanted me to finish the job. My client lived in another state and I was working on his beach vacation house. His Brother called and told me to go ahead and finish the work. I said I was concerned about that and asked if he was willing to cover the bill if my clients children didn't pay. I figured if he's giving me the "keep working" order, he has some say in my clients estate. He said "don't worry, his kids will pay you." I get that they want the work done but I don't feel comfortable working for people I don't know and especially under a contract with a man who has passed away. When I got off the phone with his brother I immediately packed up my tools & gear and put it into my trailer. I cleaned up the job site to a decent livable condition, locked up the house, and left. My fear is that the family may come over and confuse my tools for the owners property. I think before I continue working there needs to be some protocol and acknowledgment from the kids about my agreement with their father and a clear understanding of what is his property before I bring my property onto the site. I'm currently planning to give them about a week to grieve and do what they need to do before I reach out to discuss what to do moving forward.

My gut tells me that I should ask to get paid for the portion of the work completed, and then enter a new contract with the kids to finish. That way I can establish their ability and willingness to actually pay. The last thing I want is to do a months worth of work and then get told. "OK well if you want your money you'll have to sue us in probate."

has anyone had this happen to them that can give me some advice.

I love my wife and her past relationships with other guys doesn't bother me at all. I also had relationships before I met her and they were part of what made me who I am today. Some of my relationships ended worse than I would have liked but that doesn't mean they were bad relationships or that I hate those people now. I certainly wouldn't want to hang out with any of my ex's but that doesn't mean to me that everything we did together was bad and should be stricken from the record and never talked about again.

While I'm comfortable talking about all chapters of my life, My wife is very closed off about her past. Basically anything between college to the time I met her that involved a previous boyfriend is not talked about. I get that she had some bad breakups and has some regrets but I feel like she sees it in a really negative light and I can't talk to her about anything regarding past experiences and she will lie and say she never did things to avoid talking about her exs. We've been together for 14 years and I thought eventually with time, she would get over her resentments but she hasn't. Is this normal or healthy for an adult to have such resentment about their past that they never talk about it? Am I wrong for talking about my past relationships?

An example would be: "Me and my ex girlfriend went snowboarding together and one time we rented a cabin with a hot tub and she ended up breaking her wrist so we ended up just hanging out at the cabin in the hot tub while it snowed for most of the trip." I don't mind sharing that story because its happened and its sometimes relevant. I can't give an example like that about my wife because she never talks about any of her past experiences with past boyfriends.

I did a lot of pressure washing when i first started my business because i needed more work and i already had a 3800 psi honda pressure washer. I just had a client accept an estimate to soft wash her 3 story house with decks, outdoor shower, and surface cleaning the small driveway for $680.00 I estimate it will take me about 6 hours including $60 in solutions and fuel. I found that its a good way to upsell and add more work to my estimate, but i generally only offer it in the spring and fall unless im prepping a house or deck for paint or stain.