I'm currently working with a contractor on a home renovation and we've agreed to pay him only for labor. So far, things have been mostly smooth, and we usually just Venmo him for any materials he needs. Recently, he asked us to pay for an industrial sander rental. I told him that without it, he wouldn't be able to complete the job and that most flooring contractors likely have this equipment at their disposal. Am I wrong for refusing?
3 Answers
I totally get why you're hesitant. If the contractor is only charging labor, asking for rental fees feels off. If he's renting something he needs, I'd expect it to come out of his budget, not yours. Just be careful with how things pan out, and make sure he's legit before you end up footing the bill for unnecessary expenses.
I think you're right to question this. It sounds like if he's handling the flooring, he should come prepared with the necessary tools. If renting a sander wasn't part of your agreement, it's kind of a stretch for him to ask you to cover that cost. If he really doesn't have the right equipment, then maybe he should reconsider how he's managing the job.
Honestly, paying for a tool rental isn't the biggest deal. If renting the sander is the only way to get the job done properly, then maybe it’s worth it. Just make sure this isn’t a habit and clarify what you’re covering from now on. It might save you some headaches later!
That's a fair point. But the key is to establish clear terms beforehand so you're not left paying for unexpected costs. Maybe a conversation about expectations is in order!
Exactly! If he's really a contractor, he should have his own equipment ready for tasks like this. You shouldn't have to pay extra for something he should already own.