[mstiles]

Have a job that I believe is mine. The landscape architect that got me involved called today and said that we were a go on the project after I sent him my bid and a contract for his client to sign. The kicker is I guess the client asked him if he thought it would be allright if her college age son worked for me for three weeks. Apparently he has something else going on for the rest of the summer. Nice one, huh. I spoke with her builder and I guess she pulled the same line on him over Christmas break. He said not to worry about it because the kid doesn't really want to work. I don't even know where to begin with her. I'll try to be nice though because it is a good size job.

[Fine Edge]

Make him work. And work and work and work.
Not to be mean but let the kid know that its not college out here. Put a shovel in his hand and have him dig all the holes.
If he knows how to work, you're in the good because odds are, you won't have to pay him that much.
If he doesn't know how to work, he'll probably last a week.

Good luck on this one.

[Cochran]

I got the "can my son help you out" client once too. It was to be only for a couple of days so we agreed to keep him busy since we did have plenty of things an unexperienced guy could do. Told him we would be at his house to work at 7:15 am. We saw him about 10am when he finally rolled out of bed. Needless to say we didn't use him and explained why to his mom. I think mothers think something like our physical work may prod their kids in a different direction.....

If you do attempt it, be tough and don't give any slack. Keep your regular employees more happy and more motivated than the client's kid.

[Stonehenge]

All I've ever promised is that we would give them an interview.

And for me, if mom has to do the leg work for your finding a job, you won't be working for us.

[mstiles]

Just got of the phone with the lady and she says that her son is going to work at a summer camp, but he has time before he leaves to work on his moms house. She thinks it will help him become "attached to the house".

[dan deutekom]

Originally Posted by mstiles

She thinks it will help him become "attached to the house".

Ohhhh Brother

[TrickyDick]

Moms holding on a little tight. I'm guessing the kid is going away to work for the summer for a reason. I agree though. Make him work hard and if he's not working out than let him go.

[site]

friends and family always ask me to hire their teenage sons to "whip them into shape with some good old fashioned hard work." I think they should whip thier own dang kids into shape.

[Lanelle]

My husband has worked a number of kids like that. He tells them during the interview that it will be hard work, not a picnic. (He tells the parents it will be the closest thing to army bootcamp they will get without enlisting) Then he makes good on his word and challenges them to try to outwork 'the old man'. Several stuck out the whole summer or several summers and have gone on to get graduate degrees and have very successful careers. The funniest thing was when they had to work with our daughter who was their same age and she outworked some of them. Those guys tended to quit early on (from embarrassment that a 100 lb. girl was so much tougher than they were).
It is heartwarming to talk to the successful ones later and they thank my husband for teaching them how to work and for giving them a chance to learn.
Yes, a number washed out after a few weeks, but several did very well.

[GLAN]

This is interesting........funny, but still interesting.

I have never come across this.

Thinking back I had a couple times had the home owner want to work along side us. No way.....

Insurance reasons.....Y a know.

[Lanelle]

When homeowners want to 'help', thinking it will save them money, I quickly reply that we charge extra for that privilege. It usually gets a laugh and we move on.