How to tell someone no when asking to borrow money

[Anonymous]

I’m in an odd situation. I have been renovating my home for 9 months using the same handyman who works alone. 2 months ago his work truck broke down and he needed $500. We gave him the money to fix his truck because he would not have been able to continue working and in exchange he built us a custom pantry that would have been a lot more money. He’s still renovating our house and we estimate there’s maybe a week left of work. He is again asking us for money but we don’t need anymore work and are finished after he’s done. He texted us the request yesterday (NYE) and we ignored it. Later today he texted us “so you guys won’t help me out?” We are fearful that he will walk from our job if we outright say no. Is there a good way to say no and also not offend ?

[Anonymous]

Tell him you wish you extra cash to lend but you alresdy budgeted your $ for the reno.

[Anonymous]

Just tell him you're broke and have only enough to pay the bills. Tell him you had to bail out a relative and have nothing left after bills, renovation and relative. It's a white lie. He's making excessive demands and he's being told no very politely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tell him you wish you extra cash to lend but you alresdy budgeted your $ for the reno.[/quote
Wish you *had

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m in an odd situation. I have been renovating my home for 9 months using the same handyman who works alone. 2 months ago his work truck broke down and he needed $500. We gave him the money to fix his truck because he would not have been able to continue working and in exchange he built us a custom pantry that would have been a lot more money. He’s still renovating our house and we estimate there’s maybe a week left of work. He is again asking us for money but we don’t need anymore work and are finished after he’s done. He texted us the request yesterday (NYE) and we ignored it. Later today he texted us “so you guys won’t help me out?” We are fearful that he will walk from our job if we outright say no. Is there a good way to say no and also not offend ?

Do not make decisions out of fear. You cannot control what this guys does or how he reacts. If anyone should be offended, it’s you.

Clear is kind. “Sorry, we’re not in a position to help.”

Be prepared for him to walk away and be okay with that. I’d rather pay someone else to do the final punch list than this guy.

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry, we are not in a position to help. As soon as you complete the remaining work we will pay you in full.

[Anonymous]

I would legit also change your security codes and install cameras. It is really bizarre and boundary crossing to ask a client for money and the aggressive follow up text makes me think he'd be willing to steal from you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm sorry, we are not in a position to help. As soon as you complete the remaining work we will pay you in full.

This is perfect. Hopefully OP has held the final payment back.

[Anonymous]

sounds like OP paid up front

[Anonymous]

How much does he want to borrow?

[Anonymous]

How much this will affect my answer?

[Anonymous]

If this were me, and there was so little work left, I’d say “so and so, we’ve been happy with your work and since you’re almost done, we would like to know that we plan to tip you when you’re done as a gesture of appreciation. That’s the best we can do right now and we hope it helps.”

If someone has the key to my house, I feel compromised and don’t want to say no. Security reasons. But I’d want to know it’s the last time, and by incentivizing the work completion this way, hopefully he will push to get done quickly as well.

[Anonymous]

Gotta say. This would make me uneasy to have him in my home after declining to give him money. Keep a close eye on him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Gotta say. This would make me uneasy to have him in my home after declining to give him money. Keep a close eye on him.

Me too. The person above who thinks OP shouldn't live in fear or whatever.... I think they are ignoring that this person has already demonstrated they are a bit unhinged and OP is correct to navigate this carefully. Also, it's no joke to find a contractor to finish the job. OP says there is only a week left of work, so may $1000 job. If they had to find a random stranger to finish, i bet that becomes $2500.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How much does he want to borrow?

Doesn’t matter. It is inappropriate to ask and even more so to keep pushing after the answer is no.