How to tell someone no when asking to borrow money

[Anonymous]

He has a drug problem.

[Anonymous]

OP—what did you decide to do?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

That's the vibe I get too.

[Anonymous]

The work force in America is so awful now. Everyone feels entitled to what they want without working for it. This guy's aggressive follow up is frightening. How much do you still owe him? If he were to finish the project that is? I think I might just tell him let's part ways at this point and you hire somebody else to do this punchlist.

[Anonymous]

OP I hope this resolves safely for you. It's a useful thread for me. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

I would probably pay him a “completion bonus” or some such if it’s a similarly small amount like $500, and not ask him to do more work.

He’s been working for you for 9 months and might not have another steady project lined up. Yes that’s his problem but he’s a human.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Say you can offer a speedy completion bonus if he gets the work done properly by X date. Then change locks.

This isn't the worst idea if you feel you must give him money to get him out. But it's so super creepy and inappropriate that he asked in the first place, asked a second time, and got pissed when you didn't respond on a holiday no less,

[Anonymous]

Just say no. Why is this so hard?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

And he knows this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

If you don't want to give him the money (how much is it?) this is the best advice. I guarantee you that any kind of lying about "unexpected expenses" will not be believed because he's been in your house every day and knows what you can afford. The truth is you hired him because he was cheaper, so now you are getting what you paid for.

And, yes, it is unprofessional for him to ask, but you didn't hire a professional. You hired a handyman who lives job to job, paycheck to paycheck and is now struggling. The truth is you've already gotten underpriced labor from him (including a "custom pantry" he built for $500!!!!) so I would factor that into my decision, plus what it would cost to have someone else finish it. Personally, I would probably offer to give him the money at the end as a "tip" when the job is completely finished. Then I would not work with him again.

[Anonymous]

It is very unprofessional for your handyman to request you + your husband loan him money - for ANY reason.

While it was nice how he returned the favor the first time, I would just use the holidays as an excuse as to why you cannot loan him any more money.

You can say that you guys spent a lot on Christmas gifts 🎁 & simply do not have the ca$h available to loan him.

Hopefully he will accept this and finish up his work on your house.

If this were any other situation, I wouldn’t suggest lying but if you think he may not finish his obligated duties on your home lying for now may pacify him for the time being.

*Note: In the future > NEVER loan out any money to someone who is working for you.
It is very unprofessional.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

No

And probably foh

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No

And probably foh

I should have read the backstory first. I would just tell him you’re now broke and you had saved for the Reno but are happy to be a referral