I am trying to get out of contracting for this very reason. I am working for a guy now and doing a $2400 landscape border of stone 2-3 courses high all the way around his home. I added the mulch at cost, and agreed to pick up a couple trees (3). So after many add ons I finally go to pick up the tree and it is 7 feet tall and 400 lbs. The kicker is he had the nerve to tell me could have them installed for $15 each. At this point I blew up on him. I told him point blank "you are taking advantage of me if you want me to install the tree I am charging $100 per tree. He bickers with me and goes in and calls the nursery and asks them how much to install. They charge 85% of cost or like $150 per tree. The nursery calls me hes a friend and tells me.

An hour later Mr. C comes out and says go ahead and plant them. I said nevermind Franklin called he will do it. I tell him "Keep shopping you'll find someone to come do it cheaper and get what you pay for. Just like that mangled addition on the back of your house. I'll be done in an hour you owe me $800, I want my check don't call me for anything else. This was the straw that broke my back. I re-hung 2 gutters that were completely flowing backwards. Put up a new ridge vent and did both for $150. Spread 4 ton of soil as back fill behind the border for $100. HOW MUCH MORE CAN YOU ASK FOR???