Time and again, seen it both with myself and my wife. And I don’t even mean like family business(must be the worst), but just a project for friend or family member.
We live in enshittification era, where everyone is already accepted that they get like 70% of expect quality for 150% the expected price. But if you’re working for someone you know, expect to put 150% effort for 30-50% of market price! Doesn’t matter what your profession is.
scope always creeps up
compensation never does
expectations always go from initially reasonable to “why can’t you keep doing better and better” for the same money
they will always think and treat like you’re the one lucky in the deal, they gave you a job!
but deep down they know they’re the one getting value out of transaction, so they’ll start squeezing your for every drop of it
rich/wealthy relatives/friends are worse at this, not better
basically it’s never worth it in my experience. You have professional reputation to protect and wouldn’t want to be seen greedy by someone close. They won’t have a clue/will downplay effort needed and expect to get a great deal because they know you.
No you won’t get any further good contracts through their network(only once just as shitty). No just because aunt Suzy is worth millions you ain’t going to touch an extra penny, aunt Suzy will make sure she’s the one who keeps being millionaire in the future while you work for below market rate and above market expectations.
I guess that’s why middleman still exist.