Jody Hughes was the first friend in Austin to hire me as an architect. And I would credit the experiences of helping him with several projects over the years (first, a garage addition with roof deck, then a major kitchen renovation, and most recently, a fireplace renovation for he and his wife Jennie) as formative in my thinking about my own architectural practice. It helped me realize the risks and rewards inherent in having your own small business, as well as working for people you know outside of that business. One contractor I know put it best, "There is much more to lose than to gain in working for your friends. At the end of the day, if the project goes well, they are still your friend. If it doesn’t, you’ve lost a friend."

Yet I find it hard to resist. Hopefully your friends are more open with you, and the communication channels are clearer, as they’ve been developed over years of knowing each other. I would also argue that there is a chance for the friendship to deepen, as the relationship becomes embedded in the physical space created. And there is no denying the comfort in being able to visit for dinner, or a glass of wine, in a space that you helped make, with people you liked before it was ever made.