client offers to pay bill....

[hl_tree]

for the neighbor! A client called today, his neighbor wants some work done, about 10K worth. My client informed me that the neighbor can be tough to deal with, and that he'd simply pay me, and then collect from the neighbor. Now I had a client a few weeks ago offer to front the money for the neighbor, but that was a hundred bucks per month, tops. This is a new one for me.

 

[3Climber]

Thats strange but as long as you get payed...Go for it.

 

[southsoundtree]

I would suggest getting signatures on the contract from both parties, if at all possible. Sounds like you need permission work on the one neighbor's trees, and to be paid by the other neighbor. Is it an absentee neighbor that will make it hard to get payment?

 

[tnttree]

Red Flag! Seans right on

 

[farmergardiner]

I might ask for a deposit, show intent to pay!

 

[treehumper]

Wow! I'd ask what motivates him to do such a thing?

Then definitely, explain that the contract will have to be with him and the neighbour will have to provide you with a letter of permission to access and perform the tree work as outlined in the contract.

Of course, if this is a good long term client offering to make good on the payment then there's an element of judgment that needs to be applied. I'd still talk frankly to him about this given the unusual nature of the offer.

Keep us posted!

 

[RogerM]

Did the neighbor ask for the estimate or did your client ask?
I've heard of neighborly gestures, but 10 grand? looking forward to "the rest of the story"

 

[hl_tree]

I think this is going to move forward very slowly... but to keep it brief, my client had me in for 3 days at his house, pruning, removals, cable, etc.... the neighbor came over and wants to clear out about 35 trees on their own property in order to make a nice lawn for the kids to play. I only need permission to get access through my client's property in order to get to the trees which are coming down.

 

[allmark]

Get it all in writing and signed.

 

[TANNER]

Usually someone taking on the bill means a relative, or someone who takes care of their finances. Maybe a someone they are in business with?

 

[southsoundtree]

Are these people that think of $10G's like most think of $100?

 

[Jamin_Mayer]

Good advice here. It is a weird one for sure...

 

[John_Paul_Sanborn]

[ QUOTE ]
I would suggest getting signatures on the contract from both parties, if at all possible. Sounds like you need permission work on the one neighbor's trees, and to be paid by the other neighbor. Is it an absentee neighbor that will make it hard to get payment?

[/ QUOTE ]

I've done a few similar jobs, but they are rare. I'm with Sean on this, you need a tight contract with written permission from all parties, with an iron clad payment schedule. For $10k it would not be a bad idea to get a contract lawyer to review it first.