contracts before jobs start?

[Maui Palm & Tree Care]

how many of you use some form of contract or legal papers with the HO signature agreeing to the price and job taking place.
im just tired of being stood up man, i mean its one thing to ask me to place a bid but its another to have me ready to show up to your property and then come to find out your no longer interested in your tree being removed or cant afford it. does this shat happen to you guys a lot too?

 

[just_a_tree_guy]

it is always a good idea to have an agreement of what work is going to be performed and what the price is going to be . you sign it and the homeowner signs it .that way it shows you both agree on all the work and price .i am not sure there is much you can do if they change there mind or something comes up and they now can't afford it . sometimes it happens but it should be few and far between . at least it is few and far between for me ,but does happen on occasion . just be polite and tell them you understand and if they are lejit they usually call back when they are ready . good luck!

 

[treeness]

Unless you got lawyers to draw up papers, or lawyers to go after them for voiding a contract, such as placing a lien on whatever assets they own, if any, your up the creek without a paddle. Small claims court is another option. Follow up calls work great too. Whatever floats your boat.

 

[southsoundtree]

Virtually always! Only repeat customers might go verbal, but since they're already happy, why chance a misunderstanding, or misremembering about the price or scope of work.

A 5-10% deposit to hold their spot in your schedule is not out of line.

Here, were are required to be bonded. Part of this gives the HO a place to get their money if you skip town with their pre-payment. The bond company would then chase you down for the money.

I guess I'm in a good market, or sumthin'. I haven't ever had this issue.

 

[marlinspiker]

we charge 100 dollars if they cancel within a 24 hour window. this is the mobilization fee. and yes we don't do anything without contracts.

 

[Paul Biester]

early on.....verbal...stood up ,messed up lied to,, = contracts....most times take a deposit,it shows they are serious about the project and they are less likely to jump ship if they are invested in the project...in the avent people do "cancel" w enough warning...i always refund deposit and try to pert friends...

 

[treehumper]

Simple contract, a call before to confirm the date/time and scope of work. We have rarely run into cancellations except where we've been busy with emergency work that has left people waiting.

The written contract gives you a clear description of what is being done (if you in fact write it out or map it out) and the cost of doing it. Be sure to include whatever taxes are going to be charged since some people will say they thought that taxes where included in the price quoted. Always call before as a courtesy to confirm the job and make sure they have prepared for your arrival, i.e., cleaned up the dog crap, moved vehicles or furniture or garden gnomes, etc....

 

[treeness]

I withdraw my statements then. However, how do you go after outstanding fee's that they wont pay or agree to pay such as a mobilization fee (which is more than fair to charge, as putting equipment and a crew on the road is not cheap.), or say they only pay half?

 

[jeff_r]

give them a call at least a few days before you're going to come out. I've been to Maui a few times and there are phones there although I never had to use them. . .

 

[Olly]

I read a major tree companies contract recently and it was so exhaustive. I use a simple form that is two part carbon and gives a basic job out line. ie. remove fir, clean up branches, leave firewood rounds. If its a big job I request they sign a pledge to pay upon completion. This works good and makes it official with out being over the top with details. People appreciate written bids which can also act as the contract.

 

[treehumper]

Something drilled into me about contracts years ago, a contract is "a meeting of minds" where promises are given to do something in exchange for something else within a given time period, the document is evidence of that contract. Never confuse the two.


Large companies have such detailed paper to ensure their assets are protected since they have much more to lose and many more ways to lose them.

We on the other hand can keep it simple.

 

[guymayor]

[ QUOTE ]
give them a call at least a few days before you're going to come out. I've been to Maui a few times and there are phones there although I never had to use them. . .

[/ QUOTE ]

Phoning is one area I was bad on but have been trying to improve on, to avoid misunderstandings. I generally don't give specific times i will show up, but typically say i will call when enroute.

If people are changing their minds about removals....maybe you should be selling more preservation services!

Contracts with specifications spelled out are ideal.

I just got a 6-page contract with a govt agency for an expert witness assignment. Skimmed and signed.

Tree work contracts should be short; 1-2 pgs.

 

[treehumper]

Yeah, phone calls and appt times . I try to live by the motto of, "under promise, over deliver".