Liability clause on estimates

I had a problem recently where the client moved into a new house that the previous owners were garden nuts. Over planted everything too close to the house and had irrigation on it since the house was built. She stated she didn't want to use the irrigation and had no clue why it was there. So we came in, removed the trees tried to pull the irrigation back from the stumps but it was grown in. The grinder hit 3 locations on the cheap black plastic. Damned if she didn't call and complain, held my check for 3 weeks. I offered to pay half the repair bill due to "our miscommunication ".
Finally got paid, but will never work for her again! I'm in the process of writing limitations now so keep them coming thanks
 
flyingsquirrel25 said:
I had a problem recently where the client moved into a new house that the previous owners were garden nuts. Over planted everything too close to the house and had irrigation on it since the house was built. She stated she didn't want to use the irrigation and had no clue why it was there. So we came in, removed the trees tried to pull the irrigation back from the stumps but it was grown in. The grinder hit 3 locations on the cheap black plastic. Damned if she didn't call and complain, held my check for 3 weeks. I offered to pay half the repair bill due to "our miscommunication ".
Finally got paid, but will never work for her again! I'm in the process of writing limitations now so keep them coming thanks
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Three weeks is good time for me. I wait a month on average.
 
My lawyer wrote my liability statement and highly recommended it go figure. Mine also has a bit of a weather bit as well as payment in there. These two help if I don't feel comfortable with the wind and or if not paid. Truly it has helped the two times I have had to go to small claims due to non payment.
 
Don't forget that the more complicated (and thorough) you make your limitations etc. the longer a customer needs to digest them. There is a clear understanding that the tree company is the experts so they should be the experts. IF you have limited yourself with a three page list you may have made it impossible for the client to understand what you are and are not doing.

Sprinkler systems are ridiculous to work around, as is electric dog fence, edges of buildings and fences, other plants, concrete etc. Perhaps rather than limiting our liability we should be refusing to do work that requires feathering a stump cutter against an object.
 
I once had a customer go into histrionics when I quoted to remove a tree for a grand, it was leaning over the roof. In reply I said I could put the tree down for 100 but I would not be responsible for the damages. What damages? Oh I am going to drop it on the house, it will be much quicker, thus much cheaper!!!!! Well no need to worry about liability after that point.
 
Gorman said:
Three weeks is good time for me. I wait a month on average.
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Sorry it just so happens that week was a rough week (expensive) and my little company needed the capital to cover the expenses. I don't get 3 weeks to make my car payment or my grocery bill or my electric bill so why should I have to wait 3 weeks to get paid!
Carry on!
 
flyingsquirrel25 said:
Sorry it just so happens that week was a rough week (expensive) and my little company needed the capital to cover the expenses. I don't get 3 weeks to make my car payment or my grocery bill or my electric bill so why should I have to wait 3 weeks to get paid!
Carry on!
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I agree with this. They should of honored the terms set forth at the begining of the job.
 
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