what would you do?

[macrocarpa]

I left an estimate for a customer to:

"prune a black cherry away from house and clear back from a southern magnolia to allow more space/light and thin out as needed $350"

Remove black cherry to ground level and clean up all debris $550"

She wanted to have the option of both. She called and told me to do the pruning. I did. After the pruning was done she called 5 days later and said she now "wants the tree completely removed and will pay me the remaining $200 to do so"

But that means making 2 trips, taking almost twice as much time, paying my groundman several hours more time, etc, etc.

How would you handle this situation?

 

[PrimeApe]

Explain the additional costs to her. Facts are facts. If she can't understand why you need to charge her for the time, she's not the kind of client that you should want. I'm assuming of course that treecare is your business and not your hobby

 

[cerviarborist]

Whenever your bid is for work being done concurrently, that should be specified.

I start out with an "ala carte" itemization for work done on each individual tree, subtotal that, and then deduct a discount which is contingent upon the client authorizing all the work to be done concurrently.

I also note that my proposals are only good for 30 days from the date submitted.

 

[rfwoodvt]

That's a tough one for sure. But, as PA (and yourself) stated, there is extra time involved and that comes at a cost.

In fact, I'd suspect that the cost of take down after the pruning still approaches the $550. Why? The same problems that contributed to the original price still exist, the techniques and tools required are still the same and, if you did your pruning according to ANSI standards, at least 2/3 of the tree still remains standing, more if you were conservative in your pruning.

You will need to politely explain that to your client in a way that they can accept and understand. I hope it goes well!

 

[macrocarpa]

The customer seems to think that I pruned out $350 worth of the tree so there should only be $200 worth of material left to remove, silly!

The removal is not easier than it would have been before pruning.

Just a stupid situation but one I'll have to deal with as a busniness owner. To me it is still a $550 removal and she isn't gonna like that but oh well.

Thanks for the replies

 

[Jamin_Mayer]

I like Richard's & Rick's comments... I'd suggest the same advice with a twist.

Make her an offer of $490 for the removal. Mention that's the best you can do. However, tell her you can only do that price in the winter, when it is slow. She may say okay, but then forget about it later. Or, she'll gradually like the results of the pruning and change her mind again. She'll then call you to nix the removal.

There ya geaux! You shouldn't have to deal with her for a while.

 

[macrocarpa]

"Or, she'll gradually like the results of the pruning and change her mind again. She'll then call you to nix the removal."


This is what happened yesterday. I told her that "I saw no signs that it is a hazardous tree, but of course anything can happen."

That's a relief. 1st time that annoying scenario came up.

 

[treehumper]

I'm always leery of that kind of interpretation of an either or quote. I will advise them at the time they call back that the price of the removal will not be reduced significantly if it is decided after pruning that they want the tree removed. It has happened a few times and never led to any issues with pricing.

 

[macrocarpa]

[ QUOTE ]
I will advise them at the time they call back that the price of the removal will not be reduced significantly if it is decided after pruning that they want the tree removed.

[/ QUOTE ]

Good advise. I think for now on I will add that in the quote next time someone wants bids for both services.

 

[treehumper]

Put it in writing but also explain it to them verbally. Be sure to ask them if they understand what you're telling them!