Contracts?

[Local # 17 T.T.]

Hey! I was wondering what kinda contracts you guys make your customers sign? I want something thats going to protect them, as well as me and something so they cannot burn me when it comes down to being paid for the job. Also what kinda cancellation period do you give them etc. Any info would be helpful, thanks.

Mike Davis
:Monkey:

 

[Redbull]

Personally, I just have them sign a work order before starting work for the day. This work order includes the date, a detailed description of work to be performed, customer address and contact info, as well as the price of course. There is also a clause on the w.o. and the estimate sheet that states "price is subject to change if additional work is requested". I explain to the customer that this work order is basically a permission slip for me to work on their property. If I tell them it's to make sure they pay me, they might be offended. If someone does not want to sign a work order, that's a good sign they won't pay when you're done. As far as a cancellation period, I haven't addressed that issue yet. I have been burned a couple of times too. I am a solo operation, so I try to keep things as simple as possible. I'm surprised no one else has any more input on this. Hope this helps.
Brandon

 

[bottlefed89]

That's basically all I do too. In something big enough that I give a formal typed estimate there is a place to sign showing acceptance of the proposal and aggreance of my terms and conditions. These terms and conditions spell out what is expected of either party, and when these tasks should be completed.
greg

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Large dollar jobs get a written agreement. I try to be as exact as possible, no "trim tree in back" type wording, More in the order of "lightly thin wite ash on back righ property line to influance good long term growth and clear from arborvitea. removing no more then 15% of leaf-mass and no limbs over 3 inches. Client wil do all cleanup."

A small amount of ernest money is usuall asked for to keep people from signing and shopping around.

I ave associates how have boiler-plate languqage printed into the estimating form "stump grindings will be raked back into the pit to avoid trip/fall hazards, but will only be removed onn a sperate time and materials basis"

"Work can be canceled at any time prior to the agreed date for the work, cancelation after the crew arives fro the work will make ernest money non-refundable"

Then have them initial the pertinant segments

One guy on the knot-hole had "remove all debrise" when doing a TD on a huge pine. The lady made him clean her gutters out of 5 years of needle rot because it was debris from the tree. He changed it to "remove all debris our work creates"

I would not take it to a lawyer unless it was a huge four figure account.

 

[Menchhofer]

Our contract is signed by everyone. Actually, the conditions were created by how customers throughout the years burnt us in one way or the other. Used to think contract was not needed...but, today it is very necessary to protect you and the customer and to verify you are both on the same page of the book.

 

[treeman82]

I am not sure where this happened, but I know it did. I heard about it second hand. A guy was doing a tree removal job for a lawyer of all people. The proposal said to remove the tree. He went and cut the tree down, and ground the stump. Went to get paid and the guy beat him up about "remove the tree" and made the contractor go back and pretty much rip up the ENTIRE area following roots out for as far as they would go.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Went to get paid and the guy beat him up about "remove the tree" and made the contractor go back and pretty much rip up the ENTIRE area following roots out for as far as they would go.

That's happend to a number of people I know. Which is why most people will give a pirce on a stump whether they are going to do it or not, and word it to the effect of "remove tree to low stump". I know a guy who got bit on the use of "flush" because it was 1/4 inch above grade.

Most of the times problems arise is because the professional assumed that the cutomer knoew what he was talking about.

 

[ROLLACOSTA]

any job i do for a domestic customer that is priced over £500 ,now require's them to sign my term's and condition's contract/policy.. for developer's or any commercial work anything over £1 requires a signature from a director [i'm not saying developers will try and stich you up LOL ok i am LOL] ,my term's and condition's are pretty much common sense stuff

 

[ROLLACOSTA]

Our contract is signed by everyone. Actually, the conditions were created by how customers throughout the years burnt us in one way or the other. Used to think contract was not needed...but, today it is very necessary to protect you and the customer and to verify you are both on the same page of the book.

ditto my contract's are based on bad experiences

 

[glens]

Most of the times problems arise is because the professional assumed that the cutomer knoew what he was talking about.

Assumptions are the cause of all the problems.  Concise and clear written terms are what keeps parties "on the same page".  Confirmation by both parties that the terms are understood is what keeps deals friendly.

Glen

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Assumptions are the cause of all the problems.  Concise and clear written terms are what keeps parties "on the same page".  Confirmation by both parties that the terms are understood is what keeps deals friendly.

Glen

That is true for two honest parties. Some problems are due to people who want to squeeze every last ounce out of you.

Though clear and concise verbiage will usually keep them to a minimum also.

 

[old dude]

contracts

wow--- This old dog better tighten-up! those stories I'm reading about getting burned on weather or not the contract was specific enough et-al are pretty scary.I've never written a contract in my 27 years experience. Never been burned for payment nor sued nor hasseled about the work or anything. I think knowing your clients tastes & character and communicating effectively can go a long way toward avoiding problems-----but I may have to start nailing things down tighter. Thanks for the heads-up.
old dude

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

With all those darned yanks moving into the Triangle are, handshakes may not be good enough andy more.

Do you know Guy Meilluer in Apex?

 

[DDM]

Hmmmm Ive had a few sign a Proposal But never had any problems I Point out to the customer The Tree The Stump and the Roots.