Contracts?

[WillClimb]

Rocky,
I have clients that are long time friends and would probably remain friends regardless of some type of work related conflict. Sometimes I even do work pro bono for them...I use the arbor day excuse. And there are definitely clients that I have had forever, and I forego the deposit with them.

But as a rule I do the deposit thing with most of them, especially the new ones, and ones that I've had trouble collecting from in the past. I think that we have to get it out of our own heads though, that it means we don't trust them, before they'll see it that way. I feel like they can see the distrust in our eyes more than the document.

Most of my clients are pretty well off and have been through the legalities of the real world. They seem to understand and respect that I have put the thought into my policies and procedures, and they end up believing that I have been in business much longer than I really have. And they certainly don't see me as "fly-by-night".

 

[TREETX]

Whatever works for you, markets vary...

Willy, make sure those panties don't get in a wad. What you do works for you. It would not work here. Good for you. Earnest money is good to keep them from saying yes to 3 companies and paying the 1st one that shows.

If you NEED 50% up front to cover expenses and pay employees, you should maybe re-evaluate some things. Needing and getting are 2 different things - power to ya if you can get it.

If you NEED money up front to keep from getting screwed in the end, you are not doing a good job of qualifying customers/leads.

I solve a lot of these problems by discussing the order of operations with a client prior to starting work. For example, I show them a written proposal, walk the property with them, touch every included tree and what is to be done. The extent of clean up as well. It does not stop there then I go on to say that the next day they will recieve an invoice and payment is due at that time. If for any reason, payment should be delayed, even just a few days, - they should just simply call to let me know.

That way they know entirely what to expect.

The management co's I work for are different - 30-45 days and I just count it as money in the bank - they get charged a finance fee for borrowing MY money for the 30-45 days. aka - I pad the bill.

You even deal with people you have had trouble collecting from in the past??

PS - is KF-Tree less of a person because he isn't strapped down to one place with a lot of machinery like you are??

 

[Greg]

I agree if it works keep doing it.
I've always thought that using a crane or having a lift delivered to do a job would be good justification for some upfront money, but in the few crane jobs I've done they have been long time customers who I know would not screw me or back out at the last minute so I never asked for it. One guy around here gets $75 for an estimate, but other than him I've never heard of anyone getting money up front. --Well I have heard about those people but the next sentance was, that *&$%#! never came back to do the work.
Greg

 

[Stumper]

Willclimb,The stereotype may be unfair but many in the group earned it--"construction contractors are the scum of the earth." I've had problems with one or two of them. Lawyers have never been a problem. Some doctors have been among my stranger clientel but not problematic. Realtors have generally been great but apartment complexes etc are proctological pains. Like Treetx I pad the price to compensate for the nuisance. No insult intended to your practices but, like Nathan and Brian, I can't see making the downpayment fly here. Frankly I don't WANT to make it fly. I'm trying to do my part to perpetuate the idea of personal honor. I do what I say I'll do. I expect the same from you!

 

[City climber]

deposits

In the N.Y.C. area you coulkd never get away with asking for a deposit.We tell all customers veen if were not doing the job not to pay anything in advance. It's just not the way things are done here. I agree with rocky squirrel implies customer is not to be trusted. Do expect full payment after completion unless other arrangements have been made

 

[Ryan Willock]

Brian, I have a lot of repeat customers that I wave the deposite. Also if a long time customer refers a close friend to me then I may or may not wave it for them. I have never had anyone complain about it though, in fact since I started doing that my job acceptance rate has more than doubled!!!

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Originally posted by RockyJSquirrel
Thanks, JPS. I'm soooo glad you told me what earnest money is. I had no idea.

... slower members here appreciate your post ...

Oh I thought you were one of them

 

[TREETX]

When you are writing your contract exempting them (customer) from an earnest payment/deposit, you may want to waive the deposit instead of waving it.

Thanks for proving my point about contracts. Oh yeah, I'm sure you have a lawyer draw them up AND supervise signing.



I've got some elevator tickets for sale, all I need is a deposit.....

 

[kf_tree]

PS - is KF-Tree less of a person because he isn't strapped down to one place with a lot of machinery like you are??


i guess i'ts all about how we measure a person. do we use height?

the senario i'm going to is the best possible way for me if i'm doing tree work. i get to work with a great crew and get paid super bucks for climbing, with out any of the headache's of owning a business or equipment. i get to go home and laugh instead of kicking the dog.

i've been there with 3 trucks 20 in chipper ,grinder and all the rest. my best year i grossed around 485,000. but since i'm able to get the money i get climbing i could just work 4 days a week and be HAPPY.

but if anyone else is 6'3 or taller i guess their the bigger man.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

I'm 6'9', 260#???

 

[Stumper]

Peewee Sanborn.

 

[kf_tree]

Owning is rewarding!

hey what ever you need to tell yourself to justfy your life.

i tried to make a joke about it with the height thing but i guess you don't know caddy shack. as far as "kicking the dog" it was an expression like "your a looser" it may not be true but it's just a term.

as far as 3 trucks .....i still only ran one crew and start searching and show me where i said i was doing 5g's a day when i had my business......i've done 5000.00 days or better working for some one last summer.

did i touch a cord with you? owning must be rewarding for you but i see it doesn't make you a better person.

 

[TREETX]

Owning is rewarding!!

Spinning plates sucks for some people so they choose a route with fewer plates to spin. Nobody is right OR wrong here.

At times I am jealous of the hired guns that make a living without spinning all of the plates I have to spin. At the same time, I would be board silly if I didn't have so many plates to spin.

 

[WillClimb]

NO flame wars puhleees!

 

[NickfromWI]

I'd like to teach
the world to sing
in perfect harmony
I'd like to hold it in my arms
And keep it company



chill out guys.

 

[TREETX]

{snip:jester:}

Oh $%*# here come the black helicopters......again.

JPS - it hurts when you slap me on the hand like that

Snip away.

Oh, hey,....there is the ignore button.