dealing with other contractors

[treeman82]

We've got some work going on at the house right now.. the contractor is in my way, and I'm in his. So the other night I was thinking about some jobs I've done in the past.

Get the job, show up and another contractor has his junk piled under the tree I'm supposed to do work on. I would tell the contractor and their people that I'm gonna be taking down this tree... and they need to move their crap out of the way. When they didn't get stuff moved... I started bombing everything right onto their gear and supplies. I clearly stated that it wasn't my problem if their stuff gets wrecked.

How do you guys handle these situations?

 

[reachtreeservi]

Same way. be nice and give them a chance to be nice.....
If they don't take it, I quit being nice.

 

[LTREES]

I call and tell the HO i'll be there said day and see if all things are in order. I only had one time that another contactor was in my way. they were replacing doors and windows. i had a norway over most of the house and deck. they seemed to understand, until they started busting my a$$. like busting stuff as i rope out limb, then yelling like something was wrong. so, the games were on. i started dropping stuff on the deck (sm) so they had to walk over or around it. most always i/ve no problems. i guess they figure if your willing to climb out a lead and hang out, there maybe a crazy side to ya.

 

[AngelofDarkness]

Any halfway reasonable and professional contractor should get their crap out of your way if you are working on a tree. Tree work is more dangerous and should be given more space and respect than doing something like hanging siding or building a deck.

But I am just an unemployed bum and my opinions do not matter.

 

[Canyonbc]

Same way. be nice and give them a chance to be nice.....
If they don't take it, I quit being nice.

I am pretty much the same way.

If they really don't do it after one time i will talk to them one more time...try and explain to them...if the situation was reversed...get them to stand in my shoes.

I feel if they wont by then...well words run through my mind that would be inapporiate for this sight...but i think anyone reading this knows what i mean.

 

[chucknduck]

Well, you tell them when you are going to start. Then you show up and talk to them when you see they have not moved their stuff. Then after they blow you off, you start the removal, or trim job. You try not to hit their stuff and do the job in a timely matter. Most of the time they will move it when they see you start cutting on the tree. And if you do hit and dent up their stuff, you tell them they had fair warning!

 

[ccrider2240]

Hell i would just leave and come back later, preferably earlier than them, or maybe just start landin some bombs they'll get their stuff out of the way sooner than later.

 

[bendtrees]

On busy sites, we usually check in the day prior with the general to be certain all is clear. Additionally, we arrive on site before anyone else. Aside from that I follow the golden rule. Although some sites have attitude, it is usually easy enough to disarm with a little assertiveness and mutual effort toward understanding. Just did a removal at a mansion in the center of a dozen dudes running every which way. We had to move a few things and get through some language barriers, but the job got done in a safe and timely manner. I enjoyed the job instead of seething about a little extra work. Anger inhibits my performance in the work environment.

"I would tell the contractor and their people that I'm gonna be taking down this tree... and they need to move their crap out of the way. When they didn't get stuff moved... I started bombing everything right onto their gear and supplies. I clearly stated that it wasn't my problem if their stuff gets wrecked."

Keep in mind, they probably didn't know you were coming. It sounds like your tude may have got the best of you after showing up and seeing their crap in your way.

 

[Dadatwins]

We've got some work going on at the house right now.. the contractor is in my way, and I'm in his. So the other night I was thinking about some jobs I've done in the past.

Get the job, show up and another contractor has his junk piled under the tree I'm supposed to do work on. I would tell the contractor and their people that I'm gonna be taking down this tree... and they need to move their crap out of the way. When they didn't get stuff moved... I started bombing everything right onto their gear and supplies. I clearly stated that it wasn't my problem if their stuff gets wrecked.

How do you guys handle these situations?

Communication prior to the job being started.
As for it not being your problem if his stuff gets wrecked, not sure if an insurance company would see the same picture. Damage is damage.

 

[Canyonbc]

Communication prior to the job being started.
As for it not being your problem if his stuff gets wrecked, not sure if an insurance company would see the same picture. Damage is damage.

Ya, i think this a really good point to bring up...makes me wonder.

Get it in writting that they refuse and you are held harmless....haha no i am just kidding, except some day it will prolly come to this.

 

[newb]

I'm having trouble with some of these replies. Who put the tree services at the top of the pecking order. " If someones in my way, I'll just bomb things on there equipment" . I'm proud to say my business is run more professional than that. Who scheduled the conflict? I'm not starting any work that has that kind of danger to it, just come back another day. I have to believe theres a good possibility that maybe the tree service scheduled wrong. Pete

 

[lxt]

I did work last summer with construction crews working full tilt, just another day at the office, everyone was aware what the other guy was doing & was courteous enough to stay back or move when they needed to!!

Even the home owner was amazed that we all having never worked together did a good job & turned out way better than expected!!


LXT............

 

[Husky137]

Pretty easy to get along with other crews on a jobsite. If you dont' approach them with a #####head attitude they will probably be much more accomodating.

I would pack up and reschedule before I started some passive-aggressive BS and destroyed another contractors tools and materials.

 

[OLD CHIPMONK]

You break it; you bought it !!! Least that's the way it used to be !!!!!!

 

[juststumps]

We've got some work going on at the house right now.. the contractor is in my way, and I'm in his. So the other night I was thinking about some jobs I've done in the past.

Get the job, show up and another contractor has his junk piled under the tree I'm supposed to do work on. I would tell the contractor and their people that I'm gonna be taking down this tree... and they need to move their crap out of the way. When they didn't get stuff moved... I started bombing everything right onto their gear and supplies. I clearly stated that it wasn't my problem if their stuff gets wrecked.

How do you guys handle these situations?

you go do another job some where else,, and let the person that hired you know, you need the area you are working in cleared....and you'll come back later.... this is all stuff that should be discused before hand... clearly stating you are going to trash someones stuff,, clearly doesn't let you off the hook for any damage !!!!!

 

[treemandan]

We've got some work going on at the house right now.. the contractor is in my way, and I'm in his. So the other night I was thinking about some jobs I've done in the past.

Get the job, show up and another contractor has his junk piled under the tree I'm supposed to do work on. I would tell the contractor and their people that I'm gonna be taking down this tree... and they need to move their crap out of the way. When they didn't get stuff moved... I started bombing everything right onto their gear and supplies. I clearly stated that it wasn't my problem if their stuff gets wrecked.

How do you guys handle these situations?

Well for starters, if I just show up to do a job that was never actually scheduled for a specfic date and there is allready other people working I see two choices. 1. See if you can do your job by working with the others. That means instead of telling them you ask - and if need be you help move the crap. 2. Roll and give a professional tradesman, like yourself, the respect you desire.
Now I guess if the job was planned and all I would most likely roll and come back another day. I probably would not even make an issue of it with the client either. I doubt I would drop limbs onto somebodies equipment especially if they had nailguns and I was tied in a tree. I am surprised you survived doing that or at least not held liable for the damage.
Besides, why is it the contractors fault you are both there on the same day? This does happen often and if it really comes down to it I thought it was first come first serve. I mean you shouldn't set up you gear and start with trees when there are civilians in the area anyway. I don't think you did it right at all, very unpro.

 

[treemandan]

I did work last summer with construction crews working full tilt, just another day at the office, everyone was aware what the other guy was doing & was courteous enough to stay back or move when they needed to!!

Even the home owner was amazed that we all having never worked together did a good job & turned out way better than expected!!


LXT............

Most cases are going to be like this if you are professional. Those contractors just love tree guys and usually put in dibs on the wood. Only thing: don't get to comfy in the porta potty, actually it might be safer to crap in your hand.

 

[3yrclimberARK]

Standard job site preparations.

If it will move it gets moved. Contractors stuff, old cars that dont run, small buildings. Whether the home owner moves it, or the contractor moves it I dont care. If nobody steps up or is around to move their crap we move it. Most people are all to hapopy to get their stuff out of my way. The last time I delt with other contractors working the same site they spent more time watching me work then taking care of their own job. Most of them just shook their head "not for me" when I dropped a 30 ft pine top from about 100 ft up. It ain't hard to get along with people contractors, neighbors, or spectators. Be nice, smile and use lots of sirs and mams.

 

[Husky137]

I hope you charge for your moving services.

 

[kruege84]

Most cases are going to be like this if you are professional. Those contractors just love tree guys and usually put in dibs on the wood. Only thing: don't get to comfy in the porta potty, actually it might be safer to crap in your hand.

I feel like there might be a story behind this crapping in the hand thing.

Let's hear it!!