Help needed asap

[treevet]

I am w both Justice and PA Plumber. I have one employee. All my work is done on a paid on completion unless we have a long established relationship, or commercial. Absolutely all my insurance work,and that may total over $80,000 on a given year, is p.o.c. If they are sure they are covered, all they have to do is wait a short time to be reimbursed, theoretically. Absolutely nothing (nothing) worse than getting stiffed on a job and the resultant court/lawyer involvement and time wasted. I am referred by many insurance agencies and they are all versed on paying client, not the service. The biggest prob I have is when scamming people ask for a written quote, get paid by ins and do job themselves or get a cheaper guy. I ve taken to only writing contracts and getting signature if somebody wants a written I don t know during storm damage.

 

[treeseer]

The biggest prob I have is when scamming people ask for a written quote, get paid by ins and do job themselves or get a cheaper guy. I ve taken to only writing contracts and getting signature if somebody wants a written I don t know during storm damage.

This is probably the worst kind of wasted time committed by giving free estimates.

The responsibility with the signature, right.

Hey MCK how did it go?

 

[fpyontek]

Hello to everybody

Today I bid for 1 broken branch that felt on other tree due to wind. ...

I don't know where you are located, but here is how most insurance claims work in New Jersey.

Most insurance companies will only pay if the damage was a result of lightning, not wind.

Most insurance companies will only pay to have a tree or limb removed from some structure (building, fence, etc).

Most insurance companies will not pay for clean-up (chipping, debris removal, etc).

Most insurance companies, if they pay, will only pay up to $500.00.

My advice to you is for you to require payment upon completion of the job. It is too easy for the homeowner to wash his hands of this. He may have a terrific insurance company, but the odds are probably not.

Fred

 

[treevet]

This is probably the worst kind of wasted time committed by giving free estimates.

The responsibility with the signature, right.

Hey MCK how did it go?

Def the worst, Treeseer. Time is at a premium during these periods. You (we) are acting in good faith and in return get treated in bad faith. Leaves a real sour taste.

 

[jmack]

no

dont do it , they pay you, then the client gets paid by insurance, you are not a bank, i have a f grand tied up right now! and last year my time that was wasted was ridiculous, plus in the end they wouldnt pay the client and he asked me for refund, if you are inclined to deal with the insurance company make sure you are billing for your office time as treeseer suggests

 

[Sunrise Guy]

I will NEVER duke it out with insurance companies. Have the client pay you, no ifs, ands or buts. While a few here have had OK experiences dealing with insurance companies, I can bet you that you will waltz around and around with different adjusters and their secretaries waiting a few months for your check. Don't be sorry. Get a check from the client. If he/she doesn't have it, move on, you'll find other paying gigs with much less hassle.

 

[treevet]

Move on is right and agree w jmack. We are talking storm damage here. It was just a branch but at $800. and ins. that is what I m assuming.

People think they are shopping for a tree svc after a storm, but in reality, tree svc. like myself, are the ones shopping. I m shopping for the meatiest jobs that I can make a big chunk on (nothing crooked here) and owner can afford it. I cannot do them all but maybe 99 percent of the time I am going to find and close on the top 3 jobs and some more peripheral stuff.

If the owner even hedges on price or ins paying, I move on to the next tree imbedded in a house or garage. I ll do partial performance (making a contract official) mitigate as much danger as nec and do the same onothers favoring always established clients.

It s always exciting and even fun but you have to always make all the right moves.