Liability question

[wavefreak]

I have no desire to run a tree service, I just want to mill slabs and make weird wood stuff. But I can see in the relatively near future that somebody is going to offer me a tree if I'll take it down. If there is anything that would prevent a clean drop, I'd have to decline. But even when things look doable weird stuff happens. My inclination is to tell them to find a tree guy to take it down and I'll clean it up. That will save them some money and get me a tree. But if its a 40 inch walnut and the guy is a tide wad and it would be really hard to walk away from (I might pay the tree guy myself for a walnut that big).

Thoughts?

 

[treeseer]

Just take a chance!

Insurance for a once a year tree job is not going to be worth it.

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Another idea--contact a local arborist to work by the hour to help get it on the ground

 

[Blakesmaster]

Search your local paper for tree services. I'd shy away from bigger operations that advertise in the yellow pages, they'd be more reluctant to work with you. Small companies love no hauls though. Make a contact that is secure and constantly refer them to homeowners. ####, you'd probably be able to get the tree service to pay you as long as you're neat and efficient.

 

[True Blue Sam]

If you are not in the business and do not have insurance, don't cut any tree with possible liability.

 

[treemandan]

you have nothing to fear but fear itself. Don't forget to post pics.

 

[S Mc]

We have an understanding with a couple of people who will come take wood at no charge. It saves us time and the customer money, recycles the wood to a useable product. Win, win for all. If it is valueable wood, the the customer can negotiate for a price on it.

Go ahead and contact some tree services and let them know you are out there. What you will do, not do, etc. For a really valueable tree, you very well might want to fork out the money to have it dropped for you knowing you are going to make it up in the long run.

Sylvia

 

[treemandan]

Nah, don't let no one scare you. In all honesty insurance is not a requirment at all times. You might find the perfect opurunity and the HO might not care about the ins. If you have some skill and some knowledge or are looking to get some it makes it all the better .

 

[True Blue Sam]

When you have insurance, and some kind of claim by the homeowner; his insurance company contacts your insurance company, and works out the claim. If you don't have insurance, and the homeowner has a claim, his insurance company will immediately file suit against you. It's the way things work. It's why loggers don't do yard trees.

 

[wavefreak]

you have nothing to fear but fear itself. Don't forget to post pics.

Not really afraid of the tree (I mean it can only kill me, right?). I'm afraid of the insurance companies and their lawyers. Hell, if I was 20 years younger I'd learn how to climb.

 

[capetrees]

Get friendly with a tree removal company and I'm sure they'de love the referrals to give you the wood. I know I would. And even then, maybe get in touch with someone that works for the removal company to see if they do side jobs. they have the skills to do the side work on occasion so the liability for them would be reduced in that they have the skill to do the job.

 

[treemandan]

Not really afraid of the tree (I mean it can only kill me, right?). I'm afraid of the insurance companies and their lawyers. Hell, if I was 20 years younger I'd learn how to climb.

I have been cutting on people property without insurance, they were fine with it. Not all though.

 

[capetrees]

opcorn:

 

[outofmytree]

I have been cutting on people property without insurance, they were fine with it. Not all though.

Put that beer down Dan. When you post drunk it makes you look bad....

Wave can you see a theme forming here? Felling trees is not about luck its about skill,practise,training,judgement and a whole bunch of other factors. Use a tree company to fell the tree and you take the log. After all, how long would it take you to pay for a new house if the one tree you had to have the log from went the wrong way?

 

[crashagn]

No insurance, If you dont know the person.. and no buildings around.. Get something written up about about lawn damage, holes in the ground etc.. .that you will try to keep minimal and will backfill. But get a waivor or something signed with a 3rd person signature or something. Take pictures of the site before hand. Regardless if there is going to be a tire track in the lawn caused by your pickup or trailor you would be responsible for the damages. People are to sue happy nowadays and like to go the easy way to make a buck. If i dont feel comfortable with the person or think twice, i walk away

 

[wavefreak]

No insurance, If you dont know the person.. and no buildings around.. Get something written up about about lawn damage, holes in the ground etc.. .that you will try to keep minimal and will backfill. But get a waivor or something signed with a 3rd person signature or something. Take pictures of the site before hand. Regardless if there is going to be a tire track in the lawn caused by your pickup or trailor you would be responsible for the damages. People are to sue happy nowadays and like to go the easy way to make a buck. If i dont feel comfortable with the person or think twice, i walk away

I think this is the best way. I'm too small (a few trees a year would be a lot) to get insurance but I still need to protect my ass. Be clear up front. Get it in writing. Do a good job.

 

[wavefreak]

Be sure to get workman's comp. on yourself!

Can I do that? I have a dba for my website and a sales tax certificate. I thought workman's comp was paid as a payroll deduction.

 

[Rftreeman]

get them to sign this

Due to that fact that I'm a cheap SOB I give wavefreak permission to damage my lawn and whatever else needed to get rid of that damn tree I'm to cheap to hire a tree removal company to handle.

yes you can buy W/C for yourself

 

[treeseer]

Due to that fact that I'm a cheap SOB I give wavefreak permission to damage my lawn and whatever else needed to get rid of that damn tree I'm to cheap to hire a tree removal company to handle.

Rf that was your best post ever!

 

[Nailsbeats]

Just take a chance!

Insurance for a once a year tree job is not going to be worth it.

:agree2: Take chances man.

 

[buzz sawyer]

No insurance, If you dont know the person.. and no buildings around.. Get something written up about about lawn damage, holes in the ground etc.. .that you will try to keep minimal and will backfill. But get a waivor or something signed with a 3rd person signature or something. Take pictures of the site before hand. Regardless if there is going to be a tire track in the lawn caused by your pickup or trailor you would be responsible for the damages. People are to sue happy nowadays and like to go the easy way to make a buck. If i dont feel comfortable with the person or think twice, i walk away

This is great advice! +1