This guy has two dead trees that have fallen and are now hung on other trees. Fences nearby, house within range, no powerlines. He also has a 70' maple with several large hangers at the top. The job is doable though a bit hairy. Will take some nifty rigging - no bucket truck access. Problem is the owner. Him and his wife are both on disability. They tell us they spend all of their time in hospitals and court rooms. They are in their 40's and living with her parents. Seems they are the typical "sue-happy leeches". They are suing his former company from an injury. They live off the state and her parents. During the estimate he asked "Do you have insurance? I have a good friend that's a lawyer and he'll know if you're lying". I'm certain I've never been threatened by a customer with a lawyer during an estimate. I'm sure we can get the job done safely, but he keeps saying things like "I just want it safe back there". So does that mean three years from now he'll sue me cuz an unrelated limb fell? My gut says stay away from these people - and I likely will - but they said they'd pay $2000 to have it done. That's a lot of dough to walk away from.
Should I walk away from this $2000 job?
- Thread starter baquila
- Start date
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Thats IF they pay and dont put you through the courts. Id walk unless you have NO other work to do.
TDunk
Addicted to ArboristSite
I'd just tell them that the trees are a hazard and you will do your best to get them down safely, but with leaning trees anything can happen. I wish you had some pics. to look at but if your guts telling "back off" i prolly would. There's no shame in turning down a job because your worried about getting sued. I looked at a job the other week and refered the H.O. to another Co. because he kept asking me if i had insurance, how high were my limits, what all was covered, etc. etc. It's not worth getting sued for umpt-teen thousand dollars to make $2,000. If you have aboslutly no work, then i might do it. But other wise if your having second thoughts about it, you might be better off letting someone else deal with there headachs.
TDunk
Addicted to ArboristSite
Yeah, that too.
reachtreeservi
Addicted to ArboristSite
Walk.....
Quickly !
Quickly !
Grace Tree
Impossible Access
I'd run. If they ask you why there trees are so hazardous tell them you think there's a lawyer hiding behind ever one. We have a local family that does the same thing; sue everyone, everyone's on disability. If they all died in a horrible accident the town would shut down for three days of celebration.
Phil
Phil
Yeah, I'm pretty sure we're gonna walk. I just dont trust these people. I mean, we all know it - there are no guarantees in this business. It's risky. If someone is looking for a reason to sue, they can usually find it. This situation especially. There also happens to be a swingset for his 8 year old daughter not far from these trees at all. Insane. I'd actually love to do the job because it would be a fun challenge, but there is no way to fully protect myself from this guy. He says he wants the yard "safe". No yard is safe with 70 foot trees all over the place. I cant make it that way. Safer maybe, but not safe. If I was taking down all of his trees that might be different. But taking down some and leaving the rest is begging for a lawsuit someday. Such a shame.
TomSawyer
ArboristSite Member
Get him to sign a liability waiver, written in plain english. Then bid the job at $5k. That way you won't turn him down, he'll turn you down, and sue one of your competitors. Win- win!!
BlueRidgeMark
Addicted to ArboristSite
Do NOT walk away from this job!
RUN!
C'mon, you already know the answser to this. It's just that $2000 that is clouding your thinking.
You have about as much chance of putting that $2000 in your pocket as the Los Angeles Lakers have of winning the Superbowl this year. It's going to be a legal nightmare, and you are going to wish you had never even met this guy.
You'll be doing well if it only costs you $2000.
Run, do not walk.
RUN!
C'mon, you already know the answser to this. It's just that $2000 that is clouding your thinking.
You have about as much chance of putting that $2000 in your pocket as the Los Angeles Lakers have of winning the Superbowl this year. It's going to be a legal nightmare, and you are going to wish you had never even met this guy.
You'll be doing well if it only costs you $2000.
Run, do not walk.
mckeetree
Addicted to ArboristSite
I would get away from that one.
Treetom
ArboristSite Guru
Get the ##$%! away from that job as fast as you can.
TDunk
Addicted to ArboristSite
I think every town has "that" family:censored:
glenn31792
ArboristSite Guru
give them mga's phone number 
ropensaddle
Feel Lucky
I would have changed my bid the minute I heard threats of lawyers to
20000 to cover court costs
I have walked on a few and done
a few that seemed scary but I guess it was the look in my eyes that
told them not to sue me It is funny ya don't even have to worry
much if ya look mean:hmm3grin2orange: Did I say look mean, yeah I
did and I am like a friggin cup cake really; but they don't know that:monkey:
20000 to cover court costs
I have walked on a few and donea few that seemed scary but I guess it was the look in my eyes that
told them not to sue me
It is funny ya don't even have to worrymuch if ya look mean:hmm3grin2orange: Did I say look mean, yeah I
did and I am like a friggin cup cake really; but they don't know that:monkey:
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Sunrise Guy
Addicted to ArboristSite
Don't do the job. Trust your gut feelings. No good will come of this. Let 'em sue another company, not yours!
treemandan
Tree Freak
Maybe get some money upfront and more as the job progresses. Looking mean, crazy and indifferent might help to. Or you could just walk.
Tazman1602
ArboristSite Operative
Bark Buster
ArboristSite Lurker
I would have told him as soon as her mentioned "lawyer" he talked me out of doing the job.
John Paul Sanborn
Above average climber
That seems to be the consensus, and I mostly agree. Even with a waiver they can sue anyone for anything.
Secondly, if they are living with the parents, then it is Mom or Dad that you should be talking to. Especially if you end up putting a lean on the property.
