Stump Grinders - Do you have a disclaimer?

[S Mc]

We do not have a disclaimer nor would I have the client sign something like that. It is up to us to protect the client's property as best as possible. That might mean putting up barricades, tarps, moving vehicles, making sure the direction of possible projectiles is not aimed directly at windows, etc.

If we break something we fix it. And, yes, we put a rock through a window. No questions asked, told the client to have whoever they wanted fix it and send us the bill. Told them to hold payment on the job until they were satisfied. That incident taught us to be even more careful about direction the machine was not only facing but what was behind it.

Sylvia

 

[treemandan]

Just curious if anyone has a disclaimer. Something that says, "not responsible for damage to lawn, surrounding trees, shrubs, fences, autos, houses, windows, etc..."

Do you make them sign it?

Has anyone ever damaged a customers property in any way (that will admit it)?

If you have a disclaimer could you please post it?

Yeah, what do you think? You better be responsible if you want to come on my property bucko. This is getting outrageous!
Yeah I will sign something that says you can break whatever you want and I still have to pay you.

 

[mckeetree]

Just curious if anyone has a disclaimer. Something that says, "not responsible for damage to lawn, surrounding trees, shrubs, fences, autos, houses, windows, etc..."

Do you make them sign it?

Has anyone ever damaged a customers property in any way (that will admit it)?

If you have a disclaimer could you please post it?

Holy sh*t man. Nobody would sign some crap like that.

 

[Dadatwins]

Just curious if anyone has a disclaimer. Something that says, "not responsible for damage to lawn, surrounding trees, shrubs, fences, autos, houses, windows, etc..."

Do you make them sign it?

Has anyone ever damaged a customers property in any way (that will admit it)?

If you have a disclaimer could you please post it?

A disclaimer like that would send a clear message to the homeowner that you have no insurance and are simply there to collect a check. As for damage to a customers property I have acidently hit a few sprinkler lines and simply fixed them on the site or at worst came back the next day with parts. If you are grinding a stump next to someone's Ferrari and don't ask them to move it because you have a 'signed disclaimer' well good luck.

 

[thebiggreenone]

When we grind part of the agreement is that we are not responsible for underground pipes/wires/etc which we have not been made aware of, anything else is our fault.

And even with shields around the stump, there was a time where a rock flew over the shields, and through a 2nd story window like 70 feet away. Things happen no matter how careful you are, just be as careful as possible, and when things happen, take care of them.

 

[tomtrees58]

you brake you pay its biz tom trees

 

[treemandan]

Just Curious, I wasn't asking to be attacked.

Yes I broke a window, it was on the top window on a 3 story house that was about 75 feet away and up a hill. I was so shocked that it would throw a stone that high and that far. I had no choice on the direction of the machine because of the steep incline, trees on the bottom side, and the direction the roots were coming out. I already had the machine turned as far away as possible but with a 70" sweep it still threw it towards the house.

I was as careful as I could possibly be as I always dig around stumps before grinding to avoid rocks and any other hidden treasures. But there was some small dime size gravel under the stump. I always ask people to move things when possible. Yeah dadatwins I always aim straight at the Ferarri's.

The homeowner suggested I only charge them half of the job total instead of going through insurance and we both agreed to it.

As to everyones "holy crap, no one would ever sign something like that" attitude. I'm sure you sign crap like that all of the time, especially when it comes to insurance policies and other similar agreements. Take a look at your current homeowners policy, it is full of "not covered" incidents and items. They are always full of gotcha's like if it happens on a Tuesday, or if the humidity was above 36%, or if the first letter of the month begins in the letter J.

Yes true we sign crap like that but not for some guy with a machine to go nuts and wreck the place. Its not the same. Hell , if that was the case tree work would be easy!
" You want that 150' poplar that is leaning over the house cut down? No problem, 50 bucks, sign here, be right back, it'll just take a second."
Would you sign it? But your right, everybody else is doing it why can't we?

 

[ccrider2240]

hell if you break it you fix it:monkey:

 

[corndogg]

Yeah stump grinding is like gambling. I'd say any damage during stump grinding would be your fault except for unmarked sprinkler lines. I've been lucky lately. I did add a disclaimer to my estimate sheet for trees and stumps. "Preferred Tree Service not responsible for minor turf damage" We do what we can to take it easy on the lawn but I don't want to hear complaints about a few divots that we repaired as best we could after we took a huge tree down.

You really got reamed on this one though!opcorn:

 

[arbor pro]

I have a general pre-printed disclaimer on my proposal forms that points out that, whenever equipment is used on lawns, walks, driveways, etc, that damage is possible (implying mostly to lawn damage or cracks in walks/drives from heavy trucks). It openly invites the customer to discuss with the sales rep and crews any concerns they might have BEFORE the work begins.

Obviously, it is not a liability waiver meant to clear us from any and all damage we cause. Instead, it clearly states that damage may be possible and that the customer should ask us about what to expect just incase we haven't already brought the subject up ourselves.

What it HAS done for us is released us from liability for fixing torn up grass or ruts where equipment has had to access the work site. We always ask if the customer wants us to put down mats or drag everything out to protect the lawn but, usually, price becomes a factor and they agree to put up with some lawn damage. The disclaimer on our proposals just reminds them of what they agreed to unless stated in writing otherwise...

It also states that we do not to cleanup or dirt fill unless noted otherwise on the proposal to ensure that customers don't try to stick us with that by saying, "But, I'm sure you said you'd clean it up too for that price..."