What do you do when you damage homeowner property?

[ROLLACOSTA]

if i break something i replace or repair it..but if shrubs get dammaged because there under the tree or the tree is in a shrub border..then sorry im not replacing it ..guy round here has them sign his terms and conditions before he starts any work ..payment on completeing job ..and .not replacing shrubs plus some other stuff..with some home owners takeing months to pay me i might look into this [TERMS AND CONDITIONS]

 

[VTclimber]

We always carry company construction cones with us, and if we see lighting or irrigation systems in the impact area we throw a cone over them, just as a reminder that there is something there. The only thing you have to watch out for with that is if the light is on, it can melt the cone. Also we'll throw a couple of burlap sacks over top of small ornamental shrubs or bulbs, just as a little cushoning.

 

[underwor]

Did you ever notice how hard it is to tear up something when it is okay to do so? I was asked to take the tops out or some large Silver Maples so that the old farm stead could be bulldozed out, house and all. So I dropped the tops, most of them at least 3' in diameter where I cut them, on top of the house ( a little Sears and Roebuck special from the 30's). Did not disturb a shingle, window or even the little decorative posts holding up the front porch roof. The dozer operator pushed it clear off the foundation before he cracked the first window out of it. Why aren't these houses under the trees we work on? No rigging would be needed.

Bob

 

[jmchristopher]

Working with a number of crews day in and day out, I consider a low level of breakage aggravating but normal. The best policy I've found is to first make sure the crew person responsible understands why the accident happened and how he'll see to avoiding it in the future. Then I always take the issue right to the client. In most cases I make a bigger deal of the situation than it strictly warrants. Often the client will see that we are upstanding and that we can be trusted to set things right. The next step is to jump on getting the items fixed/replaced.
Not many clients expect perfection, and are usually ready to recognize conscientious and honorable work as being the next best thing to it.