arborworks1
Treehouser
Carl gave me a simple contract that he uses. Anyone else have a good contract they use?
I just like to see what everyone else is including.
I just like to see what everyone else is including.
Work contracts
- Thread starter arborworks1
- Start date
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squisher
THE CALM ONE!!!!
I'm thinking about going to a contract now. Always worked on honor so far. Just finishing up collecting on a job after six months. I'm pissed about that, I've never lost out yet but I fear I'll get myself into trouble one day collecting what's owed to me. So yah I've been thinking about this same thing lately.
In some situations I think I'd feel somewhat uncomfortable saying the customer has to sign a 'contract'. How do y'all handle that? Do you use it all the time or only if it's a big job or the person seems sketchy or something?
In some situations I think I'd feel somewhat uncomfortable saying the customer has to sign a 'contract'. How do y'all handle that? Do you use it all the time or only if it's a big job or the person seems sketchy or something?
tophopper
The resident asshole
I always used the bid/ estimate sheet as a contract of sorts. I agree to provide said service for said price, you agree to pay said price when I complete said service. I sign, you sign. Easy.
bonner1040
Nick from Ohio
The best part about a contract is this:
Wood and debris remains the property of the customer until final payment is made and may be returned to customer if such payment is not made.
Freaking priceless and gives you a lot of recourse if they dont pay. You might not get your money but they get a load of chips on their doorstep and you get some good laughs and a nice vid to share with us!
Wood and debris remains the property of the customer until final payment is made and may be returned to customer if such payment is not made.
Freaking priceless and gives you a lot of recourse if they dont pay. You might not get your money but they get a load of chips on their doorstep and you get some good laughs and a nice vid to share with us!
tophopper
The resident asshole
Good luck with that.
squisher
THE CALM ONE!!!!
Yah I usually resort to the threatening with no witnesses present. And then flash the crazy eyes!
I made a guys wife cry once when I explained I was either leaving with the money or 'something'. He knew what I meant, she had to ask though. I explained 'something' would be a item or items like tools or electronics.
I like your idea Top, sign the bid. Seems somewhat informal still.
I made a guys wife cry once when I explained I was either leaving with the money or 'something'. He knew what I meant, she had to ask though. I explained 'something' would be a item or items like tools or electronics.
I like your idea Top, sign the bid. Seems somewhat informal still.
sotc
Dormant hero!!
Here we are required to have a written contract if the bid is over $2k. 99% of the time I have a written bid with a place to sign, if I get a funny feeling or if the bid is over $2k I get a signature.
squisher
THE CALM ONE!!!!
That seems like a good threshold. What about e-mailed quotes and than a e-mail confirmation back?
sotc
Dormant hero!!
Haven't really worried about those much, again, if they feel a bit off, i'll write one up to sign
Burnham
Woods walker
bonner1040
Nick from Ohio
Thats what the contract @ te company i work for says. I cant post a pic of it cause it is not my company... but word for word as im reading it:
The undersigned herby gives tophopper permission to enter above property and have work performed by tophopper. Down Payment is required at the signing of this agreement and balance due upon felling. Cancellation of this agreement by customer may forfeit deposit. Wood is the property of customer until final payment is received and may be returned if final payment is not made. Stump grinding is a separate line item charge and is not included in the price of tree removal.
I dont know that we have, not in my time for sure, but we have threatened to dump chips on people and they pay right up.
bonner1040
Nick from Ohio
Thats what the contract @ te company i work for says. I cant post a pic of it cause it is not my company... but word for word as im reading it:
The undersigned herby gives tophopper permission to enter above property and have work performed by tophopper. Down Payment is required at the signing of this agreement and balance due upon felling. Cancellation of this agreement by customer may forfeit deposit. Wood is the property of customer until final payment is received and may be returned if final payment is not made. Stump grinding is a separate line item charge and is not included in the price of tree removal.
I dont know that we have, not in my time for sure, but we have threatened to dump chips on people and they pay right up.
bonner1040
Nick from Ohio
to be clear that is printed on the bottom of our bids, we have them sign under customer and we countersign for each and every job.
brendonv
Tree Hugger
There was a thread while back where everyone posted their contract terms. I derived mine from those. I have people sign if they seem flaky. I can try to take a pic or send you one if you want.
SouthSoundTree
Treehouser
I write a work order/ contract for virtually everything. I don't always get it signed. Most everybody I have worked for has been no problem. The biggest problem/ only time I didn't get paid was when I sub-contracted for another guy (which I ranted about, and used as a reminder for people to get it in writing).
For people on the up and up, it just serves as a tool in case one side or the other forgot we included/ didn't include something, and the price.
One guy I work with at Parks thought we agreed on $650 when it was $675. We both knew what the scope of the work was. I just put 675 in my phone contacts next to his name, so I had a reminder. Came in handy. He didn't have any problem with the $25, and felt like he was still getting a deal. I didn't have any problem saying, 'actually it was $675', and I didn't mind getting the full amount, as I was giving him a good deal.
Never had to chase anybody down for money, thankfully, but have had to refer to scope of work a time or three.
I'll scan my contract sometime, in case it is of use to anybody.
One thing that I have is a signature for Acceptance of Proposal, including that they own the trees or have the authorization to have the work done (if its a neighbor's tree I like to have a simple note/ email from the neighbor with authorization to do the work and have access).
Then, I have a signature and date area for Acceptance of Satisfactory Completion. I feel that this will avoid some liability if someone trips over a pine cone and wants to sue, or there is a divot and they twist an ankle the next summer mowing the lawn. Can avoid a call back if one owner okays the clean-up but another wants something more that would necessitate a return trip expense (especially if I do all the negotiation with the husband or wife, and then the other "thought" we were going to do something different).
For people on the up and up, it just serves as a tool in case one side or the other forgot we included/ didn't include something, and the price.
One guy I work with at Parks thought we agreed on $650 when it was $675. We both knew what the scope of the work was. I just put 675 in my phone contacts next to his name, so I had a reminder. Came in handy. He didn't have any problem with the $25, and felt like he was still getting a deal. I didn't have any problem saying, 'actually it was $675', and I didn't mind getting the full amount, as I was giving him a good deal.
Never had to chase anybody down for money, thankfully, but have had to refer to scope of work a time or three.
I'll scan my contract sometime, in case it is of use to anybody.
One thing that I have is a signature for Acceptance of Proposal, including that they own the trees or have the authorization to have the work done (if its a neighbor's tree I like to have a simple note/ email from the neighbor with authorization to do the work and have access).
Then, I have a signature and date area for Acceptance of Satisfactory Completion. I feel that this will avoid some liability if someone trips over a pine cone and wants to sue, or there is a divot and they twist an ankle the next summer mowing the lawn. Can avoid a call back if one owner okays the clean-up but another wants something more that would necessitate a return trip expense (especially if I do all the negotiation with the husband or wife, and then the other "thought" we were going to do something different).
