Thread: My evening.....

need to vent....

Got a call around noon today. Tree on a house. I said I would stop by between 2 & 4pm and look at it. I get there at 4pm and the lady expects me to be ready to do the job and tarp the roof. I explain to her how most insurance estimates go (usually a goose chase than ends in no work). I asked her on the phone if she wanted me to come prepared to do the work and if so, there would be a fee for the estimate. She said, I just need an estimate for the agent. The agent ok'd the work. And I told her I would come out in the dark and cut it off the house before it rains. She was talking to boyfriend about getting a tarp. I said I was going to get my equipment and I would return.

The tree came down Sunday night/Monday morning....I just got the call today.

Ok the agent gives her the ok and she tells me to get the tree off the roof. I told her I did not have a tarp big enough to put over her roof and she should contact the roofer to get one. I asked her to move a car before I return so I could get to work when I return. The car is not moved when I return.

So at 4:45pm I start calling my guys to see if anyone can go out tonight before the rain (it is raining now). We got the tree off the roof and I asked if she had a tarp to put on the roof. "I thought you were going to bring it"....and now we have a problem....she thinks it is my problem. I asked her if she had roofing nails and a hammer so I could secure some tarps. We used a few 8X10 tarps we use for clean up. I told

No thank you or anything for coming out at night and cutting this tree off our house before we get poured on. I am such a schmuck for caring about customers.

you can't save them all.looks like a tree that should have been removed long ago.

some people just don't have a clue

I hope you put the greenery to them!
Emergency work gets the Emergency Bill !

Tarp should never have been an issue, before any work is started, customer signs written detailed estimate and standard contract.

Around here there are restoration contractors who the insurance companies deal with. The tree companies then sub contract to the restoration contractors. The restoration guys then have to deal with the homeowners, get the tarps (usually there is one of their crew waiting for us to get the tree off so they can begin tarping), fix the roof etc.

Dealing directly with the homeowners in these situations is a pain, because they are emotional about having their house wrecked. Much easier to deal with a calm third party.

'Tis the Season, fa-la-la-la-la...la-la-la
Oh well, ya did good man, as well stated above some folks just don't have a clue, sheesh!



Serge

Originally Posted by reachtreeservi

I hope you put the greenery to them!
Emergency work gets the Emergency Bill !

Tarp should never have been an issue, before any work is started, customer signs written detailed estimate and standard contract.

True enough. The hardest part about dealing with insurance companies is learning how to charge enough to get the job done.

People are not in their right mind when a tree is on their house.

If whole tarps are not available you could take plastic garbage bags and slide them under shingles so the water runs over the hole.

Anyway sounds like a tough night; hope you get paid well for the aggravation.