03-10-2009 11:15 PM
EagleTree Don't forget a cancellation policy.
EagleTree,
I have a cancellation policy in my contract (10% fee if client cancels contract before work begins & if I have not broken the contract in any way). A client recently signed/dated a contract for over $1,000.00, then called me the next week to cancel, ostensibly because she had found someone who could do the job sooner than I (I had told her I was 1-2 weeks from time of contract signing to time we performed tree work). I think she just found someone who would do it for less money, but, hey, what do I know? Anyway, she became irate, saying that I had not pointed out the cancellation policy to her when I did the original estimate--even though she signed the clause that states, "I have read this contract in its entirety and agree to the same."
At this point I plan on invoicing her for the cancellation (10% of contract amount) and turning her over to a collections agency if she doesn't pay. Perhaps a bit draconian, but people need to be made to honor their commitments, in my opinion. . . .
What do other tree-business owners do with clients who sign such a contract and then try to bail out after making a commitment to have the work done?