Over the weekend I have had to walk away from a job as the customer is making life very difficult and stressful.
I want to be open about how this has occurred and warn any companies who may be asked to quote to finish off what I've started.
The whole process has taught me massively about larger scale jobs and ensuring I've listed everything (dotting the I's and Crossing the T's), and dealing with awkward customers (never been treated like this ever and have been in the service industry for 30+ years).
Although I sent a written/email quotation for the work, no formal contract (details) were agreed upon by the client and myself. Following a five day period of work I noted that the alarm bells started happening and noted the 'nit picking' of everything that had been done to date. In total I think I felled/dismantled 9 trees, crown reduced 4 large sycamores, removed two large limbs (the size of small trees), removed a very dangerous widowmaker which then needed reducing back to main stem…piled brash and logs (he complained that they were messy)…I asked him to pay a part payment (cash flow and small businesses) to help cover the external contractors I brought in...but he refused saying I hadn't finished the job and I wouldn't receive a penny until all the work was completed.
Now I've walked away I've asked him to give me £2200 to cover both the costs of the two guys I’ve had in for two days and a very meagre sum towards the five days I’ve done there personally! I've not received a penny and now he’s actually threatening to charge me if the cost to finish the work exceeds my quote! Ironically I had everything set for yesterday to finish the job with four workers, a quadbike and trailer and an 8'' tracked chipper but he wouldn't agree to the details I'd set out and therefore, decided I didn't want to deal with him any more.
The guy has obviously been through this situation before judging by the terminology he uses in his emails... But I will see this one to the bitter end...as he has used bullying tactics to try and get the job done for nothing and that doesn't sit right with me.
I really want to name the guy but I'm pretty sure that will be slanderous and I want to prevent arming him with any more ammunition. He's definitely the sort that would take it to the next stage...
PLEASE PLEASE Be careful folks!
Cheers
Cliff