20-04-2003, 02:32 PM
|
|
|
Poor Service and Worn Out
In article ,
says...
For my next contract for a backyard patio, I will put some of these details
in the contract. Anything specifically I should include?
I can speak from the point of view of condominium property management. I've
worked in that industry for the past 10 years so have seen a lot of contractors
come and go and witnessed how tough it is to get some of them to do exactly
what you've contracted for in writing.
Our contracts were written quite clearly.
They specified when a contractor would start "spring cleanup" and when it
should be finished by, weather permitting, of course.
They specified how much, and what type, of mulch would be applied (either in cu
yds or by inches of depth.) They also specified that the old mulch material
would be removed from the property and disposed of at contractor's expense.
Other things specified were the minimum number of "cuts" per year (typically 25
- 26 in the area I lived), types of fertilization to be applied (pre-emergent,
broadleaf, etc.), and when it should be applied. They outlined any plantings
the contractor was to do and what type of shrubs/etc. were to be installed, and
also spring & fall annuals if required.
Since we were contracting for business purposes, insurance (both liability and
worker's compensation) were required, with the liability limit of $1M. in most
cases.
Payment was typically made monthly, with an advance made at the beginning of
the spring to purchase mulch. It was specified that the last payment of the
season (usually October time frame) was a "holdback" to ensure that everything
in the contract had been done to our satisfaction.
Also, for hardscape, do you find that having a plan paid to get bids, is
better than getting the free plan from the local nurseries?
In business you typically take bids, and as a private homeowner it's not a bad
idea to do it either. Unless you know someone who trusts a contractor
implicitly, it's all too easy to have the unfortunate results that you did.
If it's too late in the season to get bids, and you want to do it next year,
call contractors and make an appointment for them to come out as soon as the
grounds are snow-free in the spring to "assess" what they'd charge for doing
your grounds. When they come to look at it, give them a written specification
of what you want done. Then, when you have several people look at it and give
you feedback on the specific things you've asked about, you can compare their
prices. Note that contractors will often give you information in a format
different from what you requested, so you will have to take the time to break
down the bids into "apples versus apples" rather than "apples versus oranges
versus plums versus pears".
Our contracts were also written that the "owner" of the property had final
approval of what the contractor did, and that either party could terminate the
contract in writing (certified, return receipt letter) with "X" days' notice
from either party.
And be sure to keep a signed copy of the contract! Sign two identical ones --
one for you and one for them.
I realize this may be WAY more info that you really wanted, but....thought I'd
spell it out in case someone might be interested.
--
Kim
"We have done so much with so little for so long that now we can do anything
with nothing." -- Dave Marcis
|