Excavator hits post

[Kentuckyfarmer]

I had a after hour business for several years doing work with a small highlift or track loader some call it. I backfilled new houses, ruff grade for yards on new construction, filled to level I don't know how many pole barns, cut driveway and spread tons of gravel, cleared lots for houses, barns what ever. In all the times I never hit or damaged any building. What gets me is the guy hit a pole and broke it in half and then tore up the side with a bobcat. I may have gave him he// over the pole but would have ran him off after the second mishap. He would not be coming back for future work on my place and would pay for the repair by who I wanted. The man hired him to do a job. Not tear up something and give the man headaches.

 

[TheMan419]

I'm of the thought that we all make mistakes. If we were written off every time we did that it would mean none of us have any business.

So far the excavator has been very stand up. He is the one that brought out a contractor to look it over. He could have easily said just get it fixed and deduct from what you owe me.

The job that he did was priced in writing before it was started. So I am good there. We can then either have him do the repairs or I can have someone do it and deduct.

As for the time to find a contractor. The guys that built the barn are on site today building stalls so it will be them that do the repair if the price is right. If they are trying to gouge the excavator I am of the mind to let the excavator do the repair (or his guy).

Pain in the butt for sure. However both of the parts damaged are non structural and fairly easy repairs.

 

[KYErik]

Sounds like you have all your bases covered. Glad to hear it.

 

[ovrszd]

I'm of the thought that we all make mistakes. If we were written off every time we did that it would mean none of us have any business.

So far the excavator has been very stand up. He is the one that brought out a contractor to look it over. He could have easily said just get it fixed and deduct from what you owe me.

The job that he did was priced in writing before it was started. So I am good there. We can then either have him do the repairs or I can have someone do it and deduct.

As for the time to find a contractor. The guys that built the barn are on site today building stalls so it will be them that do the repair if the price is right. If they are trying to gouge the excavator I am of the mind to let the excavator do the repair (or his guy).

Pain in the butt for sure. However both of the parts damaged are non structural and fairly easy repairs.

I applaud your approach to this problem. Our society tends to first throw rocks. Thanks for this post. :thumbsup:

 

[TheMan419]

I applaud your approach to this problem. Our society tends to first throw rocks. Thanks for this post. :thumbsup:

Yes in today's world it is too easy to throw things away. I am sure that I will need dirt moved again in my life time. I suspect that if I treat this guy right he will do the same.

Also the remaining job that needs done, I have not only a written bid from this guy, but bid from another excavator. This guy is 25% cheaper. He is also easier to deal with, returns calls or emails and what not.

 

[bigtiller]

Everybody makes mistakes, no one is perfect..... Except for this one guy years ago, but he was crucified. When I learned that, I changed my ways.

 

[TheMan419]

Everybody makes mistakes, no one is perfect..... Except for this one guy years ago, but he was crucified. When I learned that, I changed my ways.

I have heard of him!

 

[bspeedy]

I applaud your approach to this problem. Our society tends to first throw rocks. Thanks for this post. :thumbsup:

Agree 100%. Calm and rational typically gets the best results. Good on you and I hope the results are to your satisfaction.

 

[hawkeye08]

I am willing to work with folks that admit mistakes and try to make it right. I have no tolerance for those trying to cover things up and pull one over on me. I work from home and spend a fair amount of time on conference calls. I am very glad for the mute button and try and keep it on unless I intend to speak to the group... as sometimes I blurt out a BS comment...

 

[ovrszd]

I have heard of him!

Cue Cheech and Chong!!!!

 

[ovrszd]

I am willing to work with folks that admit mistakes and try to make it right. I have no tolerance for those trying to cover things up and pull one over on me. I work from home and spend a fair amount of time on conference calls. I am very glad for the mute button and try and keep it on unless I intend to speak to the group... as sometimes I blurt out a BS comment...

Having spent hours and hours and hours on Military conference calls I learned that technique early on.

 

[TheMan419]

So not to bring up my own old thread....

Turns out I fired this excavator. Not for hitting the post or barn door. But for not being communicative and not showing up when he said he would.

We waited until mid June for him to do final excavation. He came and looked at the job and said ANY little bit of mud and he could not do final. So we called some contacts and got another excavator to come look at it. He said easy to do even with some mud. Just push the mud out of the way.

We had a hill on our property. That hill has not been lowered by taking the top off to put dirt where we needed it. Actually he dug a big hole with a back hoe. Then pushed dirt off the top of the hill to fill it in when he was done. Guess where the mud ended up? Yep, bottom of hole.

He came out on a Sunday (with a friend to help) to do the job. I think it was the fact that I offered CASH that sealed the deal.

In any event he started on a Sunday in July at 9 a.m. and worked until about 7 p.m. Paid cash and he was out the door. Job looks fantastic.

Cost was within 10% of what the other excavator had quoted, so no worries there.

Needless to say Sunday night I got to send an email to the "bad" excavator telling him he lost the job. That was fun to send.

The bad excavator was also to deliver sand for footing for the riding arena. Well I found a different supplier to deliver and spread for 60% of what the "bad" excavator wanted just for delivery.

So I was getting screwed.