[marriedmanw]

I hired a certified tree company (arborist) to cut down two large trees that were within 12' of my house. This morning I heard the trucks and saws going and looked out the window and they were taking down the limbs. About two and half hours later all the equipment turned off and they guys were taking a break in back yard. I went out and spoke with them about the project. They said they'll head out for lunch and be back later. About an hour later the trucks came back to house and they had their lunch boxes, and sat in the trucks eating lunch then proceeded to take a nap. I've done alot of work outdoors and I know it is tiring, but really!!!!

After arriving back at my house and eating/napping the equipment fired back up. Gone for one hour then eating/napping for one and half hours.

My wife and I thought it was a little much and looks bad for the company. This company is one of the top companies in our town and has excellent record with BBB, so it is not just a guy with pickup truck and chain saw.

I thought about telling the owner about this when he comes back to ensure job is complete and collect money. What do you think?

 

[joed]

If they cut the trees in the specified time at the specified price I would not concern myself with it.
If it was a time and material job then I would be concerned.

 

[Bondo]

If they cut the trees in the specified time at the specified price I would not concern myself with it.
If it was a time and material job then I would be concerned.

Ayuh,... Can't argue with that,...

I'm sure there's times folks think the same thing 'bout my crew,...
There maybe some circumstances You don't know 'bout...

So long as You got what ya paid for, at the agreed to price,...
You ain't got a dog in that race,... I'd mind my own business, myself....

 

[marriedmanw]

Ayuh,... Can't argue with that,...

I'm sure there's times folks think the same thing 'bout my crew,...
There maybe some circumstances You don't know 'bout...

So long as You got what ya paid for, at the agreed to price,...
You ain't got a dog in that race,... I'd mind my own business, myself....

I thought it was my business since it is my property. I like the results of the work performed so far, and I am not criticizing their work, nor arguing the amount agreed.

As a business owner perspective would you want to know what goes on at job sites that you could not manage? Would you want to know if employees were wasting your payroll? Would you be worried about promoting wrong image of your company?

I'm not going to argue over an internet message board concerning the topic, but rather if an business owner would appreciate the feedback or concern.

 

[Canucker]

Tell them, if it makes you feel better. Maybe they have an agreement worked out with the crews to take all their breaks at once or maybe its a way to keep good help outside of just throwing money at them.(All the money in the world wouldn't have kept me at a couple of places) Won't know till you ask.

I'm going to agree with the rest, if they cut the trees at the specified price, in the specified time, then no worries.

 

[Maintenance 6]

maybe he pays his crew by piece rate....... so much per tree. Number 1 son works for a landscaper who allocates so much time per job. If he allows 8 hours for a job and my son gets done in 4, he can go home, or head back to the shop for another job.

 

[TheEplumber]

A good owner knows his labor factors in order price his work. If he sees that a job ran over on man hours he should be talking to the crew about why.
The flip side is- it doesn't look good for a crew to be idle- even if circumstances dictate it(broken equip, waiting on parts, piece work, etc.) You may want to find a diplomatic way to tell the owner how it looks to you as a homeowner.

 

[bassJAM]

I'd probably call. It's your money that's paying them. I did landscaping for a year when I was laid off. Those jobs were billed by the man-hour, so we were really good with the books about keeping track of work time vs break time. But we also never took much of a break when we knew the homeowner was around. Arborists might be different; they probably bill by the job vs hours. But if I were the owner I'd still want to know if my guys were taking naps. That hour wasted could be spent at the next job site.

 

[chrisn]

I'd probably call. It's your money that's paying them. I did landscaping for a year when I was laid off. Those jobs were billed by the man-hour, so we were really good with the books about keeping track of work time vs break time. But we also never took much of a break when we knew the homeowner was around. Arborists might be different; they probably bill by the job vs hours. But if I were the owner I'd still want to know if my guys were taking naps. That hour wasted could be spent at the next job site.

As a former manager of a well known tree expert co, I would certainly want to know:yes:

 

[SeniorSitizen]

If there wasn't a time limit in the contract, forget it and let the company owner run his well respected business.

If you didn't have a contract, you've learned to get one that includes minute by minute of all activity including siesta time for the next job.