Money Second, Honesty and Fairness First
A new homeowner, well known to the Editor, reports his story:
SC, age 77, had just moved with his wife to the suburban neighborhood. Their former residence had been a half hour car trip, further north so they had no knowledge of their new neighbors or local contractors and relied upon their realtor to recommend service providers for their new home.
In the backyard of their new home, a huge tree, with giant limbs extended in several directions. One of the limbs, if it ever fell, would easily reach the home, likely crashing through the roof and possibly crushing anyone below. So, the new homeowner thought it prudent to seek the opinion of a qualified arborist or tree surgeon to assess the health of the tree; should the potentially threatening tree limb be cut down now, to eliminate any threat?
The new homeowner could have asked his neighbors for recommendations to a knowledgeable tree contractor but the person he was most familiar with was the realtor with whom he and his wife had just worked with to purchase this property. So, he asked the realtor, who immediately recommended TT, who came to the property the next day to assess the situation.
Looking up and walking completely around the base of the huge tree, TT noted that all the limbs and their smaller branches, were sprouting full clusters of green leaves. There were no visible cracks in the truck or any of the limbs. TT’s analysis: “This tree is healthy all around. I understand your concern but if I take down the one limb overhanging your house, then I must take down another limb on its opposite side, to balance the weight on either side of the trunk. I don’t think anything needs to be done.”
The new homeowner thanked TT and offered to pay for TT’s inspection time and opinion. “Not necessary,” said TT. “Your realtor hired me on behalf of the seller, to trim some of the other trees on the property so I’m familiar with this property. I now have another job nearby, so I didn’t have to go out of my way this morning to check on your situation. If you need any tree work in the future, just give me a call.”
There was no tree drama or concern for the next year, until there was: a limb from a different, smaller tree, which did not threaten any part of the house, fell on a fence at the rear border of the property. SC immediately called TT to ask for another inspection visit. “TT, I don’t know if you remember me from last year, but this time it’s a different tree and I don’t think I’ll be wasting your time, as it probably has to come down.”
TT returned promptly to the property, inspected the tree, and agreed it had to be completely taken down, as its trunk and remaining limbs displayed other cracks. Plus, the tree threatened a nearby, electric power line, which would make the job difficult and hazardous. TT then provided a cost estimate to SC, who silently gulped at the price but assumed it was fair since SC’s earlier contacts with TT seemed to confirm that TT was fair and honest. SC asked for no written estimate, just for the job to be done as soon as possible. TT said he already had a crew in the area so they would stop by, probably the same afternoon, to complete the tree cutting.
That afternoon, TT’s crew carefully cut down the tree, avoiding the electric wires during the process. After the remains of the tree were removed, SC thanked the crew chief and handed the full payment check to TT’s crew chief, who looked at it quickly, put it in his pocket and drove away.
The next morning, SC’s front doorbell rang at 7 a.m. SC opened the door to find TT standing outside, holding the check which SC had presented to TT’s crew chief the day before.
“I can’t accept your check,” said TT. “It’s the wrong amount, actually ten times more than what I told you the cost would be.”
Stunned, SC looked at the check. It was in the amount of $6,000. “But isn’t that the price you quoted?”
“No, I said six hundred dollars, not six thousand dollars!”
Said SC: “Oh, I guess I didn’t have my hearing aids in yesterday, when you gave me the price. Thank you so much for your honesty! I’ll get you a new check, right now.”
SC quickly returned with a new, blank check, which he filled out in the amount of $700. “Here, please accept the extra $100 as appreciation for your honesty. You’re my tree guy forever and know that I’ll be spreading this story throughout our neighborhood.”
Epilogue – When SC relayed the entire story to his wife, her comments were: “Wow, an honest contractor! We are so lucky to have found him. But please, from now on, wear your hearing aids when discussing the cost of any project and as a lawyer, you might want to get a quote in writing!”
