To be fair, IB said ‘if you dont check for oxidation’ and ‘if you rinse with too much pressure’. Sounds like he was describing a situation in which the technician failed to take the steps necessary to properly deal with an oxidation situation, including discussing it with the homeowner beforehand. If the owner wasn’t warned, and if the tech did a lousy job, i doubt it will be very easy to walk away from the situation without having to do something extra to appease them.
Now if you properly discuss the situation with the homeowner, like you describe, then you shouldnt have to do anything if the oxidation is visible.
I’ve spent the last 14 years as a window cleaner avoiding claims for scratched glass and defective windows because of the prevailing attitude that the last person to touch it is responsible. That is not not true and will not hold up in court. Oxidation is a result of poor quality siding and just because you washed it doesn’t mean legally that you own it. That’s where a solid Terms & Conditions comes in and having a competent lawyer who can turn this back to the manufacturer is a must. I will not be responsible for problems with low quality oxidized siding no matter what it looks like because I have it in my T&C and the customer signs off on it.
"Due to widespread problems with poor quality vinyl siding which deteriorates in sunlight and becomes oxidized with a white chalky substance on the surface, INSERT COMPANY NAME will not be liable for any splotchy or uneven patches on the homeowner’s siding after a house wash.
It is accepted and understood by ALL parties that industry standard low pressure wash procedures will be used and such procedures can safely remove mold, mildew, algae, dirt and other organic substances from the surfaces to be cleaned without damage to the siding.
Furthermore, it is accepted, that any pre-existing conditions such as oxidation, loose siding, rusted fasteners, leaking seals or otherwise damaged or sub-par siding can and will likely cause patchiness, uneven patterns or rust stains on the siding after a wash and INSERT COMPANY NAME is not responsible for any conditions that result as a result of a pre-existing condition.
This clause must be included on all contracts. If this clause is not acceptable, there is no contract between INSERT COMPANY NAME and customer."
If this was a legal precedent then I would not have written a $750 check to my mechanic this morning because when he went to replace a $60 cam position sensor, the sensor broke off in the engine and he had to remove the intake manifold to get it out. My problem - not his. Don’t teach new guys to accept responsibility for a homeowner’s crappy situation. Not your problem.
Legalize may get you out on a technicality but it doesn’t build character. You screw it up you take care of it. Not your insurance. You. Man up and do what’s right. Easiest on the wallet to just not wash it.
I doubt @Steve is a sucker. I’d bet anything that the part breaking was not the mechanic’s fault.
I agree with the more moderate approach Steve is suggesting here. We can’t be heroes simply because we sometimes handle property that isn’t in perfect condition. We need to set expectations, but we should also expect a level of reasonableness from our customers. I like Steve’s conditions of service; I may adapt them for my company.
If we cause the problem, we fix it. I also look for oxidation and will inform the owner about the possibilities. If they choose to move forward, it’s on them and not me.
I’m ok with that. My remarks are to the guys who don’t know what ox is, don’t warn the homeowner, and make the situation worse. Then you bought the whole kettle of fish. Plugs in a 2003 5.4. Most mechanics will quote r and r at about $65 each with additional charge of $100 if the plug snaps.some take a gamble, don’t want to lose the customer because of a possible high bill and only charge the $60. If they break the spark plug it’s on them, not the customer. Once again, I dont care how anyone else runs their business. I sleep good at night the way I run mine. If they can also, so be it.
It’s not a technicality except in your mind. It’s called a principle or rule that governs a civilized society.
If you want to be responsible for everyone’s misfortune that’s up to you.
I washed a dark brown vinyl sided house a couple of years ago and some of the soffit faded to a light brown color but some did not. The customer went after the siding Mfg and after 2 years they finally agreed to replace it at no cost because it was defective. I have washed the house and cleaned the windows twice since then.
According to you I should roll over and play dead and accept responsibility for it. Well, I don’t have the luxury that you do of turning down a hundred jobs a year.
If I read your posts right you hardly wash anything except commercial properties where the management could care less. You don’t wash wood, you don’t wash dry-vit, you don’t wash yellow, brown, green, blue. What exactly do you wash?
He’s unethical because now I have a complete coolant flush, new intake manifold gasket, new plenum gaskets, a new water manifold, new cam position sensor, new thermostat housing and my van runs like new and he want’s me to pay a reasonable cost for it? Honestly Will, if you are the kind of person that would stick your mechanic for all that, you’re the un-ethical one trying to capitalize on your mechanics mis-fortune. Seriously? That’s not character.
Lot of hatred Steve. Didn’t mean to get your conscience riled up lol. My apartment managers care a great deal. Not sure why you say they wouldn’t. We wash about 45 apartment communities, 25 town home communities, a couple hundred houses and thousands of gutter clean outs. No roofs, decks, driveways or oxidized siding lol. Relax. I don’t care how you run your business or what you do with your customers.
Haha, you wish it was that easy. You just don’t like being called out on your hypocrisy. Good night Will, I also could care less how you run your business. I respect your knowledge and that will never change. You know your stuff and I’ll give you that. The rest is up for debate. lol
I don’t get the hypocrisy. I’m old and don’t mind being called names if it makes you feel better. I’ll stop posting after the period at the end of this sentence so you can get the last word .
Hahah! I’m older than you! You’re not being called names, stop being a drama queen. Get some sleep and in the morning when you are drinking coffee on your back porch and watching the hummingbirds or whatever, re-read the thread and think about how you want to screw your auto mechanic out of $700 because a part broke. That’s the hypocrisy. Instead of screwing him, I just manned up and paid like an adult who understands that (you know what) happens. Wasn’t his fault but you would have made him eat it.
Not true. There was a class action lawsuit against Champion and Ford because it was a faulty design. Any mechanic who accepts responsibility for the design flaw is an idiot. Local Ford dealer had an 04 F-150 for sale. I offered cash but stipulated that they had to replace the plugs with the newer kind before the sale. They actually said no and so I didn’t buy the truck.
.
