New owner from India purchased a vacant lot. He had to cut down a 50 foot tree.
He decided to hire a couple of handymen, with limited equipment and resources
For $500.00. A professionals business said it cost $5,000 including grinding the branches.
Now some of the tree limbs fell on the adjacent owner’s property causing some damage
To her awning. Much more of the tree has yet to be taking down. There may be some additional damage. Whether these handymen have a permit, the lady doesn’t know?
She has been taking pictures of the damage so far. Should she notify her insurance company now, or should she wait till further damage is done to her home.

Contact the Insurance now... but I would also get pictures of the vehicles they drive as well as photos of them as well. Some localitites require people frpm roving businesses such as these people doing business in the Town limits to have a license issues by that Town. Mine does.


I'd go over to the Town or city hall and have a talk with some people there about this now. They might skip out without resolving this and be difficult or impossible to find if she waits. Being patient and waiting too long could prove very costly in this situation. I bet they are not insured or even licensed, A lot of this type of businesses aren't and they go door to door knocking on doors to get business.

I actually know someone that hired one of these and they put a large limb through the roof (they were one of my neighbors in fact), they ended up having to pay for it themselves....can't get blood from a stone.

Thank you. The lady did talk with code inspector about the situation.
Thanks for the advice. The man from India has a lot of businesses and also is an engineer. I guess he wanted to save a few bucks

My Neighbors own a successful business as well... was a hard lesson for them to learn too. If they skip out without paying she can sue the Landowner who hired them.

Good luck to your friend. Repairing the damage to the neighbors house could be his responsibility and more costly than if he hired licensed/bonded professionals.

In the end, the land owner who hired the workers will be liable. She should talk to him, also and ask what his plans are for repairing her property of current damage and future damage. She should ask him for copies of his liability insurance and the workers liability insurance.

Very good advice to tell the lady. This gentleman from India proposes to build a house on this lot. The elderly lady lives on social security. Now we can give her wonderful advice. Thanks so much

Here is an update. The lady had to take the man to Small Claims Court. She won and the judge awarded her monies. She is now looking for a handyman to do the work.

Was she able to collect?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ScottGem

Was she able to collect?

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Yes. She is very happy. He did not object. I wonder if she got her court cost back for filing $79.00 I forgot to ask her.