Charging Utilities for My time?

[Wellytrack]

How have people approached a power utility for what appears to be downright maliciousness driving the pole stay through land drainage and ruining concrete pipes?

 

[Forkdriver]

How have people approached a power utility for what appears to be downright maliciousness driving the pole stay through land drainage and ruining concrete pipes?

With a claim for restoration. Plus disturbance.

 

[Forkdriver]

If I am meeting with Contractors or Agents to achieve and outcome that benefits me, your suggestion has merit, but when it is to allow works to be carried out that will be just the opposite to me, my business and my land, I am afraid I must disagree with the argument you suggest.

I will see what the Agent from FG has to say...

I am only saying what they may say. Be prepared to refute it. I dealt with claims on behalf of acquiring authority for over 25 years and have heard all sides. My approach was always to remember that you may have to deal with people again and to leave them satisfied that they have had a fair deal. Contractors are another matter and not to be trusted.

 

[Wellytrack]

With a claim for restoration. Plus disturbance.

Had to get a 360 in pronto, shift charge, hourly driver rate, 15 ton digger full day, pipes bought and fetching, stone ditto. Reconnections made and field left good. Concrete pipes had been removed and soil just backfilled over it.
Damage done to field with digger travel in and out what with it being saturated and backing up with water for 4 plus months over the winter.

I’ve got photos and want to tackle them. A proper arse of a job they made.

 

[Forkdriver]

Had to get a 360 in pronto, shift charge, hourly driver rate, 15 ton digger full day, pipes bought and fetching, stone ditto. Reconnections made and field left good. Concrete pipes had been removed and soil just backfilled over it.
Damage done to field with digger travel in and out what with it being saturated and backing up with water for 4 plus months over the winter.

I’ve got photos and want to tackle them. A proper arse of a job they made.

I feel your pain.

 

[Sid]

I don't disagree sub contractors can be a nuisance or even a downright nightmare.

But having had a on farm contractor push an electric pole with a tractor, it was in his blind spot, Western Power came out with a team, after hours and up righted, re firm pole and made safe for free, it's all about some give and take isn't it?

 

[B R C]

Definitely a bit of give and take on occasion, had power company changing a few poles and four lines with single bundled line including lines to farm via another pole. Enquired about getting it underground from road and was told would have to ring them up to ask. A week later the ground manager came in and said he’s being thinking about it and if I get cabinet and trench sorted he can put it underground it return for allowing a stay on one of the poles. said stay only required because the cable going underground! The whole team were good lads and total cost for cabinet and my electrical costs about £2k. I hate to think what it might have been.
Pays to be helpful sometimes.

 

[steveR]

Definitely a bit of give and take on occasion, had power company changing a few poles and four lines with single bundled line including lines to farm via another pole. Enquired about getting it underground from road and was told would have to ring them up to ask. A week later the ground manager came in and said he’s being thinking about it and if I get cabinet and trench sorted he can put it underground it return for allowing a stay on one of the poles. said stay only required because the cable going underground! The whole team were good lads and total cost for cabinet and my electrical costs about £2k. I hate to think what it might have been.
Pays to be helpful sometimes.

Similiar here, WPD were doing a repacement overhead job in a few weeks time and as part of the working arrangement, I got a 70m trench dug and dropped their duct in. Then they pulled a new cable through to my cabinet from the new OH wires. Benfited both parties

 

[Kiwi Pete]

Definitely charge for your time, at a decent rate.

Think about what you could do in an hour; ranging from zero return (limewashing a wall) to huge return (eg filling out a claim form) and go somewhere in the middle, like £150/hr

 

[Ribble]

What does this sound like as a first draft?


In the event of any works or activity taking place in the future that requires my retaining a Land Agent to handle matters relating to the above proposed project, the charges detailed will also include any meeting and/or communication with any Land Agent working on my behalf.

--
Steve R

Shouldn't that say the charges detailed do not include the cost of the agent, which will be charged in addition, as per their schedule?

 

[steveR]

Had to get a 360 in pronto, shift charge, hourly driver rate, 15 ton digger full day, pipes bought and fetching, stone ditto. Reconnections made and field left good. Concrete pipes had been removed and soil just backfilled over it.
Damage done to field with digger travel in and out what with it being saturated and backing up with water for 4 plus months over the winter.

I’ve got photos and want to tackle them. A proper arse of a job they made.

That is DEFINITELY one for a good local Agent to tackle, especially the less tangible losses, like crop damage etc.

 

[Goweresque]

That is DEFINITELY one for a good local Agent to tackle, especially the less tangible losses, like crop damage etc.

Has anyone ever found an agent who is prepared to play hardball with the utilities? IME they all play it soft because they are all hoping to be on the other side of the equation at some point and be operating on behalf of the utility companies (kerching!) and don't want to get blackballed as a pain in the proverbial.

 

[steveR]

Has anyone ever found an agent who is prepared to play hardball with the utilities? IME they all play it soft because they are all hoping to be on the other side of the equation at some point and be operating on behalf of the utility companies (kerching!) and don't want to get blackballed as a pain in the proverbial.

Such a cynical take..... However could you believe such a thing?

 

[Forkdriver]

There's plenty of hardball agents about. Not all of them however will get the best result for you, as the opposite side can adopt the same attitude and you end up in the upper chamber of the lands tribunal where costs explode, and you end up getting what your actual loss amounts too. Plus costs.

 

[Steevo]

Has anyone ever found an agent who is prepared to play hardball with the utilities? IME they all play it soft because they are all hoping to be on the other side of the equation at some point and be operating on behalf of the utility companies (kerching!) and don't want to get blackballed as a pain in the proverbial.

This is one reason that smaller agents can sometimes be better than the big firms. They won't ever act for the utilitiy companies so have no reason to see feather a nest.

 

[ollie989898]

A Union approach would be handy for situations like this......but I’m not sure I fancy the NFU to set a decent rate on our behalf.

They would first ask if you are trained and assured to be a 'consideration advisor' and no doubt charge you £500/year for membership to an ISO accredited scheme.

 

[tepapa]

I'd want them to provide details on who to invoice and to what job number. All well and good saying you'll send an invoice but it's no good if you don't know who to send it too

 

[fermerboy]

Where we are next to the second largest substation in europe we have a lot of dealings with utilities, plus windfsrms, gas and water too.
Next door neighbours opening line to any phone call or visit is I'm billing you at £50/hr for my time. First discussion is where to send the bill. Definitely sorts the chancers out. If it gets to land agent and meetings are required I expect my time to be covered.
We are in the midst of a massive project just now and there has been an element for my time included all the way along.

My land agent is £170/hr and I suppose most are too so dont be afraid to ask.
You dont get a mechanic or tradesman for free so dont under value yourself.
I lost near a whole day with meetings and calls last week.

 

[Ffermer Bach]

I know I have seen mention of one or two doing this, and a spot of advice would be useful.

I have been approached by Fisher German on behalf of STW, in relation to a project that might take place on a nearby Sewage Treatment plant. FG have sent me a letter asking for ownership details and also to fill in some online form survey as well as well as no doubt, dealing with FG into the future.

I went through a similar rigmarole 18 months ago with the same companies albeit on a different project, that ultimately was cancelled. My involvement was as this time, filling in paperwork, speaking with FG and contacting Agents etc etc..... Most of you will have been down this road I am sure.

I am a bit hacked off at the expectation that I will simply do as they ask.... no mention of recompense, and not even a hint of a thank you, based on previous experience...

Should I email back and say I will cooperate, but at a fixed rate. Say £25/letter or form? Similiar for each phone call or short meeting...?

Any suggestions folks?

We have had to deal with Fisher German, not a happy experience for us (that is the understatement of the year), I remember someone saying "they would not urinate on Fisher German if they were on fire" and I can understand that sentiment.

 

[Ffermer Bach]

We are having a new power line across our land. Starting 2nd June, so will be damaging the growing wheat and OSR .
Had to meet the consultant and contractor this week on site to discuss a few logistics. Never thought to charge for my time, but now you’ve got me thinking. Took an hour of my day .

I remember the land agent telling me, on one of her projects, it was agreed xxxxxx would be done by the contractors to look after the landowners property, when it came to it, the contractors totally ignored any agreement and did whatever they wanted to get the job done quicker, so my advice would be watch yourself and if at all possible don't let them anywhere near your fields or if you have to, charge them through the nose for it.