Charging Utilities for My time?

steveR

Member
Mixed Farmer
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?
 
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steveR

Member
Mixed Farmer
Don't undersell yourself, £25/hr is cheap compared to what the 'professionals' you're dealing with will be charging. And also remember the legal profession's nice little earner, minimum billing units. I'd suggest £50/hr, with a minimum unit of 15 minutes. So a two or three minute phone call gets billed as 15 mins or £12-50.

I thought 25 quid for Letters and emails.... So it'll be easy to justify 50/hr for the flat rate. ;)
 

DRC

Member
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 .
 

steveR

Member
Mixed Farmer
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 .

Oh yes, farming on the edge of Telford and so much infrastructure stuff going on all the time has seen a lot of my life dealing with it...

It can soon eat into a day in my experience dealing with various bods, all wanting our time for nowt.
 
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puppet

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
sw scotland
I presume you have an agent which they will pay for. I charge £40 /hour. Get a diary, write down every contact, phone call and meeting. The agent will bill them.
Everyone else will be paid for their time.
Friend had new power lines across silage fields and they left a coil of wire in the grass. Mower a big bang and a big compensation
 

steveR

Member
Mixed Farmer
I presume you have an agent which they will pay for. I charge £40 /hour. Get a diary, write down every contact, phone call and meeting. The agent will bill them.
Everyone else will be paid for their time.
Friend had new power lines across silage fields and they left a coil of wire in the grass. Mower a big bang and a big compensation

The problem is often the preliminary work and discussions, prior to engaging an Agent.

I reckon the last one took a day of my time easily...
 
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puppet

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
sw scotland
Unless you have some background knowledge I would advise getting an agent from the off. We had a year of planning before turf was broken and agent negotiated for us with a deal I would not have asked for.
The companies will like to deal with you because it prevents paying for your agent too.
My experience is to be very careful and get it written down as agreements are easily denied or forgotten.
 

steveR

Member
Mixed Farmer
Unless you have some background knowledge I would advise getting an agent from the off. We had a year of planning before turf was broken and agent negotiated for us with a deal I would not have asked for.
The companies will like to deal with you because it prevents paying for your agent too.
My experience is to be very careful and get it written down as agreements are easily denied or forgotten.

Oh believe you me, there will be an Agent involved from a very early stage, I have over 40 years of experience now of dealing with these types, so I have learned that good professional advice is actually cheap! :) Especially when the Utility pays the fees.

However, I have 2-3 hours minimum before then...
 

Flat 10

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Fen Edge
Oh believe you me, there will be an Agent involved from a very early stage, I have over 40 years of experience now of dealing with these types, so I have learned that good professional advice is actually cheap! :) Especially when the Utility pays the fees.

However, I have 2-3 hours minimum before then...
I ignore the forms, it’s when they chase you that it gets my goat. If they want me they can go through my agent. People I’m currently dealing with say they are coming whether I like it or not. If I deny access they will get a court order. They will be told to get one. Bunch of jokers.
 

Pigken

Member
Location
Co. Durham
Slightly off topic, but had conversation with northern power grid engineer yesterday and he said some agents charge £180 an email. But he also said only a tracked vehicle would be taken up field. Although fresh tyre tracks through gate as well as tracked vehicle machine. Was emergency repairs, as someone shot insulators out. Worst thing is pole not on my land, but where they took fence down have used copper staples. Will be issuing them with bill for part of fence damage to grass with tracks, were in part of field with out poles and spun it on spot. May sound petty but have been trying to get a way leaves agreement from them for almost 3 years. Have noted every phone call, every email etc and they will have choice of pay up or remove apparatus as 2 years notice to quit has been issued. These companies let themselves down massively every time.
 

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