................... and you want us to give you advice for free !!?!
Nah, it's for the common good, as we will all start taking them on....!!
................... and you want us to give you advice for free !!?!
What does this sound like as a first draft?
Dear Ms xxxx
Ref: xxxx
I am in receipt of your letter of 11 May regarding the proposed works at xxx.xxx.
Before responding in any detail to your letter, my Terms for handling this matter in the initial stage are as follows:
My time will be charged at £50/hour with a minimum billing unit of 15 minutes, for each and every call, meeting, or written communication with yourself, or any agent or representative of Fisher German or STW.
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.
I would appreciate your acceptance of these terms prior to any further response from myself
--
Steve R
Good to me. Although it can be fun to wait until the end and hit them with the bill when they have the equipment on the ground - if you have confidence it’s going ahead.
No idea at quite what they want from me, if anything. It is more the attitude that bugs me!
I feel exactly the same. I'm dealing with Thames Water at the moment, and its the arrogance that gets to me, how they just expect you to drop everything and dance to their tune. And they don't like it when you push back. If the utility companies stopped being such a-holes towards landowners and were prepared to balance their needs against the farmers needs over a longer period I'm sure that they would get far more co-operation and efficient project outcomes as a result. But as it is there's never a 2 way street, its all on their terms only. If the landowner wants something done then its always 100% commercial terms, yet they expect landowners to allow them favours all the time. There's never any reciprocation. Image how much more favourably landowners would react if the approach was more something along the lines of 'We need to do this asap, we realise its going to be a big disruption for you, so if there's anything we can do for you, such as moving poles or putting lines underground, or new or upgraded supplies, please let us know, we'll look at what we can do to help'.
That is too cheap. You are the managing director of your business with other time critical activities to be getting on with. You wouldn’t get their MD for 50/hour so why should they get you? I would open at £150. That is still less than an agent.What does this sound like as a first draft?
Dear Ms xxxx
Ref: xxxx
I am in receipt of your letter of 11 May regarding the proposed works at xxx.xxx.
Before responding in any detail to your letter, my Terms for handling this matter in the initial stage are as follows:
My time will be charged at £50/hour with a minimum billing unit of 15 minutes, for each and every call, meeting, or written communication with yourself, or any agent or representative of Fisher German or STW.
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.
I would appreciate your acceptance of these terms prior to any further response from myself
--
Steve R
This is why my default answer to almost anything involving utilities, wayleaves etc. is usually no.
David RIchardson's opinion piece in this week's FW seemed rather timely having read this thread the last couple of days.
I feel exactly the same. I'm dealing with Thames Water at the moment, and its the arrogance that gets to me, how they just expect you to drop everything and dance to their tune. And they don't like it when you push back. If the utility companies stopped being such a-holes towards landowners and were prepared to balance their needs against the farmers needs over a longer period I'm sure that they would get far more co-operation and efficient project outcomes as a result. But as it is there's never a 2 way street, its all on their terms only. If the landowner wants something done then its always 100% commercial terms, yet they expect landowners to allow them favours all the time. There's never any reciprocation. Image how much more favourably landowners would react if the approach was more something along the lines of 'We need to do this asap, we realise its going to be a big disruption for you, so if there's anything we can do for you, such as moving poles or putting lines underground, or new or upgraded supplies, please let us know, we'll look at what we can do to help'.
That is too cheap. You are the managing director of your business with other time critical activities to be getting on with. You wouldn’t get their MD for 50/hour so why should they get you? I would open at £150. That is still less than an agent.
What had he got to say?
That is too cheap. You are the managing director of your business with other time critical activities to be getting on with. You wouldn’t get their MD for 50/hour so why should they get you? I would open at £150. That is still less than an agent.
There's nothing set down as to what is reasonable, and an argument is sometimes made that as you are the manager, your time is already covered.
There's nothing set down as to what is reasonable, and an argument is sometimes made that as you are the manager, your time is already covered. Hourly rates based on annual income don't work either if you have made a loss. Try to find a compromise that is by custom and practice, otherwise at some point the acquiring authority can seek legal access. Most agents action is to reach agreement as compulsory powers are there for a reason.
I know of some agents and farmers who object to everything on principle. If there is no reasonable alternative scheme available it will happen, like it or not.
I’m afraid I won’t talk to anyone
It all goes through the Agent
And the other party pays all reasonable expenses agreed at the outset
Burnt before
Get an Agent onboard