Author Topic: Written Contract. (Read 2143 times)

Maineloggerkid · « **on:** July 02, 2009, 11:34:26 am »

I might be considering going to work as a handcutter for my friend's brother in-law. This is a big might. They had a falling out and my friend quit this morning. They had a dispute about taxes, among other things. I blame this largly on the fact that there was no written agreement, and it is hard to work for/with family.

IF I go to work for this fellow, I was planning on making a written contract, so that if there is any dispute, We can cunsult the contract and get the answer.My question is this:

What should I put in the contract? Obviously things like pay, taxing methods, job duties, and what the boss is responsible for, but is ther anything else I should include?

Thanks.

Ron Wenrich · « **Reply #1 on:** July 02, 2009, 04:42:13 pm »

I think a lot depends on if you'll be a subcontractor or an employee.

Maineloggerkid · « **Reply #2 on:** July 02, 2009, 04:49:35 pm »

I haven't really discussed it yet, but I think I would be an independent contractor.

Tillaway · « **Reply #3 on:** July 02, 2009, 05:47:55 pm »

As an independant contractor you would be picking up the tab for taxes, insurance as well as all costs associated with gettin gthe work done. Most folks use an hourly or day rate. That way if you have to full manufacture logs you don't have to worry about changing pay rates.

Most would probably want a bushel rate. Be sure to have different rates for harvest types, timber size and degree of difficulty to work the trees up.

You will certainly want a contract with payment frequency and other particulars spelled out. Do not be afraid to ask for a contract modifictions if the job changes.

As an employee around here you supply the saw power head the company picks up bars, chains, all fuel, including your truck, and oil. The company pays you by the hour.

Maineloggerkid · « **Reply #4 on:** July 02, 2009, 06:31:58 pm »

Wow, employees out there have it alot better than here. HEre the only thing the boss supplies is gas and oil for the saw, skidder, and a paycheck. Gas for the truck, chains, saws, everything else is up to the sawyer. pLus, we usually work 10-12 hour days. SOmetimes more if we need to meet a deadline or if we have had a couple slow days.

Tillaway · « **Reply #5 on:** July 03, 2009, 10:35:36 am »

6 hours a day 5 days a week too. California is 7 hour days 6 days a week. 6 hours is about all you can handle here and still work safely. Contractors sometimes put in more hours.

Ron Wenrich · « **Reply #6 on:** July 03, 2009, 04:13:28 pm »

I remember when I worked there in the early '70s, the cutters were only allowed to make $100/day and that would mean a 6 hr workday. I thought they worked longer when markets were good.

But, the high lead and yarder crews were expected to put in 10 hr days, 5 days a week. In the summer they went for 6 days. The company paid for the ride just one way.

Times have changed.

Maineloggerkid · « **Reply #7 on:** July 03, 2009, 09:33:11 pm »

Ya, see, usually I'm on the end of the saw for about 10 hours, no matter wether its 85 degrees, or 4 feet of snow. On a good day in the summer cutters around may cut and limb up to 150-175 trees. ( Granted the are smaller than your trees out there)

My friend and I were talking about pulling a 16 hour shift when we worked together, but that never got to take place. We wanted the over time, mostly.

sjfarkas · « **Reply #8 on:** July 04, 2009, 01:05:38 am »

I always have inclusions, exclusions and terms and conditions.
Inclusions-what I include, very specific
exclusions-what I wont do, once again very specific

Terms and conditions- This is where I get into payment terms, what the other party is required to do, I always state that changes in the project will result in changes in the price. There is always other little items I throw in depending on who I work for and the type of job. Develop a format and the rest falls into place.

SwampDonkey · « **Reply #9 on:** July 04, 2009, 03:30:31 am »

In the mid 90's the fallers were getting $350 a day on the north coast of BC. Left camp about the same time as the layout crews and cruisers and came back before everyone else. They worked 5 days, we worked 10 to 20 days straight, no such thing as weekends. 4 to 6 days off when we got back to the civilized world.

Maineloggerkid · « **Reply #10 on:** July 04, 2009, 08:33:25 am »

Here we don't get paid by the day. We get paid by the hour. Usually around $10/hour. Thanks so far for the info from everyone on contract stuff.

critter · « **Reply #11 on:** July 04, 2009, 03:07:14 pm »

I was a contract logger in South Dakota Wyoming Montana for many years the mills
bought the sales and I logged them all my cutters where indipendent you gave them
a strip to cut and they could cut 12 hours a day or 2 days a week they where payed
by the mbf I skided 7 days aweek we piled each cutters wood in a deck with his
initials on if they finished a strip and wanted new one you moved him to the last
stirp being cut and he started again the mill forester came out fri. and scaled the
decks and wrote down the initials on the decks and they cut us a check I payed
cutters on scale estimate till the wood was hauled the mills did the trucking for
themselfs then we settelled up on mill scale they cleaned you up every couple of
weeks the mill scale wasn't of the draw by much a good cutter could make a
1000. 1200. a week good money back then but they were totaly on there own
as far as equip. and time went we had to have comp. and liabilty I had an average
of fifteen at any given time the skidders and yard crew were mine and they were
paid on prodction you bet a@# they showed up 7 days aweeks

Tillaway · « **Reply #12 on:** July 04, 2009, 05:15:48 pm »

6 hours works for the 1:00pm shutdowns usually in August and September for fire danger. Right now they have a one hour fire watch... legally three but a waiver is usally granted for periods during lower fire danger.

Some guys use the x number gallons clock. Go through 1 1/12 to 2 gallons of gas and go home.

The least I have cut for is $11.00 an hour, company picked up all equipment and costs, back when times were tough. I think most guys are getting between $20 and $25 now. Contractors are around $350 a day.

Maineloggerkid · « **Reply #13 on:** July 04, 2009, 10:16:49 pm »

YA, we get $10 and have to cover are own stuff around my neck of the woods.

Ironwood · « **Reply #14 on:** July 04, 2009, 11:30:27 pm »

No offense, Loggerdude, but YIKES $10? Man that aint much to risk your neck for, in one of the most dangerous occupations. I'd sit that one out finding some other work until they decide to pay a decent wage. I was told somewhere in Colorado they were paying fiarly well for pine infestation cleanup cutting. If your single and mobile, I'd travel for some decent pay if you ABSOLUTELY need to work in the woods.

IMHO, Ironwood

SwampDonkey · « **Reply #15 on:** July 05, 2009, 05:23:09 am »

If I had to cut with my own saw and gas and get myself there, no less than $25/hr. Cutting brush pays way better than $10 an hour, so cutting down trees should be a bit more. We figure on $20/hr brush cutting on an 8 hr day. 10$/hour if your brushing line, supplied the gas and the saw and wheels. Sounds like they're stick'n it to ya.

Maineloggerkid · « **Reply #16 on:** July 05, 2009, 07:05:07 am »

There is a guy I know thats been with the same company for 28 years, and hes been runnning a harverstor for about 20, and he only makes $13. People around here don't want to pay up. Maine has the highest taxes in the nation and we are almost dead last in wages.

Ironwood · « **Reply #17 on:** July 05, 2009, 07:49:13 am »

There is a 1960's-70's song, cant remember the singer, "going mobile". Time to find some better digs man.

Ironwood

Maineloggerkid · « **Reply #18 on:** July 05, 2009, 09:31:59 am »

I'm thinkin' maybe.

Tillaway · « **Reply #19 on:** July 05, 2009, 05:26:31 pm »

Ten an hour is better than $0. The $20 to $25 is provided you can find a job. Unemployment here is 12.4% and climbing. Seems like people keep moving to Oregon and then start looking for jobs.

Woods jobs are few and far between right now. You have to have quite a pedigree to get any intrest.

The local mills are hiring for certain highly skilled jobs; electrical, rolling stock mechanics surprisingly.

Lots of under employed cutters, equipment operators and rigging rats available right now.

News:

Author Topic: Written Contract. (Read 2143 times)