Kitty Litter and Success

We extended our rental agreement on an 80’ Genie Boom Lift from weeks to months and had the lift moved to a new jobsite.  While it was bigger than we needed, two smaller rental agreements cost more than one longer one and we are always looking for ways to save customer’s money. 

The larger lift did an excellent job of allowing our painters access to deck features, parapets and roofing details on a 4 story building that we were re-staining.  The larger 8’ basket also allowed us to carry a small compressor and staple gun to reattach loose wooden shingles.  This became a lot more important as we noticed that a majority of the shingles were becoming loose with the freeze/thaw conditions of the mountain resort we were working in.

Then a rear axle on our rental lift began to leak hydraulic fluid.  At first just a few drops, but by the weekend, larger spots were appearing every time we moved the lift.  A call to the rental company and a repairman only yielded the promise of parts to fix it but nothing immediately.  We were told we would just have to live with the problem because another lift was not available.  

The spots were unsightly and we knew the issue had to be addressed immediately so some kitty litter and a piece of Masonite was purchased from the local hardware store.   It just meant that every time we moved the lift, someone had to move the board and check on the litter.   While not in our original contract, and not really our responsibility, the issue illustrates both the pitfalls and the challenges of contracting.  You don’t always know what you are getting involved in, but you do know that your customer and his needs are paramount.  No one wants to see stained asphalt in from of his building.  

The contractor who takes his reputation seriously is always taking responsibility for things he may only be indirectly responsible for.  But when the job is over, the client is happy, not just with the work, but with all the related areas that were affected by the job.  This may mean replacing asphalt, bushes or grass that become damaged in accessing a building.  But it’s the little things in contracting that make for a happy customer.  And the key to long term business success can be as simple as a bag of kitty litter!

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Written by:  Thomas Moorhouse