What to Ask When Hiring a Forest Contractor
The age-old adage “being an informed consumer is your best protection” applies whether you are purchasing a pre-owned car, buying a house, or owning a woodlot and seeking the services of a forest contractor (e.g., forest consultant, logger, tree marker, etc.). By being informed and prepared, you can ensure that you receive fair value for services rendered and see the successful completion of your project.
Why hire a forest contractor in the first place? As a woodlot owner, you need to ask yourself and decide whether you have the necessary skills, equipment and time to undertake the work properly. If not, perhaps it is in your best interests (and those of your woodlot) to seek the advice and services of a qualified forest contractor.
Whatever your reasons, before hiring or entering into any agreement with a forest contractor, there are several questions that you should get answered. Remember, do you homework to avoid misunderstandings or serious problems that may arise partway through the job.
Here are ten key points that you should address before hiring a forest contractor:
1. Have a clear idea of what you want them to do.
If you want to harvest timber, are you seeking the services of a forest consultant to prepare a tree-marking prescription, do the tree marking, prepare a volume summary, find a logger and monitor the harvest activities? Or, are you just looking for someone to undertake one or two components of the sale? Being prepared — knowing which services that you want to discuss — is an important first step. This way, both you and the forest contractor that you interview and/or hire will know what is expected.
2. Find someone you can work with.
Good communications and a good rapport between you and the forest contractor are vital. It is highly recommended that you consider hiring someone who will clearly explain the various steps in the work to be undertaken — someone who will translate the jargon and buzzwords of the job into terms that you can understand. If not, there may be communication problems during the project that cause difficulties.
3. Ask for and check references.
Generally, the best reference a forest contractor can receive is by word of mouth from your neighbour or a friend. Check references to ensure that the forest contractor’s previous customers were satisfied with the work completed. A good rule of thumb is to request a minimum of three references.
4. Go see their work.
Prior to hiring a forest contractor, ask to see some of their work. For example, if you are hiring a logger, visit a woodlot that they are currently working in. If you are hiring a forest consultant, ask to see a copy of a management plan prepared for another client. As well as examining the quality of their work, you should ask whether they use their own employees or subcontract work. Remember, clients have different expectations, and what suits one landowner may not suit you.
5. Do they have insurance?
Ask for insurance! You need to protect yourself should an injury or property damage occur while the work is being carried out. Ensure that the forest contractor has the appropriate liability insurance and Workplace Insurance Safety Board coverage for the services they are providing. Also, check to see if they include a waiver in their contract to indemnify and save harmless the property owner from their actions while performing the work.
6. Relevant experience.
Check to see if the forest contractor has the relevant experience for the services you are seeking. For example, if you are hiring a forest consultant, do they have post-secondary education in forestry? How many years of experience in the profession do they have? How many similar types of jobs have they undertaken that match the type, complexity and size of the work that you want done?
7. Credentials and professional affiliations.
The key is to find a balance between a forest contractor’s credentials and relevant experience that suits your specific situation. Ask the service provider for their credentials and professional affiliations. For example, when hiring a forest consultant, ask if they are a member of a professional association such as the Ontario Professional Foresters Association. Are they a certified tree marker under the Ontario Tree Marker Program (administered by the Ministry of Natural Resources)? Or, if you are seeking the services of a logger, have the contractor’s workers all received certification training for cut-and-skid logging and for operating mechanized harvesting equipment?
8. Make sure they are truly independent.
You want someone who will represent your interests and provide you with unbiased advice. Ask the forest contractor about their relationship to the various vendors (e.g., forest consultant, logger, log buyer, sawmill, etc.) they recommend. If there is a connection, a responsible forest contractor will come forward and tell you at the start. Then you can make a decision based on complete information.
9. Have a written agreement!
Once you agree on the work to be undertaken and financial arrangements, make sure that a contract or letter of agreement is prepared and signed by both parties. The agreement should outline the details of the work to be undertaken, a start and completion date, payment schedule and cost, insurance requirements, dispute measures and penalties for non-performance. Keep in mind that if you are using a generic agreement, it should only be considered as a guide. A generic agreement should be customized to meet your specific needs. Consider using a lawyer to review the contract before signing it.
10. Managing the work.
It is important to stay involved in the project. Set up a schedule with your forest contractor to meet and discuss the progress of the work and to assure that everything is going as planned (e.g., meet at lunchtime in the woodlot to discuss the harvest operation). Remember, stay involved, but you shouldn’t control the minute details of how the forest contractor does the work. Allow them to use their expertise. After all, that is one of the reasons why you hired them.
One Last Word…
Most landowners will agree that hiring a qualified forest contractor to help them with their forest management projects is well worthwhile. Utilizing professional expertise simply makes life easier and goes a long way to ensuring a successful project. But remember the first step. Become an informed consumer and protect your most valued natural asset — your woodlot!
This article was featured in a past edition of the S&W Report, the newsletter of the Ontario Woodlot Association.
© Ontario Woodlot Association, 2011
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