Should I charge the loss adjuster a fee?

[Jackof1trade]

Hi guys, just joined so hello!
My business is restoring antique furniture. A loss adjuster emailed me lots of photos of some water damaged furniture, asking about the feasibility of repair and cost to do the work. I explained I would need to see the furniture so was sent the claimants details and told to make arrangements with him.
I’ve seen the furniture today and it’s a wreck, the cost of restoration will almost certainly be more than the value of the antiques so it looks like I won’t get any work out of it.

In total the assessment took 3 hours travelling and 2 hours whilst there. My question is should I bill the loss adjuster for my time, or is it a case of you win some you lose some? Anyone got experience with with providing quotes for loss adjusters that can help me please?

 

[Frank the Insurance guy]

Hi,

If this was not a loss adjuster and a regular customer, would you have done the same thing? Or would you have told the customer that you would charge them for your time?

I'm afraid its a lesson to learn - if at no time you informed the loss adjuster that you would charge for your time I can't see how you can make a charge now.

 

[Ozzy]

I don't have any experience as a loss adjuster or your industry specifically, but I do have a thought on the situation.
Right now, I feel you are going to have to take a hit on this one as you never set the terms of engagement before undertaking the assessment.

Going forward, I do not feel it unreasonable to apply a fee in these situations which you must agree in advance. Then it is up to you if you choose to deduct the fee from the cost of the job if you get the work at the end of it. So in practice, using your above example, you say yes I'll assess the furniture and make the arrangements for you and our fee for doing this will be £x, discounted from the final invoice if we undertake the restoration work.

 

[The Byre]

Wot Ozzy said.

In future, tell people to put the stuff in a van and schlepp their sorry butts to your place! Failing that, it's so-much-a-mile.

 

[Newchodge]

I disagree with the others. Issue an invoice, see what happens.

 

[Darren_Ssc]

I disagree with the others. Issue an invoice, see what happens.

Indeed, you can issue an invoice. Let him worry whether he has to pay it or not.

 

[Jackof1trade]

I don't have any experience as a loss adjuster or your industry specifically, but I do have a thought on the situation.
Right now, I feel you are going to have to take a hit on this one as you never set the terms of engagement before undertaking the assessment.

Going forward, I do not feel it unreasonable to apply a fee in these situations which you must agree in advance. Then it is up to you if you choose to deduct the fee from the cost of the job if you get the work at the end of it. So in practice, using your above example, you say yes I'll assess the furniture and make the arrangements for you and our fee for doing this will be £x, discounted from the final invoice if we undertake the restoration work.

This feels right to me. I will take the hit this time, put it down to experience and learn from it.
Thank you everyone for taking the time to reply!

 

[John Hemming]

I disagree with the others. Issue an invoice, see what happens.

Cyndy as usual gives really good advice.

In the end, however, they will probably pass on the invoice to the insurance company so it is quite likely to fly.

However, best to make sure fees are agreed in advance for this sort of thing in the future.

 

[Mitch3473]

2 ways to deal with this..as mentioned above, send him an invoice and see if he pays whilst running the risk of putting the guys nose out of place so to speak. Or, taking the hit as you may well end up doing anyway but keeping relations open and finding out if there is chance of any other paying work coming from this guy and recouping your initial ' loss ' and future profit.
Is it 5 hours out of your day or is it 5 hours spent getting a client.

 

[Darren_Ssc]

2 ways to deal with this..as mentioned above, send him an invoice and see if he pays whilst running the risk of putting the guys nose out of place so to speak. Or, taking the hit as you may well end up doing anyway but keeping relations open and finding out if there is chance of any other paying work coming from this guy and recouping your initial ' loss ' and future profit.
Is it 5 hours out of your day or is it 5 hours spent getting a client.

Hey Jack, I've just received your invoice and I'm a bit taken aback?
Yes, Mr loss adjuster, I appreciate the confusion and I'm happy to waive the fee in this instance.
Thanks very much Jack, much appreciated.

Or, he may just pay it.

 

[obscure]

Sorry but sending an invoice is bad advise. The OP has no contract and no right to send an invoice or to enforce payment of said invoice.

 

[John Hemming]

Sorry but sending an invoice is bad advise. The OP has no contract and no right to send an invoice or to enforce payment of said invoice.

The contract is unclear.

 

[paulears]

The purpose of the visit was in essence made on the chance of getting the work, from which you'd have made a profit. In this case, you didn't. The loss adjuster was surely just a prospective client who might have become a decent paying client. He did, however, ask you to go to the persons address and carry out some work. This would become one of my Judge Judy scenarios. Imagine being in front of her. Would you get the "baloney' or would she support your case, based on what you and the other party have in terms of factual evidence?

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

Should have made it clear that if it was a wasted journey you would have to charge.

It's an appropriate charge so why not call them and put it to them that you would like to issue an invoice and see what they say. It's not their money so you may be pleasantly surprised.

 

[Jackof1trade]

Thanks all- I’m not going to charge. Hopefully they may contact me in the future for something similar. If they do I will advise them of my charge depending on time and distance, which I will waive if I get some work.

It’s my first dealing with loss adjusters so I didn’t know what the usual scenario was- whether charging to assess a job was the usual thing to do or not.

Thanks all for posting

 

[Chris Ashdown]

Just talk to the Bloody man and ask if its OK to charge. What have you got tyo lose, and a fair bit to possibly gain

You then know the answer and have built up a relationship that may bring more work, nothing ventured nothing gained