Free pond - see any problem?

[Industrial Toys]

Now, the tables turn and the man has to trust you with his depost. So why not just get lawyers involved and forget the whole thing?

It's supposed to be a handshake deal with no money involved.

You would have to have some really special dirt, the man wants, to get him to give a deposit.

 

[dragoneggs]

Now, the tables turn and the man has to trust you with his depost. So why not just get lawyers involved and forget the whole thing?

It's supposed to be a handshake deal with no money involved.

You would have to have some really special dirt, the man wants, to get him to give a deposit.

Doubt it.

Don't need lawyers, just document what are the expectations. The guy is looking to profit and wants to get the dirt as cheap as possible. He has to appreciate 'free' involves more than just scooping and hauling dirt for his business. If you don't have any recourse (a deposit) then the deck is stacked in his favor. A deposit protects you in case he walks away without finishing.

Is he licensed and bonded? I would check on that too.

 

[Industrial Toys]

If he has done such deals with good references, that is a major assurance. I just meant that, things can always go wrong, and you should be prepared to pick up the pieces and cost. Still, you would have got some work done for free.

 

[dragoneggs]

If he has done such deals with good references, that is a major assurance. I just meant that, things can always go wrong, and you should be prepared to pick up the pieces and cost. Still, you would have got some work done for free.

Agreed. Checking out references goes a long way with me. Definitely would reduce the amount of safeguards to be comfortable. I am all for handshake deals but one needs to be smart if it doesn't go to plan... who gets stiffed?

 

[EddieWalker]

It's supposed to be a handshake deal with no money involved.

Why? Who says so?

 

[TomIre]

If he has done such deals with good references, that is a major assurance. I just meant that, things can always go wrong, and you should be prepared to pick up the pieces and cost. Still, you would have got some work done for free.

This summarizes my approach. I think it will work. If it doesn't, I'm thinking the consequences aren't really all that bad. Worst case, I have to clean up a muddy mess - not that big a deal.
By nature, I'd rather look for good in people than worry about the bad.

 

[BoylermanCT]

Consider building the pond with an island in it. If you want ducks etc, the island can be a great haven for them. Much easier to add the island from day 1. I am trying to figure out how to add an island to my pond. Much harder!

 

[aczlan]

Agreed. Checking out references goes a long way with me. Definitely would reduce the amount of safeguards to be comfortable. I am all for handshake deals but one needs to be smart if it doesn't go to plan... who gets stiffed?

Specifically, if he has done a deal like this before, I would want to talk to the last person who he dug a free pond for to see how what their experience was.
I would also check to make sure that it would not qualify as a borrow pit and require a mining permit...

Aaron Z

 

[airbiscuit]

Beautiful!

 

[Molalla1]

Consider building the pond with an island in it. If you want ducks etc, the island can be a great haven for them. Much easier to add the island from day 1. I am trying to figure out how to add an island to my pond. Much harder!

View attachment 597068

I built mine years ago and left a island in the middle of it has a huge oak on it, and has so much wildlife on it . . . they love it (ducks etc.).