Thank you for choosing ShadowCat Services for your land-management needs. We hope that the information provided will be useful and minimize any on site issues for your project. Now that you have booked with ShadowCat Services, we want you to know what to expect from us as a company and our workflow from before, during, and after the work is completed.
COMMUNICATION
You will receive approximately two text messages from us. The first will be your booking confirmation which will include basic information such as date of service and property details. Correct any information as needed and if there is information missing, please respond in a timely manner to ensure we have the correct details. If needed, you will be sent a second communication that is a service-day reminder. Normally sent a day or two prior to the service date, as a reminder that your appointment is coming up soon. This reminder will also include our estimated time to arrive at your property, and will confirm with you that the property is currently dry or that any debris (if applicable) has been removed from area(s) to be cleared.
Cancelations/Rescheduling Fee $150:
- A Cancelation/Rescheduling Fee is incurred when we are notified of the need to reschedule while already en route or have arrived at the service location.
- *A cancelation fee is incurred when the customer cancels without rescheduling (within three days of the service date). Your booking confirmation removes that date from being booked by other customers, your timely communication about schedule issues is greatly appreciated.
*This does not apply to multi-day bookings when the progress of the project is essentially unknown and we are proceeding on a day-by-day basis.
HOW TO PREP YOUR PROPERTY
Accessing Water on Property: There are three easy ways to assess your property for wetness: First, is visual. If you can see standing water or if you have an adjacent water ditch that is full then the property is too wet (at this time) for our forestry mulching services. Second is the “kick test”, with the toe or heel of your foot kick the top layer of soil about two inches down. If water fills in the hole, the property is too wet (at this time) for our forestry mulching services. The third is the “pole test”. Take a metal pole no shorter than two feet, and stick it as far into the ground as you can. If it comes up with mud or water, then it may be too wet for our forestry mulching services.
The results of the above wetness tests are only indicative of the area in which the test is done. Larger properties may require larger testing samples. Low-lying areas (especially near water bodies) should always be checked a day or two prior to the clearing-service day.
Unloading Access: ShadowCat will be hauling our machinery on a Kenworth T-800 Rollback. Let us know immediately if you live on a non-paved road. If you live on a hard-packed dirt road, we will want to know prior to arriving to ensure we are aware of the conditions. If you live on a sandy or soft dirt road, we will need your help in finding an alternative way to get to your property. As this may take time, it is important to let us know immediately.
Service Access: If the service area is gated, we will need a minimum of 8-feet of clearance (if we are able to come in straight). If any structures or trees force us to come in at an angle, we require a minimum of 12-foot clearance. Be aware that any sodded areas can be damaged when we are working. Make sure to let us know if we will be working or accessing the service area via a sodded section or path. We may have options on how to minimize damaging sod.
Debris: Any non-vegetation debris that may damage or roll up in our mulching drum must be removed from the property prior to your clearing day. This includes concrete, cinder block(s), tarps, tires, tents, fencing, barbed wire, and etc. There are some instances when a small amount of debris cannot be removed. In this case, mark the area with caution tape, orange flags, or paint the surrounding vegetation so that it is visible from the machine and we will bypass the area.
Time spent cutting material out from our drum comes off the cutting time on Day-Rate jobs (up to 6.5 hours). Project Rate jobs will incur a $500 fee for ingesting large debris that cannot be cleared in the field and requires rescheduling the clearing day. Up to $250 for ingested debris that can be cleared in the field and clearing resumed.
Vegetation Piles: Many customers have started the clearing process either on their own or with another service. While it may seem like vegetation piles would be easy to mulch, they are not. Ideally, the mulcher works best when the vegetation is rooted. Advise us if you have vegetation piles that you want mulched. Piles will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Stumps: While we are not a stump-removal service, we can mulch stumps no larger than 4″ in diameter. We can mulch larger stumps if they are completely rotted. Stumps, outside of these parameters, will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Other materials: Make sure to notify us immediately if sprinklers, irrigations lines, cable lines, and/or low hanging lines of any type are within the access or service area. Often we can work around these issues, but knowing ahead of time is key. We may also need to be sent pictures of these items.
Permits: ShadowCat always recommends to check with your governing municipality regarding codes for your property. As a property owner or potential property owner, your understanding of your property, easements, and limitations (such as wetlands) will help you successfully navigate maintaining or developing your property. This also includes protected vegetation and wildlife. Any vegetation that cannot or should not be removed, is to be marked with orange flags or paint at a minimum height of 4 feet so that it is obvious when in the machine to bypass the area. Wildlife, such as gopher turtles and their habitat are also to be clearly marked. If you have a gopher turtle hole, but have not seen a turtle, it is important to know that the hole is also protected.
Boundaries: It is always ideal for the property boundaries to be marked and on long lines (more than 100 feet). However, if isn’t always necessary. ShadowCat can use a GPS locator to approximate the property boundaries when necessary. When available, the property owner/representative is welcome to walk the property to confirm the serviced area before paying.
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN WE ARRIVE
Current Conditions/Scope of Work: David will walk the property/service area with the property owner/representative. This is an important time to confirm the scope of work and current condition of the property. It is also an opportunity for the property owner to point out any access areas, protected vegetation and wildlife – everything that applies from the How to Prep Your Property section. David will also provide a timeline for the work as well as coordinate meeting at the end of the job. He will then unload the machinery to begin work.
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN WE ARE WORKING
We enjoy having our property owners on site and encourage collaborating to ensure the outcome you desired. If you, your representative, or family (and pets) decide to stay during the clearing, make sure to read the following items carefully.
Safety: Safety is the primary concern when anyone stays on site the day of service. Wear bright clothing, so that you are visible to David. The safest way to reach David while he is working is to call him at 407-312-7779. When he is maneuvering the machine, he has limited view of his surroundings. You should never approach the machine when it is running.
Forestry Mulching: Never get within 300 feet of the front of the machine or 100 feet on all other sides when the forestry mulcher is running as the machine can shoot debris that can ricochet and be propelled in an unexpected direction. If you have scheduled a full-day of service with us, that will include a full tank of gas in the CAT machine. On average, we get up to six-and-a-half hours of cutting time on a full tank. Cutting time does not include machine unloading, walking the property, speaking with the on-site contact, or loading the machine.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE END OF THE JOB
Recap Work: If the property owner or representative is available, David will recap what was done and any areas that may have been worked around because of the property conditions. If you have a multi-facetted job, David will go over his recommendations for next steps for your project(s). He will answer any questions you may have about the work, future work, or next steps on the timeline for your bigger project. If the property owner/representative isn’t available for the recap, David will take pictures of the completed day work and send them via text to the property owner/representative.
Payment: Payment is due at the end of the job when the property owner/representative is present. See Payment Options for details. A property owner/representative must be there to meet David prior to the work being started (unless other arrangements had been made). The only time a pre-payment is required, is when there is no one to meet us onsite. Please notify us as soon as possible if this is the case with your service date. See Out of Area Payment section for details.
Out of Area Payment: When the property owner/representative is not available to be onsite on the service day, a pre-payment is required five-business days in advance. See Payment Options for details.
Payment Options:
- Cash/Check have no fees and are always preferred.
- Online Zelle payments at 407-312-7779 are also accepted with no fees. Any customer planning to pay by Zelle should check the online payment limitations through both Zelle and your bank to ensure the full payment can be made on the service date.
- Debit/Credit cards are accepted through Square with a 3.5% fee (charged by Square-not us). We only charge this fee to the customers using this service.
- Bank Transfers are accepted with a $35 wire fee (from our bank).
- Load/Leave: After the recap, answering any questions, and payment is made (if not already made), David will load the machinery and leave the property site.
SERVICE-DAY CHECKLIST
Complete our Service-Day Checklist below. This short questionnaire (less than ten questions) is a shorter version of the details listed in the guidelines above. The purpose of the above Guidelines are to ensure that you understand what to expect before, during, and after our work and that we have all the information to ensure your service day goes off without a hitch. The purpose of the Checklist below is to ensure that we understand logistically what to expect when David arrives at the property. If you have any concerns about the process or your property, please use the comment box under “More Information”, and we will get back to you as soon as possible. A field is available for any pictures you need to add.