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Missed service because of mud: who's responsible?

Marcus B.asked 0 viewsDelivery, Placement & ServicingMissed serviceTruck accessWeatherPlacementMonthly rental

We have a standard unit for a crew of 12, and it's on a six-month rental for a residential gut rehab. The unit is placed about 50 feet from the street on what was a gravel pad. Last week's heavy rain turned the access path to mud, and the service truck couldn't get close enough to pump it. The driver left a note saying the unit was inaccessible. I just got the monthly invoice, and it shows the full service charge. I'm used to paying for a missed service when my guys block the unit with materials, but this was a weather issue. Is the rental company allowed to charge for a service they couldn't perform because the site was too muddy? Does the responsibility fall on me to guarantee truck access, even in bad weather?

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Kim S.Raleigh, NC

The rental company is allowed to charge for the missed service because the contract typically makes you responsible for maintaining truck access under all conditions. This is a standard term in the industry. The driver made a service attempt, which incurs labor and fuel costs, and the invoice reflects that effort.

Your responsibility is to guarantee the service truck can reach the unit on every scheduled service day, regardless of weather. For a long-term rental like your six-month project, you need to plan for site conditions. A gravel pad under the unit is good, but the access path also needs to be stable. You could add more gravel to the path or use temporary road plates to prevent mud issues after rain.

This is different from a short-term event where the rental company might handle placement. On a construction site, the customer ensures the unit remains accessible. If the path is blocked again, you will likely be charged for another missed service. Contact the rental company to confirm their policy, but prepare to pay the invoice and improve the access route.

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