I think it comes down to the individual situation, and the wording of the agreement between the contractor and the customer.
If you are doing a negotiated price project, and you have told the customer " dirt is going to cost X, trucking is Y, and handeling it when I get it here is Z" then later you find free fill, then a reduction is in order, though not all of it, as there is still costs in time, paperwork, and hassle in setting up this "free" dirt.
However, if it is a bid job, and you have contracted to complete the work for X, the owner was happy with that number, or you would not be doing the job in the first place, and if you do not want a bad name, do not tell what the dirt costs. Free dirt is figured into many bids, if it is known about in advance. It may be the cost reduction that gets you the job if you know of it, and your competition does not.
I would say that most of us that take the time to post on this forum have good intentions, but we are all in business to make money. If we don't, we will not get to stay in this business, or any other endeavor either.
If you are doing a negotiated price project, and you have told the customer " dirt is going to cost X, trucking is Y, and handeling it when I get it here is Z" then later you find free fill, then a reduction is in order, though not all of it, as there is still costs in time, paperwork, and hassle in setting up this "free" dirt.
However, if it is a bid job, and you have contracted to complete the work for X, the owner was happy with that number, or you would not be doing the job in the first place, and if you do not want a bad name, do not tell what the dirt costs. Free dirt is figured into many bids, if it is known about in advance. It may be the cost reduction that gets you the job if you know of it, and your competition does not.
I would say that most of us that take the time to post on this forum have good intentions, but we are all in business to make money. If we don't, we will not get to stay in this business, or any other endeavor either.