Mitch i am willing to send you a little something if you really need it to wards heat for your family. Times are tough for most and in these times people need to be more thoughtful of the next person(s).

 

I feel for you, and heres what I am presently going through.

I signed a multi-year contract with a neighbor who has been after me for years to do some consulting work for his business. This job took me to Canada, Georgia, Alabama and many other states in between. As I watched him pour over $60,000 into remodeling his house,and purchase several new vehicles for his wife and children, my paychecks kept coming later and later each pay period. Then you guessed it, they stopped coming at all....
Owes me right at $20,000 and I have had to get an attorney to try to collect.
ALL THE WHILE THIS BASTARD LIVES TWO HOUSES AWAY FROM ME!!!
He avoids me like the plague. Smart man in some ways...

 

Not any help. But when you go to small claims court, and if the judge orders them to pay you. You still don't get your money that day. The Judge allows a time period, and then you have to go back to court to collect. Been there and bought the book.

 

I'm in the same business, I know contract as a sub to those who have the larger projects. In the residential market most are honest, and pay up when the job is done.

The others will not pay out the balance as they have learned and know how to play the short pay the contractor game. There are several business here who do the same and word is slowly getting out. Seem to hear more and more about it.


I feel for you as it has also happened to me in the past. He was a sub trade plumber who I used on my renovations and always paid him completely and on time. I renovated part of his house and he short paid me the last 10% hold back.


As you had a contract can you send it to collection?

Property leins, do they inhibit the sale of the house, and if so, if there is a sale is 10 years down the road does the lein collect intrest?

good luck.

 

Thanks dave, I feel lucky in the fact that this is only the first time this has happened to me. Fortunately most folks are not like this, and as some one else stated (sorry for forgetting who) almost all of my customers are standing at the door with a grin on their face and check in hand, ready to talk to me about their next project.

 

WOW!!! buckdropper, I don't what to say. You are literally bringing a tear to my eyes. I thank you very much for your generous offer, but I will have to decline, it's just me and the wife in the house now, her kids have moved out, and we'll be okay, we're staying warm in the bedroom together with one of those little electric oil radiator heaters and man does the meter spin with that thing on . The weather people say there is a warm front headed our way by the beginning of next week, so we'll have a little relief in the form of some more comfortable temperatures. I've always enjoyed this site, and it's because of people like you and everyone else on here being the reason why. I don't think I can fully express my heart felt appreciation for your offer! Thank you!

 

Mitch that sucks, as stated earlier.

What you do is start now to build your case, in case you do go to court.

Send them a copy or your original contracr with scope of work high-lighted and an itemized list of the extra work you have done. On the extras assign a dollar value that you would normally charge and then list it as a no-charge item. At the end of the letter show in black and white what the value or dollar amount they recieved for free. Then present the bill for balance due. Send it snail mail registered with a return reciept, that way they can't say they never got it. Give them a time frame to pay. If the time frame is exceeded then off to court you go.

This method shows the court that you are being more than reasonable and they will be more likely to side in your favor. The court usually leans toward the homeowner's side so you want to look squeaky clean.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

 

Hey i know times are tough and i can only offer, I do have a big ugly face according to some fellow members here (queers) , maybe i can scare them folks into paying you what is owed!!!!. I have many guns, a large club or a big dog and a old wife (). any of which may get you paid!!.. Bluejay may still have some of them old green stamps laying or something or maybe Habs would part with some of his donut money...... . Anyways i wish you luck and the offer stands... peace out..

 

Wow that does suck! I try never to get into business dealings with friends or neighbors and this is the reason why. Good luck with that, I hope it gets worked out for you in the end. On a side note, I've always said to myself, when I think I have it bad there's always some one out there who has it worse.

 

too funny!! Thanks again buck!

 

I do know one thing that is for almost sure, and that is this will come back to bite these idiots in the ars (hopefully)

 

And just to let everyone know, I am working on quite a few estimates as there is always work out there, so it's not all gloom and doom. I just felt like ranting a bit and as little as I stop by this section of the site, I knew this was the place to do it.

 

I am not sure what state you live in but you should contact your states Bar Association. They usually have lawyer referral services for a small fee and can direct you to a lawyer. You may also be able to contact a law school and get help from their legal clinics. A lawyer in your state can advise you as to the law which will ensure you are paid. In Oklahoma you have to notify a homeowner you may place a lien on their home, this is usually done in the service contract. You may be able to recover attorney fees if you have to go to court. I would strongly suggest you talk with an attorney. It may costs you a little up front but will save you stress and frustration in the long run, plus will get you paid for all your work.

 

I thank you for the advise jgger. I have been talking to a lawyer who specializes in collecting for contractors only, and according to my VERY reliable source he is very good at it. Well I got a call back from him earlier today and he said for the money that is owed there is nothing he could do for me which is what I figured anyhow. My source is retired now and hasn't used the guy in awhile.

 

take him to a collection agency yet?