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Got burned by a $600 invoice that sat unpaid for 3 months

Last spring I did a roof repair for a guy in Austin who promised to pay within 2 weeks, but after 90 days and 7 ignored texts I finally had to threaten a lien on his house. Turns out he had a history of slow-paying contractors and I just didn't check his references first. How do you guys vet new clients before you start work to avoid this kind of headache?

3 comments

3 Comments

noahwood11d ago

Funny how a $600 lesson teaches you what a $50 credit check could've caught upfront... CreditSafe sounds like a solid deal compared to staring at your phone for 90 days like it's a magic 8 ball that'll suddenly say "paid." That 45% deposit rule is basically the contractor version of "trust but verify" except the trust part is optional. Guess his history of slow-pay was like a free trial for how much patience you'd actually have.

brooke44811d ago

that 45% deposit rule is basically the contractor version of 'trust but verify'" nailed it. I had a painter in Phoenix slow roll me for 8 weeks till I threatened to put a lien on his house. And yeah the small credit check fee is nothing compared to what you lose chasing a deadbeat. The 45% thing seems steep to some people but honestly if they can't put down half they're probably hoping you'll do the job and then ghost them.

xenam8411d ago

45% deposit upfront is standard for any job over $500 in my area and I honestly can't believe you didn't collect anything before starting. I've been doing HVAC work in Dallas for 8 years and I always run a quick credit check through a service like CreditSafe before taking on a new residential client. The $15 fee has saved me from at least 3 nightmare clients who had mechanics liens or judgments against them from other contractors. If a customer balks at putting down half before I order materials, that's a massive red flag they're not serious about paying.