Hot take: a handshake deal with a longtime neighbor got me burnt bad

I agreed to roof a garage for a neighbor I've known 8 years, just a verbal ok and a rough price. It took me 6 full weeks to get paid after I finished, with him claiming he forgot twice and then nitpicking a drip edge I installed exactly how he asked. Anyone else have a neighbor you thought you could trust turn into your worst collector problem?

3 comments

3 Comments

skyler_kelly692d agoRising Star

Learned that lesson too. Did some fence repair for a guy two doors down, just a handshake and a smile. Took him three months to pay and he kept complaining about the stain color I used, even though he picked it out himself. Always get it in writing now, even with people you've known forever.

wadejenkins2d ago

Three months ain't that bad honestly.

finleym372d ago

Yeah, the worst ones are always people you've known for years. They figure since you're friends or neighbors, they can drag their feet on paying and you won't make a big deal out of it. I've had that same thing happen with a buddy from high school for some concrete work. He paid eventually, but it was like pulling teeth every time I asked. A simple contract with a due date on it would have saved a lot of awkward conversations.