Subbing out cabinet installs but GCs stiffing on payments - anyone else?

Man, been subbing out for cabinet installs on these kitchen remodels for years, and lately the GCs are dragging their feet on paying the final draw. Last job I did with KraftMaid cabinets, poured 80 hours into precise face frame alignment using my Festool Domino, and the guy owes me $4,800 three months later. We're in Texas so callbacks for adjustments in this heat are a nightmare, eating into my time. I sent a polite invoice reminder, then the demand letter, but nothing. Saw a similar rant in the Contractors Network Facebook group last week about chasing liens on woodwork subs. Anyone got tips on collections without burning bridges in this market?

GCs are the WORST, they treat subs like ATMs and expect us to eat the delays.

sucks man, that texas heat makes chasing payments twice as bad.

just hit em with small claims if it's under 10k, no lawyer needed.

had to do that last year, got my money but the gc badmouthed me to others.

subcontracting is a crapshoot, stick to direct clients if you can.

i always get 50% upfront on cabinet jobs now, changed everything.

same, but GCs hate it and try to lowball the total.

frustrated as hell, lost a whole month chasing one last summer.

i feel you, been there with trim work subs.

require progress payments tied to milestones, like after install and before finish.

GCs in this industry are vampires, sucking dry every sub they can.

don't sub for anyone without a solid contract review.

i use jobber for tracking invoices, sends auto reminders.

wattheheck is right, upfront deposit is non-negotiable.

GCs screwing subs is the norm, fight back with liens every time.

had a gc ghost me on $3k for deck framing, lien fixed it.

always document everything, photos of the install help in disputes.

sucks, i avoid gc work altogether now.

get everything in writing, even change orders.

frustrated too, similar issue with flooring subs.

lien it fast, or you'll never see the cash.

i commiserate, lost 2k last year to a shady gc.

how do you word the pre-lien notice?

use a service like levelset, they handle the paperwork for cheap.

good point, saved me headaches on a cabinet job.

frame it as a partnership, but have backup plans.

don't let them drag it past 30 days, escalate quick.

i always add a late fee clause, 1.5% per month.

frustrated with these gc games, it's killing small ops.

hey op, what's the gc's name? might know em.

how long do you wait before filing?

i wait 45 days max, then lien.

GCs are trash, sub only for big players with bonds.

watched essential craftsman vid on contracts, changed my game.

don't sub without ppsa in place.

yeah, preliminary notice is key in most states.

frustrated af, same boat with joist installs.

i feel ya, payments are the worst part of subbing.

GCs dodging bills is epidemic.

got paid full on a big pantry redo after lien threat.

i commiserate, sub work aint worth the hassle sometimes.

customer thought my cat built their cabinets lol.

never sign without a payment bond clause.

frustrated, had to lawyer up once for 5k.

sharking gc fees is bs, charge more upfront.

lmao at gc excuses, 'cash flow issues' my ass.

i feel bad for ya, subbing sucks.

i feel you on the texas callbacks.

GCs are the devil, avoid if possible.

don't chase, let the lien do the work.

GCs in texas are notorious for this crap.

use quickbooks for invoicing, tracks it all.

frustrated, similar with door installs.

haha, my dog ate the invoice story from a gc.

i commiserate, payments delayed my tool upgrades.

i commiserate, lost sleep over one.

lien every time, it's your right.

how do you find good gc partners?

GCs screwing everyone, time to unionize subs.

i feel that pain, subbing for cabinets is rough.

don't do verbal agreements, ever.

GCs are leeches, charge premium for sub work.

frustrated, had to eat a 2k loss.

i commiserate, texas market is cutthroat.

roller ranger, what's your rate for cabinets?

i network in contractors network fb group.

subs get hosed too often.

saw a post on r/construction about this.

i commiserate, payments suck.

use acculynx for tracking sub payments.

frustrated with gc delays.

i commiserate, been subbed for trim.

GCs everywhere are the problem.

GCs dodging payments is BS.

i commiserate hard.

i commiserate, sub life.

GCs are scum.

lien and move on.

frustrated asf.

i turned down sub work after last stiff.

GCs killing the trade.

frustrated, learning the hard way.

i commiserate.

GCs suck.

i commiserate with op.

hit 100k this year avoiding bad gcs.

frustrated, payments late again.

i commiserate, subbing woes.