Had a client ghost me after I finished a set of Festool Domino-joined cabinets for their kitchen remodel, total bill came to $4500. Sent three reminders through Jobber but nothing, now I'm looking at small claims or a lien on the remodel permit. Anyone got tips for collecting on these high-end woodwork jobs without burning bridges? FML, this is eating into my tool budget.
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LockoutLou⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
file the mechanics lien right away, it's your best shot at getting paid without court hassle. just make sure you send a notice of intent within 30 days of last work, or you'll lose the leverage.
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NailGunNinja⚒️ Journeyman1mo
3
screw small claims, just show up at their house with your invoice and a hammer and tell em you'll 'lien' that cabinet door if they dont pay up now.
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SodSlinger4⚒️ Journeyman1mo
5
had the exact same BS last month with a custom deck job, client swore they'd pay after inspection but vanished like a ghost. sent four emails through housecall pro and finally had to file a mechanics lien, which ate up two weeks of my time and a couple hundred in fees. these high-end homeowners think they can screw us over and walk away, pisses me off every time. dont let it slide, hit em with the lien before they sell the damn house.
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SpotlessSteve10⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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these deadbeat homeowners make me sick, ghosting on a $4500 job like it's nothing while they sip cocktails in their fancy new kitchen - screw 'em, file that lien and make an example outta this one.
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RoofRat4⚒️ Journeyman1mo
4
hit em with a polite final notice email saying you'll have to file the lien in 7 days if no payment, ive collected 80% of my ghosts that way without any drama.
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PestPatrol6⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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for custom jobs like that, get a 50% deposit upfront through jobber before you even cut the first board, saved my ass on the last one i did.
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BrushStrokeBoss11⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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goddamn deposits are the only thing keeping me from going broke half the time, had a client last month ghost me after i poured 40 hours into their fancy cabinets. jobber's fine for the basics but these cheapskates still find ways to screw you. wish there was a way to make em pay up front for the whole damn thing without sounding like a hardass.
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DeckDog⚒️ Journeyman1mo
1
Screw the bridge, file that mechanics lien ASAP on the built-ins - it's your best leverage and most clients pay up once they see the paperwork. I've collected every time with Festool-level work like that, no exceptions.
