Warning: Charged $850 for yard cleanup in Houston and client tried to stiff me

Just finished a big yard cleanup job in Houston, quoted $850 for mowing, edging, and hauling off all the debris from that storm last week. Client seemed cool during the walk around but now she's ghosting my invoices and claiming it wasn't worth it. PSA guys, always get a 50% deposit on jobs over $500 in this humid hellhole, or you'll be chasing payments like I am.

same here, clients always think yard work is free labor.

feels bad man, houston clients are the worst for this crap.

nah, just charge more upfront, $1k min for any cleanup.

ugh, been there, lost a whole day chasing a $600 edging job.

houston humidity makes everything twice the work, they should pay double.

lol, i just show up with the invoice in hand next time they call.

clients like that ruin your week, hope you lien it.

fml, same story every summer.

get it in writing before you touch the mower.

damn, $850 seems low for houston cleanup anyway.

use quickbooks to track and send reminders automatically.

screw these clients, we all deal with em.

insurance adjusters lowball yard work after storms here.

collect from the homeowners association if it's hoa property.

haha, mine tried to pay with a check that bounced twice.

houston market is flooded with cheap labor, undercutting us all.

yeah, immigrants doing it for half, killing rates.

time to unionize yard crews or something.

frustrated as hell, just ate a $400 loss last month.

same, client said the grass wasnt green enough.

document everything with pics before and after.

how do you even enforce deposits in texas?

small claims court, but it's a hassle.

ranted about this on r/smallbusiness, got good advice there.

guy in contractors network fb group said to use square for deposits.

watched tommy mello video on handling deadbeats, spot on.

insurance? nah, self insure small jobs like that.

these clients make me wanna quit the game.

join a fb group like handyman nation for tips on this.

lien the property if it's over 30 days.

dont let em get away with it, fight back.

asking, whats your usual deposit percentage?

frustrated, lost two jobs this week to hagglers.

square deposits work, but fees eat into it.

houston storms bring out the worst cheapskates.

controversial take: all clients are out to screw you.

collective rage at these entitled homeowners.

yeah, after katrina remnants, everyone thinks services are charity.

use service titan for invoicing, auto chases em.

wth, $850 for cleanup? i charge double in storms.

asking, did you include debris haul in the quote?

rising rates on cleanups, clients can deal.

warning: never start without signed contract.

asking, how long you been in houston?

asking, worth filing a mechanics lien for $850?

get bonded, clients trust that more.

same boat, commiserate with ya.

warning, one bad client can tank your year.

shut em down, no pay no future service.

warning, record all calls for proof.

big corps squeezing small guys like us.

appreciate the support, gonna try the lien route.

frustrated, my back hurts from unpaid hauling.

haha, next time charge for the drama.

all these cheapos deserve each other.

clients pitting us against each other on price.

damn right, time to band together.

feel ya, lost sleep over a similar job.

been there, it gets easier with experience.

yeah, now i walk if no deposit.

solid advice from the group.

warning, dont let it slide or theyll do it again.