Home/Operations/🔨 Handyman/Getting stiffed on a deck repair job, how do you handle collections as a handyman boss?
Getting stiffed on a deck repair job, how do you handle collections as a handyman boss?
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KeyMaster4
·1y·546 replies·468 participants
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KeyMaster4⚒️ JourneymanOP1y
51
Alright, rant time, this crap happened again last week. Had one of my guys out fixing a wobbly deck railing with some new Trex boards and Simpson Strong-Tie brackets, quality work like always. Customer starts yapping about how the last handyman charged them double for less, trying to haggle my rate down on the spot. I get it, empathize with the BS they dealt with before, but I stick to my pricing and let the solid build speak for itself. It's frustrating hearing that rip-off story mid-job, but I don't let it mess with how we do things. Down the line, they always notice the difference and come back. Anyone else dealing with this in managing your crew? Saw a similar vent in Handyman Nation group the other day.
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TarpTitan2⚒️ Journeyman8mo
20
Screw these cheapskates who think handyman work is free labor, we all get burned too often chasing payments after busting our asses on decks and fences. Time to union up or something, this industry's a joke.
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FrameItRight⚒️ Journeyman4mo
19
Man, last month I had a guy ghost me after a full garage organization job with Rubbermaid shelves and pegboards. Sent three invoices, called nonstop, finally had to eat the loss. Pisses me off every time.
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FrameFailer⚒️ Journeyman1mo
10
Nah, go aggressive on those. I file small claims right away if they dodge past 30 days, had to do it twice this year on fence installs and won both times. Don't let em walk, make an example.
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FramingFanatic⚒️ Journeyman1mo
11
man, getting stiffed on decks sucks the life outta ya, been chasing deadbeats for months on a wraparound job before i finally sued and got paid.
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PanelPusher4🔧 Apprentice1mo
27
been there with a porch rebuild last summer, chased that guy for 90 days before i threw in the towel. deadbeats like that make you wanna quit the whole handyman game sometimes. sucks the fun right outta the job.
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MulchMan2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
14
fuckin homeowners think they can ghost us after we bust our asses on their decks, it's BS and we all deserve better than chasing deadbeats for months.
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RidgeRunner2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
22
how long did you wait before sending the first invoice? i've had to chase one for 90 days now and it's killin me.
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SpringSlinger⚒️ Journeyman1mo
11
90 days is brutal, i waited 60 on my last deadbeat and still had to file a mechanics lien just to get half the $2k they owed me.
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V8099🌱 Newcomer1mo
3
man, got stiffed on a $800 fence job last month and the lien only got me $400 back, sucks so bad.
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RootRipper⚒️ Journeyman1mo
22
man, been there with the half-assed payments after liens, it's total BS. had a similar crapshoot on a $1k porch fix last year, got squat from the courts after fees. homeowners pulling that crap just pisses me off every time. small claims might squeeze the rest out, but dont hold your breath.
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FreonFiend⚒️ Journeyman1mo
5
same here, got stiffed on a $800 fence patch last month and small claims just laughed me out, these cheap bastards ruin it for all of us.
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KeyMaster⭐ Expert1mo
6
man, same shit here, got hosed on a $1200 deck job last summer and the courts wouldnt touch it. these cheapskates are killing the game for all us handymen.
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ShingleShuffler2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
6
next time im just gonna build em a deck outta IOUs and see how they like gettin stiffed back 😂
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VentMaster4⚒️ Journeyman1mo
12
had a customer pull that crap on me last month after a full kitchen remodel, had to eat $2k and never got paid, these deadbeats make me wanna quit the game.
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WrenchWanderer⚒️ Journeyman1mo
16
dont take the job without a deposit up front, had a guy skip out on $800 last summer and it cost me more in time than the cash. small claims works but its a hassle if theyre deadbeats.
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LockPickLarry8⚒️ Journeyman1mo
21
fuck deposits, i always hit 'em with a mechanics lien right off the bat if they ghost me on payment. small claims is for suckers who dont wanna fight dirty.
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JoistJockey4⚒️ Journeyman1mo
11
these cheapskate homeowners always think they can stiff us and walk away scott free, pisses me off every damn time. i tried collections once and they just harassed the guy til he paid half, total waste of my time and money. if you go small claims, make sure you got every receipt or the judge wont give a crap.
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SpotlessSteve6⚒️ Journeyman1mo
22
had a similar crapshow with a $1200 porch fix last year, homeowner ghosted me after partial pay and the small claims judge only sided with half, these deadbeats make me wanna quit this handyman grind.
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SparkPlugStan2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
8
screw small claims, i always threaten to slap a mechanics lien on their property first thing and half the deadbeats pay up before i even file, works every damn time.
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TenYearVet9⭐ Expert1mo
13
liens can bite you back if you dont file em perfect, had a job where the paperwork was off and i lost the whole 2k. get a lawyer to check your notice first or youre the one screwed.
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MoveMaster3⚒️ Journeyman1mo
7
damn i lost 1.5k on a similar deck job last month when the homeowner ghosted me after the notice got messed up, these cheapskates make it impossible to trust anyone.
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BoxTosser⚒️ Journeyman1mo
3
been there, got ghosted on a $900 fence fix last summer and it pissed me off for weeks. these homeowners are the worst, always dodging the bill like its a game.
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HandyDandyDude⚒️ Journeyman1mo
11
ghosted on a fence job? try sendin em a bill for the therapy i needed after that crap. seriously though, small claims court usually gets em movin faster than a rotted deck board.
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DustBunnyHunter11⚒️ Journeyman1mo
14
small claims is for suckers, just show up at their door with your truck blocking the drive and a fake lien notice until they cough up the cash. homeowners think they can ghost us but we aint afraid to get a little dirty ourselves.
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BugHunterX⚒️ Journeyman29d
14
tried the fake lien bit once, ended up with a pissed off lawyer lady who had me on speed dial for her next 'emergency' deck tweak. now i just send the bill to collections and let them play bad cop while i stick to hammerin nails. saves my ass from small claims court and the homeowner from thinkin im the big bad wolf. had one guy pay up just to avoid the drama, laughin all the way to the bank.
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TrimTerror⚒️ Journeyman29d
13
tried that once, ended up with a pissed off homeowner chasing me down the street with a garden hose yelling 'lien on this!' 😂
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PaintSplatterPat🔧 Apprentice26d
23
that garden hose move is comedy gold, bet he was real proud of that one. next time just send the invoice from your truck and dip before the waterworks start.
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V1547🌱 Newcomer27d
7
same shit, im still waiting on 1800 for a deck fix last month
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NotAnHVACTech🌱 Newcomer26d
18
same shit, im still chasing 2200 on a fence fix from last month myself
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V2776🔧 Apprentice25d
15
send em a text with a 15% late fee and tell em its due in 7 days or small claims. worked for me on a 1800 deck job last year and the guy paid up quick before court. keep a paper trail of every call and message too. then file the lien if they still ghost you after that. pick up a mechanics lien form at the courthouse for like 20 bucks. dont let it drag out or it gets harder to collect later. what state you in so i can tell you the time limits on that?
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LeafBlowerPro⚒️ Journeyman25d
23
man that 1800 deck job paying quick after the lien talk is gold, half my customers think small claims is just a threat until i actually file the forms. had one guy ghost me on a fence fix last summer so i showed up with the paperwork and he paid in cash same day to dodge court. never drag it out or theyll think youre bluffing and itll drag for months.
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RoofRider⚒️ Journeyman21d
4
same shit here, had a guy sit on 2 grand till i dropped the small claims papers at his door.
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LiftLord⚒️ Journeyman20d
3
that dude was probably banking on us handymen folding before court papers hit his door.
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MoveItMuscle3⚒️ Journeyman18d
6
small claims court hits em harder than youd think, went that route last year and collected the full $1800.
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SudsAndScrub2⚒️ Journeyman18d
8
finally stuck that guy for the full $2800 on a small claims win last month, felt good as hell.
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RollerRogue7⚒️ Journeyman17d
2
that small claims win probably felt better than the actual deck job lol
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PrimerPal3⚒️ Journeyman22d
10
same shit here, that 1800 job had me waiting months too before they finally paid. definitely keep that paper trail or it gets messy quick.
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TenYearVet2⚒️ Journeyman22d
12
check your states lien laws first before small claims or the clock runs out fast.
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TileTamer2⚒️ Journeyman23d
14
same shit here, still chasing 1800 on a deck from last spring
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VentVet2⚒️ Journeyman26d
20
send them a certified letter for the 1800 and file a lien same day if they ghost you.
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V3894🌱 Newcomer26d
20
gotta love when the guy ghosts after a deck job and your stuck holding 1800 bucks. sending that certified letter the same day is solid, beats wasting time chasing em with texts. what kinda deck was it anyway, pressure treated or composite?
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OpenerOracle⚒️ Journeyman26d
10
small claims court got me my money back on a similar 2k deck job, skip the certified letter and just file it.
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NailGunNed⚒️ Journeyman25d
16
skip the small claims hassle and put a mechanics lien on the property instead, that usually gets their attention faster than court.
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BoxHauler2🔧 Apprentice24d
10
had a customer stiff me on a deck repair out here in texas and the lien finally got em to pay up quick.
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SweepStakeSue⚒️ Journeyman22d
6
dont send a final notice yourself, get a pro like metcredit to do it so you dont ruin your reputation with other customers.
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WireWizard12⚒️ Journeyman22d
8
nah man sending it yourself keeps customers seeing you as the guy that follows thru instead of some faceless collections outfit.
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MoverMayhemMike⚒️ Journeyman21d
5
same shit man, homeowners think they can just ghost us and get away with it. small claims court is the move for deck jobs like this, takes a couple weeks and they hate showing up. angi and all those lead services just make it worse by attracting the cheapskates. how much are they stiffing you for anyway?
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JointJockey2⚒️ Journeyman21d
5
small claims judge laughed when the homeowner tried blaming the deck sag on a cat.
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MiterMaster2⚒️ Journeyman20d
2
cat gets blamed for deck sag and the judge just laughs, classic. small claims is basically free entertainment for them at this point. i got stiffed on a framing job last spring and ended up eating the $1800 because filing felt like more hassle. learned my lesson and started taking half up front on anything over a day now.
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BoxHauler4⚒️ Journeyman18d
2
same shit happened to me last summer over a front porch repair. homeowners think small claims is some kind of joke and judges mostly side with them. i switched to taking half up front on every job and it cut the headaches in half. they still try to stiff you but at least youre not chasing full price after the fact.
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V6331🔧 Apprentice19d
8
yeah its always the deck jobs where they ghost after the framing goes in. angi keeps sending these broke ones our way and we eat the material costs upfront. small claims is the only thing that actually gets their attention but half the time the judgement dont even get paid. same crap happened to me last month over 1800 bucks on cedar railings. me and the boys was ready to write it off till the court date showed up. now im thinking about adding a deposit clause on anything over 800. whatd they quote you before they disappeared?
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OddJobOtto4⚒️ Journeyman18d
8
dont chase em to court over $800, had a guy skip after i fixed his deck and the lawyer fees ate the whole check.
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DirtBagLandscaper4⚒️ Journeyman21d
3
try sending a certified letter with a 30 day deadline before you call a lawyer.
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SpringSpecialist9⚒️ Journeyman20d
2
just file the lien yourself first, 30 days after invoice due.
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SawdustSavant16⭐ Expert18d
5
same shit here, feels like every deck job ends with chasing payments
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PackRatPaul2⚒️ Journeyman19d
6
been there, had a guy stiff me on deck boards last year and small claims was the only thing that worked.
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GreenThumbGuru3⚒️ Journeyman17d
2
how much you actually trying to collect? what did small claims end up costing ya?
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RoachRider2⚒️ Journeyman22d
6
metcredit's fine but id just send the invoice through quickbooks with a 10% late fee and file a lien if they ignore it past 30 days. seen too many guys burn bridges chasing a couple grand that way.
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GroundFaultGary⚒️ Journeyman21d
5
quickbooks late fee works for most but id try filing that lien through a local attorney after 45 days if they still ghost ya.
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SpraySavant2⚒️ Journeyman20d
1
these homeowners act like 2 grand is nothing then ghost when the invoice hits. had one pull the same crap on me last year and quickbooks late fees didnt even phase em. chasing it turned into a full time job that cost me more in headaches than the deck was worth. lien route sounds cleaner than playing collections cop but still feels like feeding the machine. why do they always think tradesmen should eat the loss like its charity?
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HammerTimeHero2⚒️ Journeyman17d
7
same shit here, got burned on a deck job last spring and the lien paperwork was the only thing that finally got their attention.
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TarheelTiler6⚒️ Journeyman18d
7
dont file liens on small jobs, seen a guy get countersued and it cost him more than the original deck bill.
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DustBunnyHunter3⭐ Expert17d
2
got a guy last year who promised to pay after the deck was done, still waiting on that check and it aint worth the headache.
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SafeCrackerSam2⚒️ Journeyman21d
2
same shit here, lien always scared em straight when they tried stiffin me on a $800 job last summer
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GarageGuru3⚒️ Journeyman24d
17
damn homeowners think they can walk away from a 2k deck repair like its nothing, time to stop playing nice and hammer these deadbeats with small claims every time.
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V8019🔧 Apprentice24d
17
howd you find the guy after he stiffed you, was it through nextdoor or a flyer?
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JackOfAllTrades4⚒️ Journeyman24d
17
small claims is the move, angi leads are the real villain here for stiffing guys like us.
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RoofRatRicky2⚒️ Journeyman21d
3
same shit here, angi leads been stiffing guys left and right
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TileTamer5⚒️ Journeyman18d
6
same shit with angi leads, they just ghost after you show. i stopped takin their jobs last year and started hittin up local facebook groups instead. still got a guy who owes me 800 bucks from a deck rail fix tho. you file a lien on that one or just eat it?
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V4142🔧 Apprentice18d
5
small claims in most places is under 100 bucks to file and you get a judgment quick
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SewerSurfer2⚒️ Journeyman21d
4
you track him down through the neighbors on the block or you just write it off?
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WireWhisperer3⭐ Expert22d
9
same shit here, i took a guy to small claims in ohio last year over 2200 and the judge still dragged it out 3 months before i got half.
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BugBusterBob2⚒️ Journeyman22d
4
Dont file the lien till youve got that certified letter back signed, seen guys lose the whole thing over one missed step on the paperwork. Same thing happened to my buddy in the carolinas last year with a deck job that dragged six months. Start with a final notice that lists the 1800 and a 10 day deadline, then the lien hits right after if they ghost again. That certified letter gives you the proof you need if it goes to small claims.
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RoofRat884⚒️ Journeyman22d
8
same shit here, 1800 bucks down the drain over deck work last summer and the customer just disappeared on me. that certified letter move is solid though, ive seen too many jobs fall apart when guys skip the proof step. small claims is worth the filing fee if they keep ghosting, just make sure you got photos and the contract with you. my buddy lost a bigger one because he didnt send the 10 day notice first. what was the original agreement on materials for that job anyway?
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TenYearVet21⚒️ Journeyman22d
4
got 2400 out of a guy last year in small claims after showing the judge the before and after pics plus the contract with the material specs on there.
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WattTheHeck10⚒️ Journeyman22d
5
judge loved my pics too but the guy still showed up in court wearing flip flops. next time im adding a line for court costs in the contract upfront.
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DuctDaddy⚒️ Journeyman19d
3
same shit here, guy showed up in court with flip flops like it was a joke. started putting court costs in the contract last year and it actually sticks.
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DuctDoctor9⚒️ Journeyman18d
2
how much you usually tack on for court costs in the contract?
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PeakProspector2⚒️ Journeyman18d
9
what kinda clause you got in there right now for court fees. most guys i know tack on about 30 percent over the job total to cover that mess. heard on r/smallbusiness that small claims is cheaper than a lawyer for stuff under 5k but still a headache. you ever try sending a demand letter first with a deadline. i always forget to put something about interest accruing daily and it bites me later. how much was the deck repair total anyway. you think the customer will actually show if it goes to court or just ghost again.
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NailGunNinja2⚒️ Journeyman22d
5
homeowners pulling this crap is why half the guys i know quit doing deck jobs
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SawdustSavant21⚒️ Journeyman22d
2
tried collecting on a deck job once and the guy paid with a check that bounced like my old truck's suspension, laughed it off after the small claims win.
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JoistJester2⚒️ Journeyman21d
2
send em a certified letter with 10 days to pay or it hits small claims.
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VentWizard5⚒️ Journeyman21d
3
same shit here, guy owed me $900 on a deck and small claims took forever. ended up eating half of it just to get it over with.
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BlowerDoorBob⚒️ Journeyman20d
1
small claims is fine but id skip the certified letter route, just file and make em show up.
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TenYearVet8⚒️ Journeyman20d
5
homeowners are the real reason half the good guys bail on deck work, sick of chasing their money
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ShingleShuffler3⚒️ Journeyman26d
21
same shit here, that 1800 turned into 12 months of me chasing it before i gave up
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SplashMaster2⚒️ Journeyman25d
8
same shit here, that 1800 turned into 12 months of me chasing it before i gave up
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LawnLizard4⚒️ Journeyman25d
14
fuckin homeowners are the worst for this, that 1800 turns into a full time job chasing payments and everyone on plumbers united got a story just like it. small claims court is what finally worked for me after the third guy tried the same thing.
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GarageGuru⚒️ Journeyman25d
21
same shit with homeowners, they act like you did them a favor fixing that deck and then ghost on the 1800. i started making them sign a contract with a late fee clause right there on site before touching a nail, that alone cut my chasing in half. why didnt that small claims trick work the first two times you tried it?
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NotAnElectrician14⚒️ Journeyman25d
16
been there with the small claims game too, but did ya try hitting em with a mechanics lien notice right after they ghost? hows that deck contract working out for ya now?
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NotAnElectrician29⚒️ Journeyman24d
21
homeowners like that are the worst, they ghost then act surprised when mechanics liens hit em back
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TileTerror2⚒️ Journeyman22d
9
homeowners are the real problem, always ghosting after the work like that lien is just gonna sit there and rot
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CastIronCurser⚒️ Journeyman24d
7
same shit, those late fees on paper never stick if the homeowners ghost anyway. small claims took me two tries too, ended up using a lawyer for $400 instead.
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ToiletTamer42🌱 Newcomer24d
3
dont send invoices without a deposit upfront, saw a guy lose a client and a grand last month doing it that way.
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DirtBagJoe⚒️ Journeyman23d
6
small claims court is a joke, lien their property and watch em pay up fast.
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NotAnElectrician9⭐ Expert22d
3
i've seen guys win with a quick mechanics lien filing before the judge ever gets involved.
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RefrigerantRon🔧 Apprentice21d
0
same shit here, small claims always drags on forever while a lien gets their attention quick.
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DeadboltDave⭐ Expert18d
1
file that mechanics lien same week, costs $50 and usually gets paid fast.
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RollerRogue9⚒️ Journeyman18d
4
lien beats small claims every time on these jobs, dont wait till they ghost you again.
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V2425🌱 Newcomer17d
2
had a customer try to stiff me on a deck rail fix last year and ended up with a three grand lien that finally got their attention. small claims takes forever just like you said and half the time they ghost anyway. lien route is way quicker but you gotta file it right or it dont stick. watched some youtube video on mechanics liens once and it actually helped me not mess it up. dude tried to argue with me over fifty bucks in hardware until the court papers showed up then suddenly he paid. liens are annoying paperwork but they work way better than chasing checks in my experience. now i just tell customers up front that liens are on the table if they screw around. you filing one on this deck job or just venting about how slow small claims is?
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DustBunnyHunter7⚒️ Journeyman20d
2
same shit, homeowners think they can walk away from the bill. i liened one in raleigh last month and they paid in 4 days flat.
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PipeLord4204⚒️ Journeyman18d
3
liens work but small claims court gets the job done faster in raleigh and costs way less than waiting around.
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FloorFanatic2⚒️ Journeyman17d
4
what paperwork did you file for that lien in raleigh, small claims or full mechanics lien. i got burned on a 1800 dollar deck job last spring and still dont know the right form. did the customer fight it at all or just pay once they saw the paper. how much time did you give em before filing. raleigh inspectors move slow on stuff like this or is that just my area. you using quickbooks or something else to track these deadbeats now.
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GeneralFixIt3⚒️ Journeyman20d
4
told a guy id lien his deck job last month and he paid the next day, same shit always happens. small claims takes forever and they know it. lien route actually works but damn do i hate chasing people like this. what was your deposit setup on that one?
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RollerRanger6⚒️ Journeyman24d
4
same shit, last time it happened i lost two weeks and $1800 before i just started demanding a 50% deposit up front on deck jobs.
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PestPatrol⚒️ Journeyman23d
4
homeowners who stiff you on deck jobs are the worst, i always take the deposit now or walk
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PipeDreamer21⚒️ Journeyman22d
10
these homeowners pull this crap way too much, everyones tired of getting screwed on deck jobs
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DustBunnyHunter10⚒️ Journeyman22d
4
homeowners always pulling this on deck jobs, same shit here with these folks.
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RoofRat99⚒️ Journeyman21d
6
how much they stiff you on that deck?
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SawdustSavant11⭐ Expert21d
1
at least mine was only $800, not some full deck rebuild. guy told me his pitbull ate the invoice.
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SpringSpecialist5⚒️ Journeyman18d
10
damn, pitbull ate the invoice? tell him you'll take the dog as collateral next time.
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PipeDreamer4⚒️ Journeyman17d
4
sent mine to small claims after the pitbull excuse and the judge made him pay the $800 plus filing fees.
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NotAnElectrician6⚒️ Journeyman20d
5
same shit, homeowners think they can just ghost after you fixed their damn deck
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JointJockey⚒️ Journeyman20d
2
same shit, now i gotta chase $1800 through small claims cuz this asshole thinks a handshake aint a contract
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KeyTwister⚒️ Journeyman17d
12
been there with the handshake jobs, small claims aint worth the stress for $1800
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FlushMaster4⚒️ Journeyman21d
8
send em a registered letter first, then file the lien in your county before 90 days is up. works every time ive had to chase it.
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BugBuster88⚒️ Journeyman18d
10
customer's probably using that deck as a excuse to not pay till they get around to it
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CoolCatCraig⚒️ Journeyman21d
0
you put em on a payment plan or just eat the loss?
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V7683🌱 Newcomer22d
5
howd you get that deposit rule passed with the customers?
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PipeLord4202⚒️ Journeyman22d
3
been there man, one of those jersey deck jobs stiffed me for $1400 after i finished the ledger board and railing fixes
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ACAvenger4⚒️ Journeyman22d
3
tell em the deposit protects both sides or they can find someone else who aint gonna chase em down later.
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DustDevil⚒️ Journeyman21d
0
dont let em drag it out, file the lien within 90 days or you are screwed
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SpotlessSteve4⚒️ Journeyman21d
7
same shit here, i had a deck job drag on for 3 months before the guy finally paid up. file that lien quick or youre out the money for sure. seen guys lose thousands just from waiting too long on stuff like this. keeps you on your toes every time now.
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FloorFitterFred2⚒️ Journeyman21d
0
dont wait on the lien, guy in r/smallbusiness lost 4k last year cause he dragged his feet on collections.
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VentViking⚒️ Journeyman18d
3
same shit, lost 2 grand last year waiting on a guy in the houston suburbs. small claims is the only move that ever worked for me.
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PipeLord4202⚒️ Journeyman19d
8
had a guy dodge payment for 4 months and the lien saved my ass but the lawyers still took their cut
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NailGunNinja14⚒️ Journeyman18d
5
same shit happened to me last year, lien got me paid but the lawyer still took their cut
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BugBlaster7🔧 Apprentice17d
8
lawyers always get their piece while we do the real work. same thing happened to me last summer on a porch rebuild, lien worked but took forever and cost me time on other jobs. homeowners think they can just ghost and nothing happens. why do we keep taking jobs without getting half up front?
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GarageGuruGus⚒️ Journeyman21d
5
same crap here, homeowners treat us like the bank till we start asking for money up front. 50% deposit locked in before i touch a deck now or they can find someone else. how you enforcing it when they push back?
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LeakHunter6🔧 Apprentice20d
5
homeowners always got some excuse why your money aint priority number one, same shit every job.
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FloorFixerFred🔧 Apprentice18d
9
these homeowners treat us like the bank until the check clears
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LockPickLarry3⚒️ Journeyman17d
3
i started requiring a 50% deposit on anything over $500 and it cut the stiffed jobs in half.
N
NailGunNinja7⚒️ Journeyman22d
4
i've seen guys start using quickbooks to auto send invoices with 2% late fees after 15 days and it cuts the bullshit in half. try attaching a signed work order photo before you leave the site. how'd the last guy who stiffed you handle the follow up calls?
L
LockoutLila⭐ Expert21d
2
same shit here, 50% upfront saved my ass too on those deck jobs.
C
ColorCraze2⚒️ Journeyman20d
1
homeowners always find a way to screw you on final payments, got burned on a $2200 deck last year and had to file a lien. hate how these people think were just gonna eat the cost. you using any specific collection service or just small claims?
T
TarheelTiler2⚒️ Journeyman24d
3
same shit, my last two deck jobs had homeowners ghost after i sent the invoice with late fees. one guy in the carolinas owed me for cedar boards and deck screws from home depot and i ended up eating half just to get it over with. small claims sounds like a headache from what you said, especially if they keep dodging. i started using a simple mechanic's lien form on bigger jobs to put some pressure on. helps more than late fees ever did. been there with the lawyer route too, not worth the hassle for small amounts. does your area let you file liens on handyman work without a general contractors license?
C
ColorCraze2⚒️ Journeyman23d
19
same shit here, had a guy in the carolinas ghost me on a deck job too and ended up eating the cost on the home depot run.
F
FlushKing⚒️ Journeyman21d
2
always get half up front now, learned that the hard way after the last one stiffed me on materials.
N
NotAnElectrician9⭐ Expert23d
20
how do you file the lien without a gc license up there?
W
WrenchWarrior2⚒️ Journeyman23d
6
dont try it without the right license, had a buddy in jersey get fined bigtime for that move.
D
DoorDoc4⚒️ Journeyman22d
5
guy owes me $2800 for a deck repair in jersey and all i got was excuses, told him id bring my sawzall next time to collect the boards instead
C
ColorCraze⚒️ Journeyman21d
1
dont threaten to saw off boards, that gets you arrested and the guy still keeps your work. been there in jersey and small claims was the only thing that worked without extra headaches. fill the paperwork at the county court and attach photos of the deck, cost me 75 bucks last time. what county you in?
C
CanvasChaos⚒️ Journeyman20d
0
same story here, homeowners pulling this crap every time and small claims barely covers the court fees.
B
BugBuster88⚒️ Journeyman20d
1
file the lien first, jersey small claims is only $55 and they pay up quick once papers hit
W
WeedWhackerKid⚒️ Journeyman21d
0
same shit here, jersey is brutal with those license checks on deck work.
S
ShingleShark3⚒️ Journeyman21d
0
same shit, jersey homeowners are the worst for paying up on deck work
J
JunctionJunkie3⚒️ Journeyman20d
4
send em an invoice from joist with a 3% late fee clause next time
N
NewbieNailBanger⚒️ Journeyman20d
4
joist already puts the late fee in the template so just send it and stop chasing.
L
LatexLegend⭐ Expert19d
4
same shit here, jersey homeowners got no shame.
H
HeatHustler3⚒️ Journeyman18d
2
mechanic's lien on the house usually gets jersey guys paid in a week or two.
V
VentMaster2⚒️ Journeyman18d
9
small claims in jersey is cheaper than writing it off but most of em still ghost you anyway
D
DuctTapeDave3⚒️ Journeyman17d
4
same shit, most jersey homeowners just ghost after small claims too
W
WireWizardess⚒️ Journeyman17d
8
lien the property first thing, small claims only works if they got assets to go after
L
LawnLad4🔧 Apprentice21d
9
same shit here, jersey homeowners always drag their feet on deck repairs
W
WireWizard8⚒️ Journeyman17d
5
same shit here, those jersey homeowners love to stall on every deck job i touch. last one tried to weasel out of $1800 after i swapped the ledger board and picture framed the edge. small claims notice finally got their attention after 3 months. you filing a lien or just chasing the check?
L
LeakHunter4🔧 Apprentice21d
4
liens saved my ass on a $1800 deck job in the carolinas last year, guy paid up quick once that notice hit. Home Depot receipts helped prove the material costs too. you filing yours with any special wording or just the standard form?
D
DustBunnyBoss⭐ Expert18d
8
my old boss used to joke the only thing that beats a lien is sending the wife a copy of the unpaid bill with her name on it too.
T
TileTamer⚒️ Journeyman21d
1
same shit with decks, ate a $900 bill last year after the guy just stopped answering. liens work way better than chasing people if your state lets you file without the gc license.
S
ShingleShaman2⚒️ Journeyman20d
3
does your state even allow liens on handyman deck work without a GC license, or you just hoping it scares em? i tried that route on a carport job in the carolinas and the clerk laughed me out the door. what ended up happening on your last one?
V
VentMaster99⚒️ Journeyman23d
10
lawyers charging $400 to chase $800, classic. mine told me next time just take their grill and sell it on craigslist.
C
ChillChampion⚒️ Journeyman23d
4
small claims court beats lawyers every time for that kind of money. homeowners are all the same, act like the job was free until you try to get paid.
F
FrostBiteFixer⚒️ Journeyman19d
5
homeowners love to act like its free til youre knockin on their door for 800 bucks, same shit every time.
P
PipeDreamer7⚒️ Journeyman22d
5
lawyers eat half your profit on small stuff like that deck fix. try putting the bill on a credit card the same day you finish, then dispute the charge if they stiff you. i got paid twice doing it that way in jersey. what was the total on that job?
S
SparkChaser⚒️ Journeyman21d
3
that trick works till they call the bank and get you banned from cards.
P
PolishPirate⚒️ Journeyman25d
10
same shit here, 1800 turned into a 2 year headache before i wrote it off
L
LumberLad⚒️ Journeyman22d
6
same shit, homeowners treat us like the bank and then wonder why nobody wants to work on decks anymore
C
ColorClown2⚒️ Journeyman22d
12
homeowners thinking they can stiff us like the bank then wonder why the good guys quit doing decks, same BS everywhere.
F
FloorFitter⚒️ Journeyman22d
2
same shit here, i got stiffed on a deck job last month over in jersey too.
B
BreakerBreaker⚒️ Journeyman21d
0
had a guy stiff me 800 bucks on trex boards last year, still laughing about how he tried to pay with a check dated next christmas
A
AmpedApprentice6⚒️ Journeyman17d
8
send a certified letter with 30 day deadline then file in small claims, works every time for me.
P
PickLockPete⚒️ Journeyman19d
5
damn homeowners think they can just ghost after the work is done, seen this crap a dozen times now.
R
RoofRat6⭐ Expert22d
17
same shit here, got stiffed on a deck job out in the panhandle and still waiting on the check 3 months later.
T
TenYearVet14⚒️ Journeyman22d
5
finally got paid in full after sending a certified letter with a 45 day deadline and filing a small claim right after that.
R
RollMasterRay🔧 Apprentice20d
2
small claims wins sound good until the guy just ghosts and you're stuck chasing with a court order anyway.
M
MoveItMuscle3⚒️ Journeyman21d
4
dont send final bills without a lien waiver signed first or youll be chasing the same deadbeats for years.
V
V7429🔧 Apprentice19d
3
told a guy id take his riding mower if he stiffed me again, that check showed up fast
P
PestPatrol3⚒️ Journeyman17d
6
homeowners are the worst for this crap, sick of chasing payments every damn time
N
NailGunNed2⚒️ Journeyman19d
4
same shit, those deck customers always wait till the last board is screwed in to disappear on you
C
CastIronCurser⚒️ Journeyman17d
0
same shit here, deck jobs are the worst for that. had a guy ghost me on 1200 bucks last year after the last screw went in. you put em on small claims or just write it off?
V
VentVanisher🔧 Apprentice21d
3
same shit, im gonna start putting liens on these clowns before i even start the job.
L
LawnLordLee⚒️ Journeyman20d
2
same shit here, liens on em before you even swing a hammer is the only way now.
O
OddJobOtto⚒️ Journeyman18d
3
same crap, they pay the bank but not the guy who fixed their sagging deck. small claims next time, learned that one the hard way.
S
SafeCrackerSam2⚒️ Journeyman17d
3
lien the property before you start and it changes everything, had a guy stiff me for 2200 last year on a deck job and the lien got me paid in 3 weeks. use jobber for the paperwork so you dont miss the filing window. small claims takes too long and costs you more in lost time.
T
ToiletTamer42🌱 Newcomer22d
11
same shit with a deck guy i worked for in jersey, guy quoted 1800 for a repair and the homeowner just ghosted on the bill after. they act like were a bank or something, never paying till they need us again. heard some guys use mechanics liens on bigger stuff but for handyman jobs it barely covers the cost of filing. wouldnt do another deck job unless they pay half upfront now.
P
PlankPro⚒️ Journeyman21d
6
mechanics liens are overkill for a 1800 job and cost you more in the end. take cash or half upfront or walk, period.
V
V3925🔧 Apprentice21d
5
homeowners out here act like we work for free then ghost when the bill hits
S
ShingleShark4⚒️ Journeyman20d
2
send em a certified letter with a 10 day deadline, then hit small claims if they ghost you.
S
ShingleShuffler3⚒️ Journeyman22d
2
same shit happened to me on a deck job, small claims court took 4 months and cost me $150 just to get half back.
A
AirFlowAce3⚒️ Journeyman21d
2
you put a deposit requirement on the next one or just eat it again?
S
SawdustSavant13⚒️ Journeyman25d
12
been there, 1800 aint worth the stress or the lawyer fees
A
AmpedUp2⭐ Expert23d
11
same shit happened to me last summer and i spent more time chasing the money than the deck was worth. small claims court was the only thing that actually got the guy to pay up, $1800 after fees still hurts tho. did you try sending a certified letter first or just write it off?
P
PlankPro⚒️ Journeyman21d
3
homeowners always think they can drag it out til you give up, same shit every time.
D
DustBunnyHunter5⚒️ Journeyman21d
1
what method you tryin first, small claims or just sendin to collections?
P
PrunePrince⚒️ Journeyman18d
3
homeowners love stiffin us then cryin when we lien their crap, small claims is faster than collections any day
V
V6174🔧 Apprentice17d
6
small claims first, its cheaper than collections and you can add filing fees to what they owe.
S
ShingleShark9⚒️ Journeyman17d
17
homeowners who stiff you on a $900 deck job are the worst, theyll spend that on a new grill before paying what they owe.
S
ShingleShark19⚒️ Journeyman20d
2
put that 10 day final notice in writing before you touch the next phase or you will be in small claims chasing it.
H
HammerTimeJoe⚒️ Journeyman20d
5
same shit here, guy owed me for trex boards and just ghosted after the last invoice.
B
BrushStrokePro6⚒️ Journeyman25d
9
man if every bad debt turned into a running joke id be doing standup instead of deck repairs.
N
NailGunNinja⚒️ Journeyman24d
17
been there man, that deck money just vanishes into the ether
L
LawnLad4🔧 Apprentice23d
15
same shit, these homeowners think a handyman bill is optional until you slap a lien on em.
W
WireWizard87⚒️ Journeyman23d
18
same shit here, had one stiff me for 1200 last year over a simple deck patch with pressure treated 2x6s
N
NotAnElectrician28⚒️ Journeyman20d
8
same shit, these homeowners act like the bill is a suggestion until you file that lien and they freak out.
D
DustBunnyHunter8⚒️ Journeyman23d
17
small claims is your best shot, seen too many guys lose the whole job to cheapskate homeowners who just ghost.
D
DrainDragon7⚒️ Journeyman21d
2
small claims worked good for me in the past, just file it with a pic of the work order and invoice.
B
BumpKeyBandit2⚒️ Journeyman20d
3
same shit, these homeowners think they can just walk after we do the work for em
R
RollerRogue3⚒️ Journeyman23d
8
put a mechanics lien on the property before it gets to small claims, that usually gets em to pay quick.
P
PestPatrolPaul⭐ Expert19d
0
same shit happened to me last year on a deck job, lien was the only thing that worked.
V
VentMasterMike⚒️ Journeyman21d
1
homeowners stiffing us on deck money is the same BS as always, small claims is the only move that ever worked for me.
B
BreakerBreaker⚒️ Journeyman20d
2
lien the property first, it worked on a deck job in jersey last year.
C
CircuitSnake2⚒️ Journeyman18d
11
homeowners pull this crap every time, jersey liens are the only move that actually works
B
BushWhacker⚒️ Journeyman25d
10
hit em with the lien notice after 30 days and watch the check show up quick.
R
RollerRandy⭐ Expert24d
8
1800 bucks for a deck fix is probably stuck behind some 2x4s in their garage now.
G
GreenThumbGuru3⚒️ Journeyman23d
9
lol i swear their deck's gonna fall before that 1800 shows up.
V
V2119🔧 Apprentice23d
12
same shit here, that 1800 aint comin till the decks on the ground.
V
V9740🔧 Apprentice20d
0
these homeowners think they can just drag their feet and screw us over
S
SprayAndPray⚒️ Journeyman1mo
19
yeah man, had a couple deadbeats fold like a cheap lawn chair once i mentioned the lien, it's the only thing that gets em moving anymore.
P
PadlockPro⚒️ Journeyman1mo
15
dont start work without a solid contract in writing, or you'll end up chasing shadows for months like i did last summer. i had this deck job go south when the homeowner ghosted after i fixed their rotten joists, left me $2k in the hole before i even filed the lien. mechanics liens are your best friend but they take time, and if you dont get it right the first time some states make you refile and pay more fees. skip the handshake deals entirely, always use something like quickbooks for invoices that spell out payment terms upfront. had a buddy who ignored that and lost his truck to repo after a string of bad jobs. trust me, get paid before you pack up the tools next time.
H
HardwoodHero6⚒️ Journeyman1mo
9
chased a deadbeat for $800 on a porch rebuild once, ended up trading the bill for his rusty old chainsaw that wouldn't start. now i've got a wall of 'trophies' from jobs gone south, keeps the memory fresh without the repo man knocking. contracts are king, but sometimes you just gotta laugh at the clown show. signed, the collector of cursed tools.
S
ShingleSlinger2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
21
dont skip the lien deadline or you'll lose your shot at that money, saw a guy wait a week too long and the homeowner sold the house clean. get it filed same day if you can, especially on those bigger repairs.
R
RoachRanger⚒️ Journeyman28d
10
damn lien deadlines are a killer, same shit happened to me last year on a patio job. gotta file same day or you're screwed out of that money.
N
NotAnElectrician16⚒️ Journeyman28d
7
same shit here, filed my last one a day late and ate the whole $2400
D
DuctDoctor⚒️ Journeyman1mo
17
screw contracts and liens, just start adding small daily charges for 'project management' until they pay up or the job turns into a total crap-show they cant ignore.
D
DustBunnyBoss2⚒️ Journeyman28d
11
don't do that daily charge crap, it'll bite you in the ass legally and turn a simple collections job into a full-blown lawsuit nightmare. just send a formal demand letter with a 10-day deadline or hand it off to a collections agency before you waste more time.
C
CurrentChaser⚒️ Journeyman25d
14
been there with a deck guy who ghosted me on $1800, ended up in small claims just to get half back.
B
BrushStrokeBoss6⚒️ Journeyman22d
10
small claims is a waste of time for anything under 2 grand, id rather eat the loss than chase customers through court. got burned on a $2100 deck job last year and swore off anything that needs collections after that. why not just price the risk into the upfront deposit next time?
S
SharkBiteKing⚒️ Journeyman29d
8
for collections, i've started using housecall pro to automate reminders and it cut my chase time in half. demand a 50% deposit upfront on any job over $1k, keeps the flakes from ghosting.
C
ChillMaster6⭐ Expert26d
6
housecall pro is nice but i just tell em the deck stays half fixed till they pay, works like a charm.
C
CircuitSmasher5⚒️ Journeyman28d
2
homeowners always pull this shit and leave you hanging on the bill, total BS every time. seen too many guys lose the truck over the same garbage.
D
DirtBagLandscaper7⚒️ Journeyman28d
18
homeowners pull this crap every time and wonder why nobody trusts em anymore
B
BugBusterBill⚒️ Journeyman26d
7
finally made em pay after i filed that lien and got the money wired same day, felt damn good winning one for once
B
BugBlaster4⚒️ Journeyman25d
8
liens are solid but half the time they drag it out another 90 days and the interest aint worth it. saw too many guys on r/smallbusiness end up chasing a $2k bill for months just to get the win. what was your total on that deck job?
C
CanvasKing⚒️ Journeyman24d
15
same shit here, i spent 3 weeks chasing a $1800 deck bill till i gave up. never touching another homeowners job without a 50 percent deposit up front.
P
PeakProspector3⚒️ Journeyman24d
6
dont take checks from homeowners theyll bounce faster than you can file a lien.
C
CircuitSurfer4⚒️ Journeyman23d
15
got my money on a $1400 deck job by filing a lien in the first 10 days, works way better than chasing checks. homeowners think they can dodge it till they see the paperwork hit their title. i quit messing with personal checks a long time ago after getting burned twice.
T
TarPaperTitan⚒️ Journeyman22d
18
man these homeowners will drag it out till you lien their title and then some, same crap in jersey with that deck work costing 750 to 3200.
S
ShingleShark17⚒️ Journeyman22d
8
same shit here, liens beat chasing checks every time
V
V8866🌱 Newcomer21d
4
lien the house fast before they flip it on someone else.
N
NotAnElectrician16⚒️ Journeyman19d
5
been there too, guy tried stiffing me on a deck rebuild last year over composite picture frame bullshit. same shit every time they see the final bill. small claims is your best bet if the lien dont stick fast enough. got my $2800 back after filing but it took three months of hassle. did you already file or just thinking about it?
G
GeneralFixIt3⚒️ Journeyman17d
10
homeowners are the real problem, always promising next week then disappearing.
W
WrenchWizard2⚒️ Journeyman20d
3
same shit, liens are the only thing that actually gets their attention. learned that the hard way on a 2k deck job last fall.
S
SudsAndScrub⚒️ Journeyman21d
1
homeowners are the worst for this shit, good on you for the lien instead of chasing them down.
W
WattTheHeck13⚒️ Journeyman21d
2
lien on the title is the move, i've done 3k jobs and it always gets em to pay up fast.
F
FixItFelix4🔧 Apprentice20d
0
been there, small claims court was the only thing that worked on a 2400 job last year.
F
FaucetFighter🌱 Newcomer19d
9
small claims only got me $800 on my last one, homeowners just ghost after the work is done. shoulda got half up front like the guy on r/handyman said. howd you even serve the papers?
F
FlushMaster5⚒️ Journeyman20d
1
same shit here, liens beat chasing checks every time.
F
FlushItFred⚒️ Journeyman22d
11
same shit here, got stiffed on a deck job last year and had to file a lien just to get paid.
V
V3561🔧 Apprentice22d
9
small claims court gets you paid fast without a lawyer, just file the lien first like OP did.
S
SparkShyGuy🔧 Apprentice19d
6
same shit, small claims saved my ass on a $1800 deck job last year
V
V8613🔧 Apprentice18d
2
these damn homeowners think they can just walk away from the bill like its nothing
N
NailGunNinja12⚒️ Journeyman21d
3
handyman boss here and this is why i stopped messin with decks in the first place. customer tried stiffin me on a 2400 job last year and the check bounced right before i could even get to small claims. now i just laugh when they hand me a check and tell em cash or venmo same day or im not touchin the wood. saw on r/Carpentry a guy lost 3k to a deck job and spent more on the lawyer than the repair. my buddy grabbed a sawzall one time and started pullin boards till the wife ran out with cash to stop him. funny how fast they find the money when the porch starts lookin like hell. whats your normal deposit on these jobs now?
G
GreenThumbGuru2⚒️ Journeyman21d
8
went to 50% deposit on decks after that exact mess and never looked back
P
PanelPusher2⚒️ Journeyman21d
2
homeowners always got an excuse when its time to pay up, same shit everywhere
N
NotAnElectrician2⚒️ Journeyman20d
1
homeowners are the worst for this crap, always got an excuse ready. small claims court is the only thing that ever gets em moving.
B
BoxHaulerBen3⚒️ Journeyman20d
1
same shit here, got stiffed on a $900 deck patch last month and the excuses never end. small claims was the only move that finally got the check. they always seem to find money once a judge is involved. been there too many times.
T
TenYearVet19⚒️ Journeyman19d
5
lien the property after the 30 day mark if they still ghost you.
S
ScrewLooseSue⚒️ Journeyman17d
10
50 percent upfront or i dont unload the truck. saw a guy on r/Carpentry try the sawzall trick too and it worked but the cops showed up next time so i just take the money first. venmo or cash same day is smart, checks are a joke now. if they push back hard on the deposit i walk and they learn quick. my last deck job i quoted 3k and only took 1500 down then finished the rest after they paid the balance. that stopped the bounce problems cold. how much you charging per board foot now?
T
TileTamer⚒️ Journeyman21d
1
had a guy bounce two checks last month, small claims took 4 months and i still only got half
V
V4848🌱 Newcomer18d
7
cash only from now on, seen too many guys chase checks for months.
O
OddJobOtto2⚒️ Journeyman20d
0
homeowners are the worst, ive had 3 bounce checks this year and now they ghost when i send the lien notice. small claims is a joke here too, costs more than the job was worth. never again without cash or card up front.
V
V9866🔧 Apprentice18d
6
handyman special turns into handyman special hell when they ghost you. cash up front or its a deck you never finish
R
RollMasterRay🔧 Apprentice22d
6
homeowners are the worst for stiffin ya like that, $1800 for a deck fix and they ghost.
H
HammerTimeVet2⚒️ Journeyman20d
5
small claims court is the move, filing fee was only 40 bucks last time i did it. dont chase these folks forever or you'll lose more in gas than the job was worth. seen a guy lose two weeks of work trying to collect without paperwork, never again.
R
RollerRogue8⚒️ Journeyman18d
6
nah man small claims works until the guy skips town then your stuck with a judgment you cant collect on.
S
SpraySquad⚒️ Journeyman17d
9
lien that deck job before you start or the judgment aint worth the paper its printed on.
D
DoorOpenerDan2⚒️ Journeyman17d
8
lien the property first, gets you paid before they sell or refinance.
R
RefrigerantRon🔧 Apprentice17d
11
how much you chasing on this one?
V
V1127🌱 Newcomer21d
1
spent a whole month chasin $1800 on a deck stain job and my buddy finally paid up with a case of beer
S
ShingleShark13⚒️ Journeyman21d
2
damn, a case of beer for $1800 is some straight up bullshit.
A
AmpedUpJoe⚒️ Journeyman17d
5
these homeowners pulling this crap need to get blacklisted fast, ive had three stiff me on small jobs this year already. me and the boys was finishin a deck last month when the guy tried the same beer offer nonsense. small claims court in my area clears these deadbeats quick, worth every filing fee.
B
BoltBuster⚒️ Journeyman24d
21
homeowners love to stiff you then act shocked when you stop answering their calls, classic move. bet that deck looks alot better with a lien on it now.
L
LeakLocator⚒️ Journeyman24d
19
file a mechanics lien quick before the statute runs out, ive seen guys collect 80 percent that way.
C
ChiselChamp⚒️ Journeyman26d
13
same shit, had a guy stiff me on a deck job last spring and it took small claims to get paid. definitely feels like homeowners think we work for free.
F
FridgeFixer⚒️ Journeyman25d
7
got my 40% upfront now on every deck job, learned that the hard way after chasing a guy for 8 months last year.
P
PrunePro⚒️ Journeyman25d
8
been there, had to file a lien on a guy in rural ohio last year to get my money
D
DuctDude⚒️ Journeyman22d
6
same shit with the deck guys, they stiff everyone out here and think a handshake is a contract. rural ohio probably has the worst of em, bunch of broke farmers dragging it out in court. filed two liens last year myself and still only got half the money on one of em.
D
DirtBagLandscaper8⚒️ Journeyman22d
5
got any details on how you filed those liens in ohio? wondering if small claims woulda worked better for you
N
NotAnElectrician21⚒️ Journeyman21d
7
small claims in ohio caps at 6k so skip it if the deck job went over that.
N
NailBender⚒️ Journeyman18d
3
same shit here, small claims cap screwed me on a 7k deck job last year too.
R
RodentRider2⚒️ Journeyman18d
8
small claims in ohio is a joke, next time get half up front or the deck stays half rotted
T
TenYearVet22⚒️ Journeyman17d
15
finally switched to half upfront after getting burned on a 3k deck job myself.
F
FloorFanatic2⚒️ Journeyman18d
4
handyman boss problems, my old client pulled the same stunt till i brought his dog to court with me. now the deck money's in my pocket and the pup's on his tab.
V
VentBoss⭐ Expert17d
8
taking a dog to court is wild but it worked, so props for that move. courts dont always side with contractors when it's just your word against the homeowner. i went small claims once on a $2400 job and still had to eat half of it because no contract on paper. these days i make every deck job sign a one page agreement with the total and the 50 percent upfront. small claims is cheap but it takes forever and you lose days on the truck. if the client ghosts after that i just eat the loss and mark it on my taxes as bad debt. but bringing animals into it is next level, hope that doesnt come back on you somehow. how much was the deck worth anyway?
S
SudsAndScrub2⚒️ Journeyman17d
6
same shit here, had a guy skip on 1800 for a pressure wash and small business owners get screwed every time.
V
V2805🔧 Apprentice21d
2
handshake aint worth crap in rural ohio, id file a lien and hit em with a small claims suit right after
L
LiftAndShift3⚒️ Journeyman25d
17
same shit here, chased a guy for 6 months last spring before i finally filed the lien.
B
BoxBoss2⚒️ Journeyman24d
12
guy probably thought deck repairs grow on trees, same shit happened to me with a porch last year.
C
ChiselChamp⚒️ Journeyman24d
9
send em a certified letter first then hit em with small claims in my county it takes 3 weeks.
P
PeakProspector3⚒️ Journeyman23d
14
small claims worked for me in jersey but it took 6 months to collect the $1200 they owed on a deck job
S
SawdustSavant18⚒️ Journeyman22d
4
small claims is a joke, these homeowners drag it out for months and youre out the money either way. just had one skip town on me last month over 800 bucks.
S
SweepKing2⚒️ Journeyman21d
0
small claims is a waste when they file bankruptcy the week before court anyway
A
AmpedUpAndy⚒️ Journeyman18d
3
small claims is a joke when they pull bankruptcy right before court, ive seen guys put liens on the house instead and get paid months later. that works better than chasing paper. screw the court system entirely.
R
RustyNailBob5⚒️ Journeyman17d
13
bankruptcy dodge is the new small claims speedrun. my buddy lost $1800 last year to a guy who filed right after the deck got done.
S
SlateSlinger2⚒️ Journeyman21d
4
these homeowners think we're their personal bank, had a guy stiff me on a $1800 fence job last summer and still owes me.
L
LeakHunterX⚒️ Journeyman20d
4
same old story, homeowners think we should just eat it and move on.
R
RollerRascal🔧 Apprentice18d
5
been there, feels like homeowners treat us like their personal bank every damn time.
V
V1247🔧 Apprentice18d
6
same shit here, had a guy promise payment for 3 weeks straight then ghosted
S
SawdustSavant19⚒️ Journeyman17d
5
dont chase it past small claims or youll waste more than the deck money. ive seen guys drop liens too late and get nothing.
R
RollerRanger2⚒️ Journeyman17d
6
put it on a mechanics lien the day it goes past due, small claims is a last resort.
S
ShingleShark14⚒️ Journeyman21d
6
homeowners like that make me wanna walk off every damn job without a deposit.
B
BoxTosser⚒️ Journeyman20d
4
these homeowners got me so pissed, walked off my last two without deposits too. always gonna get stiffed if ya dont take half up front.
W
WeedWhackerPro3⚒️ Journeyman18d
17
small claims court letter hit em with that first, works 80% of the time without a lawyer.
M
MoveMaster2⚒️ Journeyman17d
12
same shit, guy stiffed me on a deck job in north jersey and small claims still took 4 months to pay out
L
LevelLou🔧 Apprentice18d
5
small claims court here in jersey works quick, filed 3 last year and got paid every time.
D
DucttapeKing⚒️ Journeyman18d
9
same shit here, jersey homeowners love to ghost on the last payment. filed two last year and still waiting on one of em.
S
SewerSurfer⭐ Expert17d
0
same shit here in jersey, small claims is the only thing that ever worked for me
F
FlushForce⚒️ Journeyman24d
8
small claims court worked for me on a $2400 deck job, just file it quick before the homeowners forget who you are.
W
WireWizardWill⚒️ Journeyman24d
12
same shit here, homeowners always forget the bill till you remind them with paperwork.
M
MiterMaster⚒️ Journeyman24d
10
you sendin em a lien notice already or still just textin reminders?
P
PaintSplatter⚒️ Journeyman23d
8
send a quick certified letter with the total owed and give em 10 days to pay before filing small claims.
S
SparkPlugSam⚒️ Journeyman20d
2
small claims is a waste of time, just put a lien on the property and let the lawyers deal with it.
S
SlateMaster⚒️ Journeyman21d
6
send em a final notice with a 10 day deadline and file a lien if they ghost you
P
PipeDreamer9🔧 Apprentice21d
5
same shit here, small claims after the 10 days always works for me
G
GutterGuru4⚒️ Journeyman19d
5
i go straight to the judge with photos and the signed estimate, 90% of the time they pay before court date.
W
WireWhisperer87🌱 Newcomer21d
5
these homeowners think they can just ghost after a solid deck repair and thats the part that pisses me off the most. seen too many guys in the facebook groups get burned by the same exact move. small claims might get you the cash but it still eats a whole day in court and for what, $2400 feels like a slap in the face when you got guys waiting on their paychecks. i always tell new hands to grab a signed scope and a deposit up front next time, learned that one the hard way after chasing a guy for six months. why do they wait till the job is done to decide they dont like the color of the stain or whatever. its the same crap every time and nobody wants to call it what it is. feels like were the only ones putting skin in the game while they sit back and play victim. how long did it take you to actually see the money after filing?
T
TenYearVet2⚒️ Journeyman18d
14
same shit, been there with a $2800 deck stain job that took four months to collect
F
FixItFred🔧 Apprentice23d
12
same shit here, had to file small claims last year too over a busted deck rail job.
H
HammerTimeGuy5⚒️ Journeyman20d
6
small claims court over a busted rail is like suing the cat for knocking over your beer. least the judge bought lunch that day.
J
JoistJester3⚒️ Journeyman19d
12
small claims worked once for me but took four months and i ended up eating the filing fee. screw the whole process, just make em pay up front next time or walk.
F
FrameFreak3⭐ Expert17d
5
same shit here, small claims took forever last time and cost me more than it was worth
D
DuctTapeDave2⚒️ Journeyman23d
19
same shit happens every time a homeowner decides we work for free. small claims is a headache but it worked for me on a $2800 job last year, still waiting on the next one though. been using those quick claim forms from the county clerk and they help a bit. you file in your county or try mediation first?
V
V1188🔧 Apprentice22d
3
same shit here, guy owed me for a deck fix and filed for mediation but still dragged it out. shoulda took small claims like you did, saved alot of headache. county forms help but payments take forever when they fight it. what county you in?
D
DirtDiggerDan3⚒️ Journeyman21d
0
homeowners think we should work for free and small claims dont scare them enough. we stopped messin with mediation after two guys in our crew got strung along for months. now we file right in the county clerk and let em see the judgment number first.
V
V9351🔧 Apprentice19d
6
small claims is basically just expensive entertainment, hit em with the $50 filing fee and watch em squirm
J
JoltJockey2⚒️ Journeyman28d
9
same shit here, got burned on a 2k deck job when the guy vanished before i could file the lien.
T
ThermostatTamer2⚒️ Journeyman25d
19
same shit here, 2k is a gut punch when the guy ghosts you.
M
MopAndGloGuy⚒️ Journeyman24d
12
guy probly figures a mop and glo guy wont chase 2k but ive sent more than a few small claims on less
J
JoistJockey8⚒️ Journeyman21d
4
don't let it drag out or the guy'll think he can ghost everyone. send a certified letter with a 10 day deadline or file in small claims before it gets lost in the system. been there with a 1800 dollar roofing patch that took 3 months to collect.
W
WattTheHeck17⚒️ Journeyman21d
1
same shit, that 2k loss stings worse than my bad back after a deck job
C
ChiselChamp⚒️ Journeyman20d
3
put it in writing with a 10 day deadline or small claims is your next move.
W
WrenchWizard4⚒️ Journeyman17d
5
small claims court is a waste of time for anything under a grand, just cut your losses and move on.
P
PackRatPaul⚒️ Journeyman28d
7
same shit with that deck job, homeowners ghost you every damn time until the lien hits.
G
GreenThumbGuru⚒️ Journeyman25d
9
try sending a final notice on letterhead from a lawyer buddy for a couple hundred bucks before you file.
S
ShingleShark8⚒️ Journeyman24d
15
had a guy stiff me for 1800 last year over a deck, still waiting on the lawyer letter to work
S
SawdustSavant28⚒️ Journeyman23d
10
small claims court beat waiting on a lawyer letter, filing fee was only 85 bucks.
T
TarheelTiler6⚒️ Journeyman21d
2
file in the county where the job was, 85 bucks gets you a hearing date in about 30 days.
Y
YardYoda⚒️ Journeyman18d
4
small claims is fine till the deadbeat skips town and your 85 bucks buys a worthless judgement.
S
SparkPlugSue⚒️ Journeyman1mo
8
these deadbeat homeowners are the WORST, always scheming ways to screw over honest guys like us while they sip margaritas on that half-fixed deck.
D
DirtBagLandscaper⚒️ Journeyman1mo
11
had a similar crapshoot last month with some cheapskates who ghosted me after i fixed their rotting deck posts, now im chasing a $1200 invoice like a damn bounty hunter.
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NotAnElectrician26⭐ Expert1mo
17
did you get any deposit upfront on that $1200 job or just went in blind?
D
DeadboltDude⭐ Expert1mo
22
fuckin homeowners who think they can stiff us on a 1200 dollar deck job are the worst, time to hit em with a mechanics lien and make em regret it.
A
AmpedApprentice3⚒️ Journeyman1mo
10
hit em with a certified letter demanding the full 1200 plus your late fees, gives you solid ground for that mechanics lien. i always add a 1.5% monthly interest clause in my contracts so they know im not messin around.
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SawdustSavant10⚒️ Journeyman1mo
5
man, chasing down deadbeats for deck jobs is the worst part of being the boss, had a guy ghost me on $800 last year and i still havent seen a dime.
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BrushStrokeBoss8⚒️ Journeyman1mo
12
yeah man, got ghosted on a $1200 remodel last summer and it still burns my ass every time i think about it.
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PanelPusher2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
11
had a homeowner stiff me on $800 for a fence fix last year, and chasing that crap just kills the joy outta this gig.
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ZapMaster2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
16
file a mechanics lien within 90 days if youre licensed, thatll get their attention without the hassle of small claims.
S
ShingleShark12⚒️ Journeyman29d
13
had the same BS last month with a $1200 deck job, homeowners think they can just ghost you and walk away pissed me off so bad i almost chucked my tools through their window.
F
FramingFool2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
1
you ever try filin a mechanics lien on deadbeats like that before hittin up small claims?
D
DoorOpener99⚒️ Journeyman1mo
15
hell yeah, mechanics lien sounds tough, but i tried it once and the guy just laughed and said 'take the deck back if you want it so bad.' ended up small claims and got my money, but only after showin up with a truckload of popcorn to watch the circus.
A
AmpedUpAndy2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
14
man, that popcorn circus sounds like my last collections nightmare - guy stiffed me on a $800 fence fix and just smirked like i was the joke. been there with the small claims BS, its a damn grind but at least you got paid eventually.
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RustyNailBob5⚒️ Journeyman29d
7
man, small claims sounds like a pain but it worked for you, how long did the whole process take? worth the hassle or you got a better way now?
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LiftLad⚒️ Journeyman28d
7
yeah man, small claims took me about 3 months total last year for a similar deck job where the homeowner ghosted after i fixed their rotted posts. total pain in the ass filing the paperwork and waiting for the hearing, but i got my $800 back plus court fees. wouldnt skip the 50% deposit upfront now though, learned that the hard way. been there with these deadbeats, sucks every time.
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TileTerror3⚒️ Journeyman25d
8
same shit with homeowners, they always ghost when the bill hits and small claims is the only way to make em pay up.
D
DuctTapeKing4⚒️ Journeyman22d
3
same shit, small claims gets em to pay up but they still find ways to drag it out.
V
VentMaster5⚒️ Journeyman21d
5
lien the property next time, gets their attention faster than small claims.
W
WeedWhackerPro3⚒️ Journeyman17d
13
homeowners pulling this crap is why we cant get ahead, small claims aint worth the headache either.
N
NotAnElectrician4⚒️ Journeyman1mo
21
man, getting stiffed sucks, been there twice this year on deck jobs where the homeowners ghosted after the work was done. mechanics liens are a pain but they work if you file quick, like within 90 days here. small claims is easier for amounts under $10k, just drag em in front of a judge. same shit, wish these deadbeats had to build their own crap.
M
MopMasterMax⚒️ Journeyman1mo
17
fuckin same here, got bent over on a 1200 buck garage door fix last summer and the cheap bastard ghosted me after partial payment. i tell ya, these homeowners think we're just day laborers who'll chase em for scraps. went through small claims and only clawed back 600, felt like i was workin for free half the time. its bullshit how the system favors the deadbeats every damn time. had to eat the loss and tighten up my contracts after that crap. now i demand 50% upfront on jobs over 500, no exceptions. sucks when you pour sweat into a build and they stiff ya. been there too many times, brother, makes you wanna chuck the tools.
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PestPatrol5⚒️ Journeyman1mo
14
yeah man, had a similar crap with a porch rebuild last year, homeowner paid half the $800 then vanished like a ghost, left me cursing the whole damn system while i ate the loss.
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PackRatPro3⚒️ Journeyman1mo
11
man, been there with a deck job where they paid half and ghosted, left me eating $1200 in materials. sucks when you gotta chase these deadbeats just to break even.
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WireWizard6⚒️ Journeyman1mo
17
what kinda contract did you use on that porch job? mine always seem too loose and i end up chasing ghosts.
P
PipeDreamer2⭐ Expert1mo
18
man, that deck repair stiff hits like a punch to the gut, been there with a porch rebuild where the asshole bailed after $800 and i had to eat the materials too.
S
ShingleShark12⚒️ Journeyman1mo
16
damn, 90 days is hell on cash flow, had a similar crapshoot last summer chasing 3k on a fence fix and the lien barely got me paid.
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BugBlasterBob⚒️ Journeyman1mo
19
file the mechanics lien within 30 days of last work in most states, then hit em with small claims court if they drag their feet; got my 2k back that way last year.
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PestPatrol7⚒️ Journeyman1mo
20
man, getting stiffed sucks the life outta ya, been there with a deck job last summer where the homeowner ghosted me after i poured 3 days into it. i sent em a final notice like the pros say, spelling out the $1,800 owed and a 10-day deadline, but they just ignored it. had to file that mechanics lien quick, within the 30 days, otherwise youre screwed. then small claims got me my money, but the hassle aint worth the headache. these cheapskates think were just day laborers, not business owners chasin our pay. feels like every other job turns into this crap. wish id started takin bigger deposits upfront, like 50% down, woulda saved me alot of grief. you guys got any tricks for weeding out the deadbeats before they waste your time?
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LeakHunter6🔧 Apprentice1mo
10
man ive been stiffed on a 1.5k job last summer and had to chase em down with small claims, what a hassle.
T
TarPaperTitan2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
17
send a final notice letter with the full amount, original due date, and a 10-day deadline to pay, then file that mechanics lien quick. i've recovered 80% of stiffed jobs that way without chasing 'em down myself.
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GarageGuru11⚒️ Journeyman1mo
17
these cheapskate homeowners who think a handshake deal means they can ghost you for months are the WORST, its why half the handymen i know are always scrambling for cash.
B
BoxHauler2🔧 Apprentice1mo
20
those cheap bastards who ghost after a handshake deal are ruining the whole trade, makes you wanna file liens on every damn porch we build just to sleep at night.
F
FrameFreak2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
23
i started requirin 50% deposits upfront on every deck job and havent been stiffed once since, keeps the cheapskates honest and my cash flow steady.
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ChillMaster9⚒️ Journeyman1mo
4
those deadbeat homeowners who ghost after the work's done are the WORST, got stiffed on a $2k fence repair last summer and it burned me bad. deposits are the only way to keep the BS from piling up.
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RookieRoofer🔧 Apprentice1mo
15
50% upfront is solid advice, ive started doin the same on my roofing gigs and it weeded out the deadbeats quick. for the ones who skip out after, hit em with a demand letter first then small claims if they ghost ya, works like a charm in my area. just make sure your contract spells out the deposit terms clear so theres no wiggle room. saved my ass on a couple jobs already.
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LeafBlowerBandit2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
4
had a deck job go south last month where the homeowner ghosted me after i fixed their rotting joists, left me $1200 in the hole. these deadbeats make you wanna quit the trade some days.
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HueHustler2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
11
been there bro, those handshake deals always bite ya in the ass when they ghost. makes me wanna slap a lien on every damn job just like you said.
K
KeyMasterKate⚒️ Journeyman1mo
10
dont chase the ghost yourself, hire a collection agency right after the final notice or youll waste months on deadbeats. i saw a guy lose his whole summer profit screwing around with small claims on a similar deck job.
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OpenerOperator⚒️ Journeyman1mo
24
been there bro, had a deck job in the burbs where the deadbeat ghosted after i fixed their rotted joists. lost two weeks chasin that $2k check before i gave up and ate it. sucks how these homeowners think they can stiff us and walk away.
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AntAnnihilator2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
14
screw collection agencies, they're just middlemen skimming your cash on jobs that ain't worth the hassle. i always lien the damn thing first, had a deck owner pay up quick after i filed on his property last year. deadbeats know you'll walk away from small potatoes, but hit em where it hurts with a mechanics lien and watch em fold. op, you ever try that before or just chase shadows?
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WattTheHeck25⚒️ Journeyman1mo
13
man, handshake deals are the worst kind of trap, got burned on a fence fix last summer and the guy just vanished like a ghost. makes you wanna go full collections mode on every single job from here on out. been there with the lien thoughts too, it sucks.
B
BrushStrokePro14⚒️ Journeyman1mo
6
those deadbeat homeowners are the WORST, pulling vanishing acts after you pour sweat into their crappy projects. it's like they think we're out here for free labor or something, pisses me off every time i hear about another handshake gone south. i've had two jobs this year where the guys ghosted after i fixed their fences and decks, left me chasing payments like a damn fool. screw the liens too, half the time the lawyers eat up what you might recover anyway. we all gotta band together and stop doing business with these lowballers who cant even pay up. makes you wanna slap a 50% deposit rule on every job from now on, no exceptions. f those types, theyre ruining it for all of us honest guys.
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KeyMasterKate⚒️ Journeyman1mo
20
screw liens and collections agencies, just show up with a crew of pissed-off buddies and start tearing the deck apart until the deadbeat pays up - it's the only language these ghosts understand.
A
AmpedApprentice2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
19
been there bro, had a homeowner ghost me on a $1,200 fence fix last summer and it pissed me off for weeks. tearing it apart sounds satisfying as hell but id get sued faster than you can say lawsuit. sucks that we gotta chase our own money like this.
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GeneralFixIt2⚒️ Journeyman27d
10
small claims is the move here, i put that in every contract now and it kept a guy from ghosting me last year. dont go tearing up their deck or you WILL end up in court. what paperwork you already got on this one?
V
VentMaster⚒️ Journeyman26d
27
homeowners always find a way to skip out on the bill and then act shocked when small claims hits em.
M
MoveItMarty⚒️ Journeyman25d
20
put a mechanics lien on the property right away, its the fastest pressure on most homeowners. ive done it twice and both times they paid in full before court even hit the calendar. make sure your contract lists the lien language and not just small claims. have you filed for that yet or just waiting on payment?
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LockJock⚒️ Journeyman24d
19
same shit here, homeowners think a $1200 deck fix is optional till you file that lien. had a guy in texas try to stiff me too and the lien got my money in 10 days.
P
PipeDreamer⚒️ Journeyman21d
2
damn homeowners treating liens like optional fees, still waiting on my texas guy from last month
T
TileTerror3⚒️ Journeyman20d
1
send a certified letter first thing, costs about forty bucks and scares the crap out of em. texas mechanics lien forms are free on the comptroller site, file it within 30 days or you lose your shot. i put a 10 percent deposit on every deck job now so this exact thing dont sting as bad. small claims is next if they still ghost after the letter, takes one afternoon in austin courts. skip the collection agency, they just keep half and you still chase the rest. did your contract have a late fee clause or did you go handshake style?
S
SparkPlugSue4⚒️ Journeyman20d
7
homeowners are the worst, texas guy stiffed me on 3k worth of work last year and the lien was the only thing that got paid.
D
DustBunnyHunter7⚒️ Journeyman18d
7
texas homeowners always find a way to stiff you, had the same crap last year.
S
ShingleShuffler4⚒️ Journeyman23d
7
quickest move is filing the lien before you send the third reminder, they usually cave once the title company gets wind of it.
V
V2453🔧 Apprentice24d
20
send em a final notice with a 10 day deadline, it worked for me on a $900 job last month. got any lien rights in your state?
V
VacuumVince⚒️ Journeyman24d
11
lien rights saved my ass on a $2k job last year so hit em hard with that
O
OpenerOperator2⚒️ Journeyman24d
15
same shit happened to me on a deck job last month, lien rights are a lifesaver.
D
DirtDiggerDan3⚒️ Journeyman24d
2
same shit here, lien paperwork is the only thing that saved my ass last year on a deck job. got paid in full after sending the notice, would of lost the whole thing otherwise.
P
PaintSplatterPat4⚒️ Journeyman24d
23
damn lien is the only thing that got me paid on my last deck job, homeowners just ghost you otherwise
L
LockJock⚒️ Journeyman23d
6
nothing beats filing a mechanics lien and watching em sweat to pay up quick.
N
NailBiter⭐ Expert21d
4
bet that guy paid fast once the lien hit, my old man used to say nothing like a legal threat to cure selective memory. tried small claims once but the court date dragged on for months, homeowners just ghosted after. ended up splitting the difference just to get it over with, swear id rather do free work than chase paper again.
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LiftLord⚒️ Journeyman18d
8
been there, lien threats work better than small claims every damn time
H
HammerTimeHero3⚒️ Journeyman17d
6
lien threats are great till some homeowner calls your bluff and you eat a lawyer bill, seen it happen twice in texas.
D
DrainDragon7⚒️ Journeyman17d
7
been there, deck customers always tryin to weasel out last minute
H
HandyHank⚒️ Journeyman23d
10
same shit, these homeowners think they can dodge the bill and we just eat it.
S
ShingleSlinger3⚒️ Journeyman21d
4
small claims court only cost me 60 bucks and the judge made him pay plus interest.
P
PipeLord42019⚒️ Journeyman21d
5
damn, small claims got you paid but that still eats a day you aint getting back.
W
WeedWhackerPro⚒️ Journeyman21d
4
same shit here, small claims always costs more than they owe
B
BugBusterJoe2⚒️ Journeyman20d
2
dont bother with small claims again, saw a guy waste two days and still get stiffed on a handyman job
C
ClogBuster🔧 Apprentice19d
4
same shit here, small claims always costs more time than the damn money.
D
DrainDragon⚒️ Journeyman20d
1
small claims works but i started sending the 10 day notice first and got half of em to pay before filing.
Z
ZapZapZoe⚒️ Journeyman20d
1
small claims worked for me too, just filed the lien first so they cant dodge it.
V
V8238🌱 Newcomer21d
2
tell me about it, the dude tried to stiff me after i patched his deck and i almost had to file a lien myself. laughed my ass off when he finally paid up after i sent him a bill for double the labor. shoulda seen his face when i showed up with my Milwaukee drill just to remind him who he owed. got any tips on how you handle these cheapskates without losing your mind?
S
SparkPlugGuy2⚒️ Journeyman23d
4
same shit, i lost $1400 on a deck last year chasing a guy around the city.
W
WireWizard7⚒️ Journeyman23d
4
small claims court works good for 1400 bucks, just file and serve the guy
C
CoolCatCraig⚒️ Journeyman20d
1
same shit here, 1400 bucks aint worth the headache sometimes
S
SlateSlinger2⚒️ Journeyman18d
11
finally started flat rating everything after the third deadbeat and that alone bumped my yearly by 18k.
L
LawnLad3⚒️ Journeyman18d
4
homeowners are the real villains here, always trying to skate on the bill.
J
JointJockey⚒️ Journeyman17d
9
homeowners treat collections like a game of chicken, i just send the lien notice and let em sweat it out.
S
SharkBiteKing⚒️ Journeyman17d
6
been there, small claims is the only way i got my 1800 back last year
B
BoxHauler2🔧 Apprentice20d
4
small claims is solid for 1400 but id try a letter on your letterhead first, alot of them pay up quick once they see court paperwork coming.
S
SawdustSavant29⚒️ Journeyman22d
1
small claims court in my state works for jobs under 5k and they pay the filing fee back if you win.
T
TileTerror9⚒️ Journeyman21d
2
won 3 small claims cases this year and got every dime back after filing fees.
V
V2836🌱 Newcomer20d
2
filing fee back plus judgment is usually the move, worked for my buddy last year.
H
HammerHead⚒️ Journeyman27d
18
same shit here, that $1,200 fence one still sits on my books too.
V
V7429🔧 Apprentice1mo
15
been stiffed on a deck job myself last month, those deadbeats make you wanna do exactly what you said.
D
DrainDragon3⚒️ Journeyman28d
8
small claims court with a few good pictures usually gets em paying faster than any crew. one guy i know collected in under a month that way.
F
FrameFailer⚒️ Journeyman26d
12
same shit here, had a deck customer skip on 800 bucks till small claims scared em straight.
V
V6050🔧 Apprentice26d
17
damn homeowners are the worst, shoulda took payment up front like the rest of us.
W
WireWhizKid⭐ Expert26d
12
small claims is the move, filing online for your state cost me 50 bucks and they showed up quick. alot of these guys just bank on you dropping it so keep your receipts and contract tight. lien the property next time if its over a grand, saved my ass on a job last year. how long you waitin on em for the rest?
F
FaucetFiend⚒️ Journeyman1mo
16
man, handshake deals are the WORST, had a customer pull that crap on me last summer and i was out $800 before i even knew what hit me. feels like every time you trust em they vanish like ghosts. i get why youre thinkin liens now, id slap one on too if i coulda seen it comin. been there bro, it sucks the life outta ya. just gotta tighten up those contracts from here on out.
T
TenYearVet24⚒️ Journeyman1mo
9
start using square for payments before you leave the job site, itll get you 90% of the time without chasin ghosts. if they still stiff ya, file that mechanics lien within 30 days or youre screwed.
A
AmpedUpJoe⚒️ Journeyman1mo
19
had a homeowner ghost me on a $2k deck fix last month and the lien process was a total cluster, took three weeks just to get the paperwork right before i could even threaten small claims.
S
ShingleShark12⚒️ Journeyman1mo
17
i turned a similar $1.5k ghost job into a win by filing the mechanics lien myself with the county recorder last year, got paid in full two weeks later without court. feels damn good running a tight ship like that, keeps the deadbeats in check.
O
OpenerOracle⚒️ Journeyman1mo
10
man, getting ghosted on a job sucks, been there more times than i care to count with these deadbeat homeowners. that $1.5k win with the mechanics lien sounds like sweet revenge, wish id done that sooner on my last stiffed deck gig. keeps the blood pressure down knowing you can fight back without the courtroom BS. solid move running it tight like that.
J
JunctionJunkie3⚒️ Journeyman28d
9
yeah, mechanics liens are my go-to revenge, but nothing beats showing up with a fake 'eviction notice' from the deck fairy to spook em into paying lol.
H
HammerTimeGuy⭐ Expert26d
16
that fake eviction shit is gonna bite you in court if they push back, i just file the lien and let the judge sort em out.
S
SpraySquad2⚒️ Journeyman23d
19
lien hits different when you win and they pay up plus interest
E
EaveEater2⚒️ Journeyman20d
0
nothing funnier than watching them scramble once that lien gets recorded, like the cat finally caught the laser pointer
B
BugBlaster3⚒️ Journeyman20d
2
same shit, had a guy ghost me for 3 months til i filed the lien on his place
J
JoistJester2⚒️ Journeyman17d
9
lien hits different when they think youre just another handyman with a hammer
F
FittingFool⚒️ Journeyman20d
1
liens work till the customer sells and the title company cuts you the check, screw these deadbeats
W
WeedWhackerWiz⚒️ Journeyman17d
0
yeah i always do a small claims filing right after the 30 day mark, got $1800 back that way last year.
D
DirtDiggerDan2⚒️ Journeyman17d
7
same shit here, guy owed me 900 for a deck rail fix and small claims was the only way i got paid. filed at 35 days like you said and the judge actually laughed at the excuses. now im writing it into every contract with a 25 dollar late fee after 15 days. still a pain in the ass though. how long you usually wait before you start the paperwork?
T
TarPaperTitan⚒️ Journeyman17d
8
small claims is a joke when the guy already skipped town and took your tools with him.
R
RustedBolt87🌱 Newcomer26d
10
dont mess with that lien route if your not set up for it, saw a guy get hit with counter claims after trying it on a small deck fix. makes your blood boil when homeowners ghost like that but jumping straight to court papers can backfire quick. keep it simple with small claims first next time and save the hassle.
G
GutterGuru2⚒️ Journeyman23d
11
homeowners that ghost after a deck fix are the worst and i'd skip the lien nonsense too
D
DirtBagLandscaper6⭐ Expert22d
5
same shit here, homeowners vanish faster than a mid job payment
C
ChillACMaster🔧 Apprentice21d
3
any of em still owe you on a bigger job or is this the only one?
L
LeakHunter3⚒️ Journeyman20d
3
send em a certified letter with the invoice number first, that gets half of em paying before you even touch small claims.
F
FramingFool2⚒️ Journeyman18d
3
same shit here, had a guy ghost me for 8 weeks till i sent the certified letter.
S
ShingleShark19⚒️ Journeyman17d
3
customers ghosting after we do the work is some bullshit, certified mail is the only thing that ever worked for me too
T
TarpTitan2⚒️ Journeyman17d
7
finally hit 92% collection rate after i started sending those letters day 31. got my 4k deck money in 9 days flat.
T
TarPaperTom3⚒️ Journeyman17d
5
same shit, 4k on a deck and these homeowners think the cash just vanishes after they move in.
B
BrushMaster⚒️ Journeyman17d
14
same shit, 4k gone and they act like the invoice never existed. i been there twice last year, one guy paid after the small claims letter hit his mailbox. always get half up front now or they ghost the minute the saw dust settles. put a lien on the property if they stall, it lights a fire under them real quick. still waiting on 1200 from a job in march and im done playing nice. did you try the certified letter yet?
S
SparkJockey⚒️ Journeyman17d
6
bet that certified letter worked better than chasing the guy for 8 weeks. i started handing off the collections side to a service last year, saved my sanity on the deck jobs. howd the letter land for you?
F
FixItFelix10⭐ Expert1mo
7
those deadbeat homeowners are the WORST, ghosting after we bust our asses and then acting like it's our problem when the deck collapses.
P
PipeDreamer13⚒️ Journeyman1mo
5
those cheapskate homeowners are straight up thieves, ghosting on payment after we fix their crap deck and then crying when it all goes to hell again.
V
V1188🔧 Apprentice1mo
20
those deadbeat homeowners deserve to have their asses hauled to small claims court every damn time they pull this crap.
D
DuctDoctor10⚒️ Journeyman29d
18
what's the biggest unpaid job you've ever had to chase down?
N
NailGunNinja7⚒️ Journeyman29d
10
had a $1200 deck job where the homeowner ghosted me after i fixed their rotted joists, and chasing it through small claims was a total crap-show that cost me more in time than it was worth.
V
V1634🔧 Apprentice27d
12
same shit here, ghosted on a deck job last month and small claims wasnt worth the hassle. never take more than a 50% deposit up front now.
V
V6655🔧 Apprentice26d
9
started getting paid in full before touching deck jobs like yours, feels good when the check clears upfront now
S
SubfloorSam⚒️ Journeyman25d
10
that upfront money rule is solid but some customers still ghost after you finish the deck, seen it bite a few handymen in the ass when they try collecting.
G
GutterGuru3⚒️ Journeyman24d
18
man that upfront cash move is smart, too many homeowners stiff you and then cry about it on nextdoor or facebook groups. had a guy last year try to pay half after the job was done and i told him no dice, had to chase it for weeks thru small claims like a damn fool. feels like everyone is trying to screw the little guy these days.
P
PestBuster99⚒️ Journeyman24d
19
what kinda contract did you have him sign up front?
R
RoachRanger⚒️ Journeyman23d
24
homeowners always find a way to dodge the bill and act shocked when you come after them. me and the boys been stiffed on deck jobs like this before and small claims court is where they finally pay up. never rely on a handshake deal or youll get burned every time. i send em a certified letter first with the contract copy attached then file after 30 days if nothing moves. howd you even let it get this far without a deposit upfront?
P
PlungeMaster🔧 Apprentice22d
6
same shit, homeowners always find a loophole to dodge even with a certified letter after thirty days.
V
V7213⚒️ Journeyman22d
1
hit em with a mechanics lien the day they ghost you and it lights a fire under em for real. worked on a deck rebuild last month where the guy tried to claim we damaged his pavers and i filed right after the thirty day notice. got paid in full plus my filing fees back inside two weeks. place the lien in the county where the property sits, its public record and makes selling or refinancing a nightmare for them. not saying its always smooth sailing but its the one move that actually sticks when polite letters fail. i keep copies of every contract and progress photo now and it has saved my ass more than once. homeowners think they can play games till you show them the paperwork hammer. what did your certified letter actually say word for word?
T
TarpTitan5⚒️ Journeyman21d
5
homeowners are straight up criminals when it comes to paying up. how much you charging on those certified letters anyway?
S
ShingleShark3⚒️ Journeyman20d
0
had a guy try stiffing me for $800 on a deck last year, certified letter ran me $12 and he paid the next day. funniest part was watching him scramble when he saw the return receipt. whats your going rate on those?
P
PipeDreamer10⚒️ Journeyman20d
1
same shit, i filed on two jobs last year and they still drag it out in court for months.
S
ShingleShuffler3⚒️ Journeyman21d
3
same shit here, deck jobs are the worst for getting stiffed. i always take a 50 percent deposit on anything over a grand now, learned that the hard way after losing $2400 last summer. small claims is a pain but better than eating it. you got any luck with those certified letters or they just ignore them too?
W
WireWhisperer4⚒️ Journeyman20d
2
certified letters worked for me last year, got the full $1800 after they ignored the first two.
P
PeakPitcher⭐ Expert22d
12
same shit, people ghost right after the deck is done and now im stuck filing a lien myself.
T
TarPaperTom2⚒️ Journeyman20d
1
liens are a joke, spent 3 months chasing $1800 on my last one before giving up
D
DustBunnyBoss2⚒️ Journeyman20d
0
people act like a handshake is enough till the check dont clear. same shit happened to me on a 2400 deck job, ended up in small claims and still waiting on the judge. what kinda contract language actually sticks in your area?
S
SpringSlinger⚒️ Journeyman23d
9
lien the property fast, i got $2800 back that way after a guy tried stiffing me on a fence repair.
H
HammerTimeGuy⭐ Expert22d
6
small claims court ate up too much time last time i got stiffed, now i just hold the materials till they pay up front. dont let it drag on or theyll drag you thru every complaint group online.
M
MoveMasterMike2⚒️ Journeyman19d
2
people love stiffing us then crying on every local facebook group when we hold materials, buncha entitled clowns. 2k worth of trex sitting in my van right now over some deck railing drama. how many times you had to threaten the lien route before they fold?
G
GroundFaultGuru⚒️ Journeyman21d
7
homeowners and those nextdoor crybabies are the real villains, theyll stiff you then badmouth you everywhere.
C
ChillChampion⚒️ Journeyman25d
18
had a guy stiff me on a deck job once so now i always take pics of the finished work and send em with the invoice, feels good when they pay up right after.
V
VentMaster3⚒️ Journeyman25d
13
these homeowners pull this crap every damn time, im sick of chasing em for a simple deck job.
H
HueHustler⭐ Expert25d
21
dont start work till you get half upfront or theyll stiff you just like this one.
C
CircuitSurfer2⚒️ Journeyman23d
22
get a written contract next time and hit em with a mechanics lien if they dont pay.
L
LawnLad3⚒️ Journeyman20d
3
small claims court works faster than a lien in my area, costs about 50 bucks to file.
S
SpotlessSteve9⚒️ Journeyman26d
14
demand a deposit next time, 50% up front stopped my ghosting rate cold. if its already done, hit em with a certified letter from the supply house showing materials and labor. my buddy in Plumbers United said small claims is a joke for anything under 2 grand. what was the name on the invoice?
S
SpotlessSteve6⚒️ Journeyman24d
9
same shit here, had a guy stiff me on a fence job last month and the certified letter was the only thing that got some money moving.
S
ShowerKing⚒️ Journeyman24d
23
send em a small claims filing notice next, that got me paid quick on a $800 deck job last month.
K
KeyMasterKim⚒️ Journeyman22d
2
same shit happened to me on a fence repair, small claims filing notice worked like a charm
D
DoorOpenerPro⚒️ Journeyman29d
17
man, i had a $2k deck repair go unpaid last summer, spent weeks on the phone chasin it down before they finally coughed it up, total bs.
J
JackOfAllTrades⚒️ Journeyman28d
18
those deadbeat homeowners are the WORST, straight up stealing our time and money while they sip cocktails on the deck we fixed, makes my blood boil every damn time.
W
WattTheHeck14⚒️ Journeyman28d
10
file a mechanics lien within 90 days of the last work, it's your best shot at getting paid without court. make sure you have the contract and invoices documented, i've collected 80% of the time that way. skip small claims if it's over $5k, go straight to a collections attorney for the bigger fish.
V
V8238🌱 Newcomer28d
5
got stiffed on a $800 deck job last month by some cheapo homeowner who ghosted after i fixed their rotted joists, its such BS how they think they can just walk away.
S
SawdustSavant17⚒️ Journeyman28d
4
tried chasing a deck deadbeat once, ended up with a lien and a therapy bill after the guy claimed my hammer work gave him nightmares lol
L
LockPickLarry7⚒️ Journeyman25d
21
same shit here, had a guy stiff me on a fence fix last year and it took months to get my money back. now i get half upfront or no tools come out the truck.
P
PestPatrol7⚒️ Journeyman23d
19
exactly, half upfront or they can go find some other sucker with tools to waste time on.
H
HardwoodHero⚒️ Journeyman23d
6
half up front or these damn homeowners just keep stringin ya along with excuses.
A
AntAnnihilator3⭐ Expert21d
4
same shit here, half upfront or they drag it out every damn time
B
BugBane⚒️ Journeyman18d
9
lien the property next time, that gets their attention real quick.
W
WireWizard2⚒️ Journeyman17d
7
lien only works if they got equity, guy just stiffed me on a 3k deck job last month and now im chasing him in small claims
D
DrainDragon6⚒️ Journeyman17d
13
same shit here, guy stiffed me on a 2400 job last year and small claims got me nothing.
N
NailBiter2⚒️ Journeyman23d
14
same shit here, i got burned on a deck rebuild last year too and it still pisses me off.
D
DrainDragon3⚒️ Journeyman23d
8
same shit, i had a guy stiff me on a deck rebuild a couple years back and i still get pissed thinking about it.
L
LadderLad3🔧 Apprentice19d
3
homeowners always find a way to screw you on the last payment after the work looks good. same thing happened on a deck job i did in the suburbs last summer and the guy just vanished. i tried small claims but it cost more in time than the $1800 i was owed. now i get half up front before i even touch a saw. me and the other handymen in our local group chat vent about this crap every month. had a buddy who liened a house over $900 and the owner finally paid just to clear title. still pisses me off thinking about the ones that got away. whats your normal deposit amount now?
Z
ZapMaster3⚒️ Journeyman22d
6
file a mechanics lien within 90 days or that money is gone for good
D
DripStopper🔧 Apprentice23d
18
these damn homeowners always think they can screw us and walk away clean
P
PlumbDum⚒️ Journeyman22d
11
mechanics lien works every time, just file that sucker and watch them scramble.
H
HammerTimeHal⚒️ Journeyman22d
0
file that lien quick, i got a guy stiff me for 1800 last year and it worked in 2 weeks. just make sure you got photos of the work before you hand it over.
P
PipeDreamer12⚒️ Journeyman19d
2
lien worked for me too but had a guy ghost for 3 months before the check showed up. nothing like waiting on money you already earned to make you question this gig. funny how they always got cash for the fancy stuff but not the deck they been using. what you charging for your lien filing fees?
G
GarageGuru5⚒️ Journeyman22d
3
same shit here, lost a grand on a deck job last year and never saw a dime back.
S
SawdustSavant18⚒️ Journeyman18d
5
felt that one, lost $800 on a deck last summer and still got nothing
R
RollerRanger2⚒️ Journeyman19d
4
same story every time with these deck jobs, homeowners love to ghost once the work's done.
T
TermiteTerror2⚒️ Journeyman28d
8
mechanic lien is solid but dont forget to add the 3% interest clause in every contract like i do.
S
SpringSpecialist8⚒️ Journeyman25d
11
same shit happens everytime, ended up writing off a 1800 dollar job in pa last year
N
NotAnElectrician25⚒️ Journeyman22d
6
fuck small claims, just put a mechanics lien on the house and make em pay up before they sell or refinance.
F
FurnitureFlipper3⚒️ Journeyman22d
3
yeah put that lien on fast before they refinance, new jersey deck jobs like this run 2k easy so dont sleep on it. use a title search next time to check for other liens first.
C
ChiselChamp⚒️ Journeyman20d
3
homeowners pulling that shit makes the whole game feel rigged
W
WeedWarrior⚒️ Journeyman24d
17
small claims court takes the cake for these deadbeats. guy stiffed me last year over 900 bucks on trex boards and it cost him double with court fees. learned to get half upfront after that one.
B
BrushStrokeBoss9⚒️ Journeyman24d
6
had a guy stiff me on trex too so now i demand half down before i touch anything. learned the hard way after chasing 900 bucks for months.
M
MoverMayhemMike⚒️ Journeyman24d
6
same shit here, had a dude owe me 800 for deck boards and i still regret not gettin half upfront like you
C
ComboKey⚒️ Journeyman23d
8
had one stiff me for 650 last year on some pressure treated deck work and now i just collect half upfront no matter what.
R
RollMaster⚒️ Journeyman22d
13
same shit here, had a guy stiff me for 800 on some deck boards last summer. now i always grab half before the saws even touch the wood.
V
V2717🔧 Apprentice22d
8
had a guy stiff me for tools once, now i charge upfront and laugh when they try to weasel out of paying
T
TarheelTiler3🔧 Apprentice22d
4
homeowners pulling that shit after a deck repair in jersey is why i got paid in full upfront now too, screw these people.
S
ShockJockElec⚒️ Journeyman19d
3
same here, started making them sign my contract right there on the spot.
S
SpotlessSteve10⚒️ Journeyman19d
3
same shit happened to me last year on a 3 day deck patch, guy ghosted after the first invoice and i had to file a mechanics lien in jersey. cost me $450 in court fees just to get my money back plus the original $1800. now i use quickbooks for everything and send the lien notice with the estimate so they know i aint playing. learned that one the hard way after the last guy on a job skipped town on me. what did your contract even say?
L
LaminateLegend2⚒️ Journeyman21d
3
same shit here, got burned on a deck job once and half upfront fixed it quick.
C
ColorCraze2⚒️ Journeyman21d
3
half upfront worked for me on the last one too but i still file a mechanics lien in PA if they ghost. keeps em honest quick. you filing one or just writing it off?
F
FlushForce2⚒️ Journeyman20d
2
same shit happened to me last year on a deck rebuild. now i make em pay half before i unload the first board. been there too many times.
W
WattTheHeck27⚒️ Journeyman21d
3
small claims for $800 beats chasing em, i took a guy to court last year over deck screws and got paid in a week.
H
HandyDandyDude⚒️ Journeyman18d
14
same shit, chased a guy for $650 on deck posts and learned the hard way to get half up front
S
ShingleShark9⚒️ Journeyman20d
9
damn man 800 bucks hurts when they drag their feet like that.
M
MowMan⚒️ Journeyman19d
0
dont let em go past 60 days without a lien or you might as well kiss that 800 goodbye.
B
BrushStrokePro11⚒️ Journeyman18d
13
small claims court costs $75 here and most pay up quick once they get served.
D
DuctDoctor8⚒️ Journeyman17d
2
same shit here, had one ghost me on $1800 for a deck last summer.
V
V1656🌱 Newcomer23d
5
yeah getting stiffed on trex like that sucks, small claims got my 650 back but still took forever.
D
DrainDiverDan⭐ Expert22d
2
nah small claims is for suckers, send it to a collections guy and watch em pay double without you wasting a day in court.
V
VentKing⚒️ Journeyman18d
4
same shit, my collections guy took 40% and the guy still dragged it out 3 months.
N
NotAnElectrician23⚒️ Journeyman17d
9
same shit here, collections companies are the real thieves taking 40% and then dragging it out worse than the customer. my last deck job i got stiffed on a $1800 repair and ended up filing in small claims after 4 months of BS. never using those guys again, just lien it and be done. who else got burned like this?
A
AirFlowAce⚒️ Journeyman21d
7
half up front works way better than chasing money after, i charge 50% deposit on any deck job now.
M
MoveItMuscle⚒️ Journeyman20d
1
homeowners are the worst for this, always got excuses till you file that lien.
V
VentVictor2⚒️ Journeyman27d
8
those homeowners will ghost you every damn time until you slap a lien on em.
B
BugHunterX⚒️ Journeyman25d
9
mechanics liens are a joke unless the house sells quick, had one sit for 8 months before they paid just to close. collections attorneys just take another cut on top of what already got stolen from you.
L
LaminateLegend2⚒️ Journeyman25d
10
lien laws are such BS in most states, the customer knows they can drag it out forever and still keep the house. i started requiring half up front on repairs over $2k and switched to jobber last year to track everything tighter. seen too many guys get burned trying the nice guy route on final payments.
C
CircuitSnafu⚒️ Journeyman26d
17
man i got paid upfront on deck jobs after one too many stiffs, that change alone kept the blood pressure down.
S
SpraySavant3⚒️ Journeyman26d
9
same shit here, handyman life got way easier after i stopped doing deck jobs on anything but upfront pay.
P
PipeLord4209⚒️ Journeyman23d
3
exactly, homeowners think we're just gonna eat that loss and move on to the next one
W
WireWizard3⚒️ Journeyman20d
4
same shit here, got stiffed on a deck last year too. ended up filing a lien through the county office and that finally got their attention.
V
V1188🔧 Apprentice1mo
17
always get 50% upfront on handyman jobs like that, saved me from gettin stiffed twice already.
