Home/Operations/🎨 Painting/Chasing down that deadbeat client who stiffed me on the $4k Sherwin-Williams exterior job
Chasing down that deadbeat client who stiffed me on the $4k Sherwin-Williams exterior job
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BrushStrokeBoss
·3mo·51 replies·33 participants
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BrushStrokeBoss⭐ ExpertOP3mo
55
So I got this one client in the greater Atlanta area who hired me to paint their whole house exterior with Sherwin-Williams Emerald, two coats, all the trim and everything. Finished the job a month ago, sent the invoice for $4,200, and crickets. I've called, texted, even drove by their place - turns out they're dodging me like I owe them money. Saw a similar rant in the Painting Contractors Facebook group last week, guy there said he had to file a small claims for a $3k interior job. Anyone got tips on collections without going full lawyer? I'm using QuickBooks for invoicing but maybe I need better terms upfront. NGL, this crap makes me wanna stick to cash jobs only.
screw these homeowners who think painters work for free, it's the same BS every summer with big jobs like yours.
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DustBunnyBoss⭐ Expert3mo
21
yeah man, been there with a trim job that went south.
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TrackTormentor⚒️ Journeyman3mo
23
lost $2k on a similar dodge last year, still pissed.
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MowMan⚒️ Journeyman3mo
12
exactly, they act like the paint grows on trees.
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AntAnnihilator⭐ Expert3mo
8
put a lien on the house if you can, works wonders.
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NotAnElectrician26⭐ Expert3mo
7
good call, but check your state laws first.
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PipeLord42022⚒️ Journeyman3mo
13
i feel ya, had a guy ghost me after cabinets.
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FixItFelix9⚒️ Journeyman3mo
14
nah, small claims is quick, i won mine in 30 days.
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WrenchWarrior2⚒️ Journeyman3mo
16
same here brother, knee deep in it right now.
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SawdustSavant9⚒️ Journeyman3mo
7
yup, the waiting game sucks.
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FixItFelix6⚒️ Journeyman3mo
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totally, makes you question the whole biz.
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TenYearVet9⭐ Expert3mo
9
stop being nice, send a demand letter with certified mail.
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FixItFelix7⚒️ Journeyman3mo
9
demand letters work half the time, rest go to court.
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FlushForce2⚒️ Journeyman3mo
23
felt that, my back still hurts from hauling unpaid gear.
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BoxBoss⚒️ Journeyman3mo
7
ugh, just had one vanish after the deposit.
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RollerRanger7⚒️ Journeyman3mo
6
hire a collection agency if it's over 2k, they take a cut but get it done.
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DuctTapeDave3⚒️ Journeyman2mo
2
what's your contract say about late payments?
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LawnLordLee⚒️ Journeyman2mo
11
i add 1.5% interest monthly now, keeps em honest.
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SparkleSteve⚒️ Journeyman2mo
11
proud i finally got paid on a 5k job after threatening lien.
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ChillChampion⚒️ Journeyman2mo
7
man, that grind never ends.
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FurnaceFiend⚒️ Journeyman2mo
13
homeowners are the worst, always some excuse.
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VoltageVampire⭐ Expert2mo
8
use service titan for tracking, auto sends reminders.
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KeyMasterMike2⚒️ Journeyman2mo
7
lien em quick, before they sell the house.
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RoofRat883⚒️ Journeyman2mo
9
i hear ya, lost sleep over one last month.
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VentMaster30002🔧 Apprentice2mo
11
frustrated as hell, clients think we're charity.
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JointJuggler2🔧 Apprentice2mo
7
yep, been chasing a 1k balance for weeks.
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VentMasterMike⚒️ Journeyman2mo
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solidarity man, these stories are too common.
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BoxHauler3⭐ Expert2mo
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damn, just dealt with a skip after interior walls.
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LockoutLila⭐ Expert2mo
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we all been burned, hang in there.
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WattTheHeck5⚒️ Journeyman2mo
12
sharktank those deadbeats publicly on nextdoor, scares em straight.
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PaintSplatterPro⭐ Expert2mo
2
how long you giving em before filing?
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FixItFelix7⚒️ Journeyman2mo
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wait, you said Sherwin-Williams, did you get the premium line or what?
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FlushForce2⚒️ Journeyman2mo
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i always get 50% upfront now, no exceptions.
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BoxBoss⚒️ Journeyman2mo
11
quickbooks has a collections module, use it.
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RollerRanger7⚒️ Journeyman2mo
6
add it to your tags next time, 'payment due 15 days net'.
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DuctTapeDave3⚒️ Journeyman2mo
1
what city in atlanta? might know the guy.
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LawnLordLee⚒️ Journeyman2mo
13
file the lien, it's easier than you think.
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SparkleSteve⚒️ Journeyman2mo
12
i turned a bad one into a referral by being firm but fair.
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ChillChampion⚒️ Journeyman2mo
20
sucks, but it builds character lol.
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FurnaceFiend⚒️ Journeyman1mo
9
PE firms buying us out might fix this collections nightmare.
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VoltageVampire⭐ Expert1mo
8
demand letter template online, customize it.
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KeyMasterMike2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
12
these stories make me charge cc only.
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RoofRat883⚒️ Journeyman1mo
12
yeah, the atlanta market is cutthroat with payments.
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VentMaster30002🔧 Apprentice1mo
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collectors take 25%, but better than zero.
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JointJuggler2🔧 Apprentice1mo
20
been there, it aint fun.
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VentMasterMike⚒️ Journeyman1mo
7
group hug for all us chasers.
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BoxHauler3⭐ Expert1mo
12
frustrated, but you'll get it back.
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LockoutLila⭐ Expert1mo
13
one more for the 'screw clients' club.
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WattTheHeck5⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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sharbites for plumbing, but for payments? nah, go legal.
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CleanFreakJoe⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
nailed a similar $3.5k exterior gig with duration emerald last month, got my check before the ladder was down. screw deadbeats, my contracts lock em in tight every time.
