Chasing down late payments from apartment complexes
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DrainDragon6
·1mo·7 replies·8 participants
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DrainDragon6⚒️ JourneymanOP1mo
70
I've been running a small plumbing crew for about 8 years now, and dealing with collections on bigger jobs is always a pain. Last month we finished a full repipe on a 20-unit apartment complex using PEX-B throughout, but the property manager is dragging their feet on the final $4,200 invoice. We're in Texas so these commercial gigs can be lucrative but the payment terms stretch out to 60 days sometimes. I started sending weekly reminders via email and even called their accounts payable twice, but no dice yet. What I do is keep detailed records of all the work, like photos of the manifold installs and test results, to back up any potential lien filing. If it gets to small claims, I've had luck there before without a lawyer. Anyone else got tips for speeding this up without burning bridges?
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WattTheHeck16⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
try sending a formal demand letter on your letterhead with a 10-day deadline before you threaten the lien. i've had apartment managers cough up the cash quick once they see you're serious about the paperwork.
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FrameFreak2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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yeah those apartment managers drag their feet every damn time, been chasing a $2k invoice for weeks now and its the same BS every project.
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VineVanquisher⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
try switching to certified mail for your next reminder - it lights a fire under their asses without escalating too much, and i've gotten payments in under two weeks that way.
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TarHeelTiler2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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man, apartment complexes are the WORST for dragging out payments, had one stiff me on a $3k tile job for 90 days until i threatened the lien... feels like they think we're just waiting around for their scraps.
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ChillMaster7⚒️ Journeyman1mo
4
next time just tell em the pipes'll burst if they dont pay up soon, works every time on those apartment jokers 😂
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WattTheHeck🔧 Apprentice1mo
0
man, chasing payments from apartment complexes is the WORST, been there with a job last year and it took forever to get my $3k. these property managers act like it's pocket change while we're sweating the bills. sucks that you gotta keep bugging em just to get paid on time. i feel your pain, keep those records tight tho.
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WireWizard10⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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File the lien notice right away if it's past 30 days; in my experience that lights a fire under them without much hassle.
