This thread reminds me of a time ....
Look, I really like doing productive things. I feel so good when, at the end of a job, I flip the switch and everything works. I like it when folks smile and tell me how nice everything is. It's what makes the trade worthwhile. So, when you don't get that outcome, you are confused and hurt.
For a time in the early 90's, I drove a cab. Outside Reno there are legal brothels; such places were desireable fares, because the meter ran about $22, plus the brothel tossed us a few dollars. Let me tell you, with a 'net' income of about $150/wk., a brothel trip was very attractive.
So, a gent approaches the cab. I give him an estimate of $22. He tell me other guys charge $17. I figure I'd cut him some slack. Long story short, at the brothel I see him try to squeeze the girl in a like manner, and pretty much leave without spending any money. I bring him back in ... and, guess what? He's short a few bucks. So much for a tip!
Lesson learned. From then on, it was 'pay the meter, and if "Joe" say different, feel free to go ride with Joe.'
A funny thing happened when i did that. Folks got really upset. As if I was the one being rude and unreasonable. As if I was the bad guy. Nearly a 100% walk-away rate. Then again, I had learned I wasn't going to make any money from them anyway.
Sure, it hurt my felings to have them walk away ... but it also hurt my feelings when these guys asked to re-write the rules to their own advantage. I was living in the back of my pick-up truck at the time, barely keeping body & soul together ... I figured if anyone needed a break it was me.
Another loss happened when I was part of perhaps a dozen cabs carrying a wedding party. You guessed it; everyone thought someone else would pay the bill. We all got stiffed. Oops.
Now, there were a few drivers I considered "crooks." I had this opinion as they would take the 'scenic route' and pull other stunts to run up the meter. Somehow their cars all had 'fast' reading meters, too. What puzzled me were the customers I would encounter who sang their praises of these guys. Somehow they had mastered the art of fleecing the customers, and making the customers like it. There's a lesson in there somewhere.
Back to electric work .... all you can do is have the customer agree to a price BEFORE doing any work. Then, when you're finished, say 'I did what we agreed, now pay what you agreed.' Before you start work, address EVERY issue that may come up. Who cleans up, what condition the yard will be in, who fixes holes in the wall, etc. Don't leave the guy an opening to ask for $50 off because you stepped on some flowers. Then your position will simply be "We had a deal and I did my part."
If they want to re-open negotiations after the work is done, you MIGHT be nice and point out some unforseen complications for which they were not charged. Or, you can simply tell them to either pay up, or agree to pay your shop rate while you stand around and talk. If you're still getting nonsense, pack up, give them another chance to pay, then go file your lien, etc. Heck, call from the courthouse just before you file and ask them if they have reconsidered.
Will they get mad? Of course they will. That's a given. It's part of the game. You did your part; they never intended to do their part. "Guilt" makes them protest too much.
You have three possible options open to you. You can lien the property. You can sue (small claims) to collect. You might also be able to file a police report alleging theft of services.
You, by comparison, become the criminal when you damage the property, damage the work you've done, block their drive, or harass them.
Plaintif or defendant: it's your choice.
