GC owes me money

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Vinniem

Senior Member
Location
Central Jersey
How do you collect a small amount of money?

Finished job, passed final inspection, GC owes me $600.

Made several calls, nothing.

Have a signed contract, I'm 100% in the right. Works done, I want to get paid!

Problem is, it will cost me more to slap a lein on him than what he owes.

Thought about small claims court, but I hear it's not worth the time or effort.

How do you guys collect your money?

Looks to me, I'm going to get screwed.

Any comments are appreciated.

Thanks
 
We have all gc's pay day rate, cash deposit up front, cash at end of day for work done that day, no exceptions.
If the GC complains adout these terms, he does not intend to pay you , better to walk or suffer the loss.

GC's can come up with some pretty good stories, like no one else asks for a deposit, they try to pull a if your in business story, you must have credit with the vendors, so why do you want money, they will try anything to avoid paying, but there are so many new guys every year, they can always find new fish to fry.
 
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Vinniem said:
How do you collect a small amount of money?

Finished job, passed final inspection, GC owes me $600.

How do you guys collect your money?

Looks to me, I'm going to get screwed.

Any comments are appreciated.

Thanks
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For a small amount like $600 the first place to call is the home or business owner where the work was performed. Ask if he has recieved final payment if he hasn't tell them you want your money and in return you will furnish them with a lein waiver. ( you don't put a lien on a GC you file one against the property where the work was done ).

I have used this to collect directly from the homeowner.

If the GC has already recieved all his money then don't bother calling anymore. Play surprise visit. Just show up at his home or place of business and tell him you have come for your money. Do not threaten him as there may be witnesses. Just showing up at his home or place of business will let him know that you are serious about collecting and it let's him know you know where he lives without you having to say a word.

Be nice and be professional, you can scare most people more with a lawyer than you can with a gun. You just want to deliver a message that you are not going to forget about this and that you are going to collect one way or another.

If all else fails turn it over to a collection agency. You may never get any money but you will know that he was badgered for awhile.
 
Lien is late, in Jersey you need to file an intent to lean before the work is started.

Just take the time to go down to the Building department, ask to talk to the construction offical, explain to him, just what you told us, he may be able to help move the payment along, a letter from his office can do wonders.
You said you have a written contract, and a filed paid for permit, sounds like your in good shape.
 
Vinniem said:
Any comments are appreciated.

Thanks
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How long has it been since you finished the job. With my customers I allow 30 days before the harassments begin but I usually get it within a week or two.

If he won't return your calls try and find out where he is working and show up there-- esp. if he has an office, and she what the story is.
 
Vinniem said:
How do you guys collect your money?
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I ask and ask. I ask if it would help them (GC) collect if I file a lien to get the property owners attention. I also go to the property owner and discuss it with them. I'll talk to anyone about it. (Knock on wood) I've not had to go to court or get stiffed yet.


Looks to me, I'm going to get screwed.
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Don't go there yet. It could be simply a cash flow problem, though if $600 is a cash flow problem you really should find someone else to work for.

Any comments are appreciated.

Thanks
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Welcome
 
when I was growing up we had a crooked mall developer who screwed his contractors, and still they would line up to build his malls. At one, the electrical workers had the permit for the temporary power. They called the power company guy in and explained that they got a certified check or cash right now, or they'd walk and the power company guy would shut off the juice as he had no permit, nor could he get one.

My dad said the guy was furious and punching the walls. The mall was scheduled to open, so he paid.

No one else got paid.

Matt
 
satcom said:
Lien is late, in Jersey you need to file an intent to lean before the work is started.
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That seems odd. What good is a lean for if you have to file before doing the work? The only reason to file one is if you haven't gotten paid for work completed.
 
SmithBuilt said:
That seems odd. What good is a lean for if you have to file before doing the work? The only reason to file one is if you haven't gotten paid for work completed.
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NJ has 3 differend lien laws. one for public jobs, another for commercial, and another for private, residential

Pre-notices are required
After work is performed, but prior to filing a lien claim against residential property, a lien claimant must file a notice of unpaid balance, right to file lien and demand for arbitration.
 
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Getting your money.

Getting your money.

Not familiar with NJ Lien Law but in CA you need to pre-lien as a contractor prior to starting the work. An employee does not need to pre-lien and can file against the job if he is not paid. I would suggest calling other subs that were on the job and checking to see if they were paid. If you find several subs that have not been paid I would contact the State Contractors Board and file a complaint as a group. In CA contractors are required to have a bond with the state. If that is the case in NJ, you may have a claim against his bond.
 
The A.T.G.s office in my state has a contractors complaint office which includes G.C.s stiffing customers or subs. Could be your state does to. They may also have a list. Ask your G.C. if he wants to be on it! Although maybe he already is. Anyway ask if the 600 is worth the chance of a complaint on file for future customer references.

Mark
 
Blow his phone up, write him letters, talk to people he knows, show up at his house. Do whatever you have to do to let him know that you're not going away. Basically you have to be such a pain in the rear that he'd rather pay you just to get you off his back.
 
emahler said:
vinnie, pm me with their name if they are local....
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Bada Boom, Bada Bing. Now thats what I'm talking about.....
sopranos460.jpg
 
From the psycho files.My old boss told me a story about a GC stiffing him $2000 .His action was to go to the guys house knock on his door sit on his couch and not move till he got a check.This was about 20 years ago he got his check.Not sure I recoment his method but thought it was a good story.
 
My old boss told me a story about a GC stiffing him $2000 .His action was to go to the guys house knock on his door sit on his couch and not move till he got a check.This was about 20 years ago he got his check.
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20 years of sitting on the guys couch for only $2000 is a long time. I would have given up after only a few days:grin:
 
macmikeman said:
Bada Boom, Bada Bing. Now thats what I'm talking about.....
sopranos460.jpg
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not quite...that would cost him more than $600...but Vinnie is in the same area as me...I might know the GC or have leverage for him to use...never know...
 
Something else that works pretty well is sending a letter to the editor of the paper where the GC is located & explaining your situation (unless of course the editor one of the GC's relatives in which case it'll never get published). It's amazing how when things are made public & others are seen in the public eye as 'dirtbags' you get results. Just look at the 'Starbucks' fiasco during 9-1-1 where they charged a rescue worker $130 for 3 cases of bottled water, or the 12 electrocuted servicemen in Iraq.
 
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