How long is it taking you guys to get payment on commercial service work?

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masterinbama

masterinbama

Senior Member
Location
Huntsville Alabama
I seem to have more trouble getting paid on the smaller commercial accounts. Did a service call in February of this year. New customer 8 story apartment complex. They told me on the phone the parking lot lights would not go out, grabbed a couple of photo cells and headed over. Their on site maintenance guy meets me in the parking lot ,sees me grab the photo cells from the truck and says he already changed it. He takes me to the main electrical room and says this is the panel that feeds the lot lighting. Right next to the contactor is a switch marked "maintenance bypass do not operate" I flipped the switch off and the lights went out. $150 service call + no parts. My invoice clearly states payment due at time of service unless negotiated otherwise. Corporate says this is too much to flip a switch. I guess they will find out what too much is because I filed the lien yesterday.
 
I

ITO

Senior Member
Location
Texas
wireguru said:
well at the same time, its not fair for the mall owners to get a lien on their property when they have nothing to do with the contracted work....
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I respectfully 100% disagree, they own the building the chose the tenant, collect rent from the tenant and ultimately realize the benefit of any improvements. They also have the power to make the tenant pay your bill.
 
480sparky

480sparky

Senior Member
Location
Iowegia
masterinbama said:
I seem to have more trouble getting paid on the smaller commercial accounts. Did a service call in February of this year. New customer 8 story apartment complex. They told me on the phone the parking lot lights would not go out, grabbed a couple of photo cells and headed over. Their on site maintenance guy meets me in the parking lot ,sees me grab the photo cells from the truck and says he already changed it. He takes me to the main electrical room and says this is the panel that feeds the lot lighting. Right next to the contactor is a switch marked "maintenance bypass do not operate" I flipped the switch off and the lights went out. $150 service call + no parts. My invoice clearly states payment due at time of service unless negotiated otherwise. Corporate says this is too much to flip a switch. I guess they will find out what too much is because I filed the lien yesterday.
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First invoice: "Flip switch: $150."

After they complain, reinvoice them.

"Flip switch: $10. Knowing to flip switch: $140."
 
mdshunk

mdshunk

Senior Member
Location
Right here.
For commercial service work, I send a bill marked "due on receipt", but don't get too excited until it goes past 45 days. Commercial clients historically only pay once a month, and when you send in your invoice in that cycle dictates when you are paid. It's as simple as that. There are a few that I require to pay me out of the cash register or write me a check as soon as I'm done, due to history with them, but for the most part most people pay within a month or so.
 
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