I do grading/dirtwork/landscaping with Skids--have a decent-sized business with several crews. I have very few problems and have been totally stiffed only a couple of times. 1) On Invoice, "add" $100, $1000, etc.--depending on size of job, and state, "Please deduct $100 (or whatever)if paid in 5 days" Really helps 2) I quit working as a subcontractor. The general contractors usually pay slow and try to beat you down on price, so I don't even bid a job if the request comes from another contractor. (I keep plenty busy without "helping" my competition). 3)If I need to work out a payment plan to land a job, I will. Most people honest enough to say they need a payment plan will actually honor it. 4)If there is communiction once a bill gets 30 days old, I am understanding, but if you lie to me or won't answer my calls, I sue if bill is 60 days old. I have ALWAYS collected in court, and have always actually been paid once I win. I don't care about what the deadbeats say that I have sued--they have enough of a reputation of not paying that no one listens to them anyway. 5) Any materials are paid up-front before I begin work. I don't know if a new, unestablished business could dictate this or not. I didn't do this until I was well-established and had a reputation for good work. 6) Put a nice profit in EVERY bid. Makes it worth waiting for. DO NOT WORK CHEAP but give the customer VALUE--meaning do good work. In my business, if I land more than half of my bids---#1, I am working too cheap #2, I get too far behind. Do not be afraid to make money (don't work cheap). People will pay your price if you do premium work. Always provide VALUE. 7) Don't be afraid to sue. After 60 days with no communication, just get it done. On the other hand, if the customer keeps me informed of why he can't pay and/or begins payments, I am understanding. Life throws everyone curves once in a while. 8) If you have a bad feeling about a potential customer, just decline the work.
PS-- A list like this would have helped me a lot years ago. These are hard lessons to learn.
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Today's Featured Article - A Cautionary Tale - by Ian Minshull. In the early 1950s my father bought an Allis Chalmers B and I used it for all the row crop work with the mangolds and potatoes, rolling and the haymaking on our farm. The farm and the Allis were sold and I have spent a lifetime working on farms throughout the country. I promised myself that one day I would own an Allis. That time event
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