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Finally started using a real contract template instead of just a handshake deal
I mean, after a guy in Charlotte refused to pay the last $400 for a driveway job last month, I switched to a template from my trade group. Has anyone else had a client try to ghost on a final payment?
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garcia.wren5mo ago
My uncle's old plumbing business got burned for over two grand on a kitchen remodel because the final payment was just a verbal agreement. He started putting a lien clause right in the contract, which sounds extreme, but it makes people think twice. Now I list the exact conditions for final payment, like a walkthrough sign-off, before the last day of work. It turns that last chat from a maybe into a checklist they've already agreed to.
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corap615mo ago
Add a line in the contract about late fees too, like a small percent each week... it gets people moving. @garcia.wren is right about making it a checklist, but you also need a real reason for them to actually check it off on time. I even put the final payment amount in bold right next to the due date so there's no "I forgot" excuse.
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luna2615mo ago
Contracts can get pretty heavy with all those clauses. Most clients pay just fine without the legal threats. A simple signed agreement usually covers it.
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