 |
11-15-2006, 04:28 PM
|
#1
|
|
tomcutt
Trade:
renovation contractor
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Ontario, Canada GTA
Posts: 14
|
Delinquent client , what next ??
Hi everyone
I have just recently found your site , kudos to you all for the invaluable advice.
I am a one man show doing renovations in Ontario. This my fourth year in business
I have been very fortunate so far in regards to payments etc,
However I have a client who is full of excuses/lies regarding the arrival of final payment for a bath project . I have a very detailed contract (scope of work)not so detailed for payment schedule , I have collected 50% of $9500 so far.
Verbally it was agreed that the balance was to be paid upon completion, and they have indicated they are very pleased with the work .
In my contract I included the installation only of a client supplied vanity
however 5 weeks after the bathroom is complete we still have no vanity to install . Hence delaying completion and payment
I have requested another 40% but get nothing but broken promises and lies . The client is a referal from a longstanding ($$$)existing client of mine. They have never stated they won't pay or any issue
As it stands now I requested via letter further payment and or contact within 5 working days but that has passed with no contact
Any advice is greatly appreciated
I found this board researching contract disclaimers etc. while updating my current contract to avoid this delema in the future.
Thanks tomcutt
|
|
|
Warning: The topics covered on this site include activities in which there exists the potential for serious injury
or death. ContractorTalk.com DOES NOT guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information contained on this site. Always use proper safety precaution and reference reliable outside sources before attempting any construction or remodeling task!
Join the #1 Contractor Forum Today - It's Totally Free!
ContractorTalk.com - Are you a Professional Contractor? If so we invite you to join our community and see what it has to offer. Our site is specifically designed for you and it's the leading place for contractors to meet online. No homeowners asking DIY questions. Just fellow tradesmen who enjoy talking about their business, their trade, and anything else that comes up. No matter what your trade is you'll find that ContractorTalk.com is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally free!
Join ContractorTalk.com - Click Here
|
|
11-15-2006, 06:03 PM
|
#2
|
|
MODERATOR
Trade:
Paperhanger/Painter
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: St. Louis, MO
Posts: 6,317
|
Not sure about the lien laws in CA, so really don't have any real-world advice for ya. But, it couldn't hurt to contact a lawyer. Occasionally I have my lawyer fire off a nasty sounding letter, and that is all it takes to light a fire under the customer's a$$ and scare them into making a payment. These letter cost me around $25-$30. Good luck!
|
|
|
|
|
11-15-2006, 07:39 PM
|
#3
|
|
Pro
Trade:
Swimming Pool Contractor
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,113
|
olddebts.com
|
|
|
|
|
11-17-2006, 08:57 AM
|
#4
|
|
Pro
Trade:
Windows & Doors
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Montreal
Posts: 176
|
Tomcutt
Are you in Ontario, Canada, or California?
|
|
|
|
|
11-21-2006, 03:19 PM
|
#5
|
|
tomcutt
Trade:
renovation contractor
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Ontario, Canada GTA
Posts: 14
|
resolution
Thanks for the advice , it is amazing how you get someones attention when you threaten to put a lean on their property.
$30 letter from lawyer
$16 overnite delivery
certified funds for the balance in my mailbox the next morning !
Mark, I am located in Ontario, Canada
|
|
|
|
|
11-21-2006, 05:02 PM
|
#6
|
|
MODERATOR
Trade:
Paperhanger/Painter
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: St. Louis, MO
Posts: 6,317
|
Man, don't you wish it was always that easy? 
|
|
|
|
|
11-21-2006, 06:01 PM
|
#7
|
|
Deck Designer/Builder
Trade:
Deck Design & Construction
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Whitby, Ontario
Posts: 2,138
|
Tom, congrats on getting such a quick response to your letter.
Did you bill them for the $46 it cost you to get their payment? 
__________________
It's a dog eat dog world and I'm wearing Milk Bone underwear - Norm Peterson
www.decksetc.ca
|
|
|
|
|
11-22-2006, 10:30 AM
|
#8
|
|
Pro
Trade:
Outdoor contracting: fences and decks
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,177
|
Tom, I'm in Toronto. If you have a similar situation, let me know and I'll walk you through small claims. I've been on average once a year for 27 years, and I've never lost. Ever.
|
|
|
|
|
11-24-2006, 07:31 AM
|
#9
|
|
tomcutt
Trade:
renovation contractor
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Ontario, Canada GTA
Posts: 14
|
Yes in a round about way I did charge them , I inadvertently charged them 7% gst instead of the new rate of 6% , not sure how that happened (??) ,
thank you to Stone M for the offer hopefully I will never need it .
Tom
|
|
|
|
|
11-24-2006, 12:13 PM
|
#10
|
|
Pro
Trade:
Windows & Doors
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Montreal
Posts: 176
|
Tom:
I have found the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation a very useful resource. Their publication #60944, Renovator's Business Guide, costs $24.95 and is worth every penny.
Also, Canadian Home Builders Association has an excellent website. The section Get It In Writing has some useful canadian legal content. (Google CHBA)
I am glad you stood your ground and got your money.  Too often, contractors give up their rights for a sake of referrals.
Mark
|
|
|
|
| Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
|
| Display Modes |
Rate This Thread |
 Linear Mode
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
|
