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Discussion starter · #143 ·
Brian Peters said:
This thread reminded me of a story I heard a long time ago about a mason who built a chimney, people warned him that the customer had a reputation for not paying. He said "well he'll pay me. " When he built the chimney, part way up he put in a clear pane of glass. He finished the job and sure enough the guy wouldn't pay up, so he left... later when the weather got cold and the guy tried to build a fire...smoked him out!
So he calls up the mason and says "hey, my chimney doesn't work, not at all! " The mason says "when I get my money it will work, I promise. "
Guy pays, mason climbs up and drops a brick down the chimney to break the glass, and everything is settled.
Anyway this was years ago, before the days of suing like it is today, probably wouldn't work nowadays.
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That's awesome!!!:clap::clap::clap:
 
#147 ·
Warren said:
That story has been making the rounds on construction sites for at least 25 years. There are also similar stories about plumbers and electricians that did things to insure that they were paid also.
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It was fairly common practise among bricklayers here for decades, up until the mid '80's anyway. Masonry fireplaces are much less common now so I'm sure it's rarely done these days
 
Discussion starter · #148 ·
Well, it's been two days since my deadbeat client met with Tulsa's Most upscale remodeling company and I haven't heard a word.



Any ideas? I've called him the last two times. No email. No text. Not a word. He met w the guy at 130 yesterday.:mad:
 
#149 ·
That tells me he didn't hear what he wanted to hear and is avoiding you. IF that is the case then WILL he be honest about it. Most mediation usually involves all parties. That way all know up front what is expected out of each party when it is over.

Is there a type of formal mediation process for builders in OK? We used to have one here in Texas
 
Discussion starter · #152 ·
mreynolds said:
That tells me he didn't hear what he wanted to hear and is avoiding you. IF that is the case then WILL he be honest about it. Most mediation usually involves all parties. That way all know up front what is expected out of each party when it is over.

Is there a type of formal mediation process for builders in OK? We used to have one here in Texas
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I don't know if we have that or not. Maybe Okiecontractor would know. I'll have to message him. I was thinking the same as you cuz it would seem if he had agreement on his side he would be anxious to let me know. Everyone likes to be right. Right? But I have no idea with these people.
 
#156 ·
Be proactive on your side and show he did not follow-up.

"Mr. Goofball, since we haven't heard from you, I was following up to find out the results of your meeting with XYZ Company regarding your perceived issues with the paint.

As you'll recall, during our last conversation, you had requested to have XYZ Company come in for their perspective on the work done, and we agreed in our willingness to make you happy. From that conversation, it was our understanding that the meeting was held on Wednesday afternoon, December 11, 2013 at 1:30pm and that you would give us a follow-up call with the results of the meeting so we can move forward.

Please call us at 333-333-3333 so we can discuss the next step. We look forward to hearing from you."

Sincerely,

T-towngirl


Document everything... Check your cities lien laws regarding time limits... you don't want them running out the clock on you...

Best of luck... 8^)
 
#158 ·
KAP said:
Be proactive on your side and show he did not follow-up. "Mr. Goofball, since we haven't heard from you, I was following up to find out the results of your meeting with XYZ Company regarding your perceived issues with the paint. As you'll recall, during our last conversation, you had requested to have XYZ Company come in for their perspective on the work done, and we agreed in our willingness to make you happy. From that conversation, it was our understanding that the meeting was held on Wednesday afternoon, December 11, 2013 at 1:30pm and that you would give us a follow-up call with the results of the meeting so we can move forward. Please call us at 333-333-3333 so we can discuss the next step. We look forward to hearing from you." Sincerely, T-towngirl Document everything... Check your cities lien laws regarding time limits... you don't want them running out the clock on you... Best of luck... 8^)
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This is a good letter to use almost word for word.
 
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#159 ·
T-towngirl said:
I don't know if we have that or not. Maybe Okiecontractor would know. I'll have to message him. I was thinking the same as you cuz it would seem if he had agreement on his side he would be anxious to let me know. Everyone likes to be right. Right? But I have no idea with these people.
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There are some companies in okc and tulsa that do mediation. I have never personally used them but I know they are there. Let me know if you need to go that route and I will send you their information.
 
#160 ·
T-towngirl said:
I had a conversation discussing every concern. I was on the phone w him for 45 min. I told him I needed the 50% draw before I could proceed. I also reiterated that this was my position all along. ( If you will notice i am finished except for these "concerns") He was refusing to pay and kept telling me why. Rather than tell him to kiss my $&@, I asked him to make a list and email it to me. How is this a mixed message. I do not WANT to work for them anymore but if he pays me I will do my best to address these concerns. How is this a mixed message to him?
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If you won't finish the work because he hasn't paid then why are you asking him to send you a list? You won't do the list anyway if he's not paying you. When you say you won't do the work because you haven't received your 50% draw yet, that's not making a lot of sense either. If you had progress payments scheduled in your contract, the correct way to do it is schedule a walk through with the homeowner when you've reached that phase, if they are happy with the work up to that point then you collect the payment and continue the rest of the job. If there's something wrong then you fix it, and then collect the payment. If there's a draw you haven't received then why are you finished with the job? Why didn't you wait for your draw before you continued work?

It sounds like it would be hard to work this out over the forums. Why don't you show your contract to your attorney and figure out your options?
 
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