What would you do?

Got a call from a painter 38 days ago frantic to get a window cleaner to clean up a serious mess they made on a decent sized CCU that the last cleaner walked on. I dropped everything to do the job and charged her $1250 to which she wrote a check for at the end of the day.

Before I left the GC came to me and asked me if I could do such and such more before the day was done. Sure I said at 6pm. Did the job, subbmitted a bill for 250 to him at 7:30 and he signed and we left.

30 days later he calls and asks me to do more. Like a wall of glass three stories high all CCU that would have to be done from a ladder as landscaping was done and the lift was gone. I said sure. Did you guys get the bill in the mail? No he says but Iā€™ll see what I can do to get you paid. Good I said. I want the check in my hand before I do this wall.

Well tomorrow is here. Got the job scheduled but still no check from this company Iā€™ve never worked for. Talked to the head of maintanance at the job and he said this company likes to take their time paying. My terms are net 30.

I txted the GM and he said the bill has not been sent out yet but once Iā€™m done tomorrow submit both to their office at the same time. Didnā€™t answer his txt yet.

Trying to decide if I should do the job or not.

Need some quick advise. What would you do?

Is it possible to deal with the first one who cut you that check instead of gc? Those big corps have usually 30 or 45 net days to pay outside work, (when they feel like it) they dont care what your net is. Im sure its coming. If you pass, youll kick yourself later,providing they pay lol. Get a po signed before u start.

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Iā€™d be careful. Especially since the gc approached you. Until I have a working relationship with a new customer that found me, I donā€™t let them get too deep into my wallet.

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Getting a po signed first is not a bad idea.

Nobody is on site anymore to sign the bill. The painters long gone.


This is the job in question. Donā€™t think there would be much primer over spray

Yea, get in the habit of no additional jobs scheduled without payment for the last.

I DO NOT DO NET 30, for this very reason.

Want me to extend credit to you for 30 days or more? There is a charge for that. I donā€™t discount you for paying on time, I charge you for paying late.

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Totally agree.
I wonā€™t start the next job until Iā€™ve been payed for the last job, unless I know they are good for it.

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If it was that pressing, theyā€™d find a way to cut that check before u start. Some of my customers i require payment upon completion. But i have a huge client that calls me all the time, for windows, vinyl signage, etc. that i was leary with at first because they were 30 days late the first few times. and now in that contract if not paid by 30 days, thereā€™s 10% of job price late fee tacked on every single day after 30. They are damn sure to pay on time since i did that. And they just keep calling me back too. Im glad i held onto em because it turned out very well for me. Brought me some more big name references like nike, kraft Heinz, last month i prepped the gym for the nba draft combine.

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Iā€™m going to use the opportunity to lean on the head of maintanance for a regular cleaning.

Leave it dirty and tell him Iā€™ll clean it if he want to sign me on regular. Theyā€™re good for the money. They pay quick.

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Totally reasonable and appropriate request.

What if you had promised to come that first day and didnā€™t show up? Then 30 days later they call.
You: ā€œOh, ok, let me see what i can do to get there tomorrow.ā€ Still donā€™t showā€¦

Email to contact: ā€œPlease note that payment is overdue and no further work will be performed until paid in full.ā€

You are well established enough that Iā€™m sure you have other paying work that this would be taking you away from.

Not getting a check from this guy speaks volumes about what you have to look forward to with regard to the business relationship.

If you are chasing money, a customer is not worth it. I generally avoid commercial work for this reason.

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I prefer payment due upon completion. I do have a couple of good commercial jobs that pay within a week to 10 days. I am perfectly fine with that. If it takes 30, 40 or more days to sign off on a check? In the words of The Donald, ā€œyouā€™re firedā€.

Stick to what you have told him already

Sounds like the type of company youā€™ll spend a lot time chasing money .

Also sounds like he needs you more than you need him . Heā€™s seen your work and knows he can rely on you , but you still havenā€™t seen if they pay . I would just call and tell him ''call me when you got my check in your hand Iā€™ll go do this wall for you ā€˜ā€™ .

You donā€™t want to get burned on 2 jobs .

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Good advise. Iā€™ll be on the horn first thing in the morning

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He said they would have a check for you, no check no workā€¦Check in hand then start workā€¦You have other paying clients to take care of!

I want my check man, put that sh*t in my hand. and if that money doesnā€™t show then you owe me owe me owe.

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Call an electrician or plumber, then try to dick around with payment. Let me know how it goes.

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Offer to take a credit card over the phone. Offer them a way to pay you fasterā€¦

Thatā€™s too fancy for me. Had a total of three customers ask me in my whole career