Chasing money!

[jgtiling]

Hello

I did a job for a plumber 3 weeks ago and im still waiting on payment. All im being told is "oh yes weve posted the cheque!".

Can anyone give me advice on getting paid?

Oh and no im not going round there with a baseball bat before someone comments!! haha

Jez

[abskiing]

Don't mess around. Record every thing you write, phone calls etc and start with an official letter telling them you will take the appropriate action if payment is not received within a certain time/date.
Small claims court procedures are very straightforward and the threat of the bailiffs coming round with a warrant for payment can often get their attention very quickly. You can even do it online. However, one word of warning. If this is some fly-by-night organisation/Sole Trader who had no intention of paying you, then you have a harder task in getting payment. Even the civil courts are often ignored by this type of character.

Be persistent and good luck


abskiing

[Dave]

some comps pay after 30 days..if after that period you have no payment then take it further.....good luck...

[Fekin]

Oh and no im not going round there with a baseball bat before someone comments!!

It can often work better than a claims court, and it's free if you have a bat.

[grumpygrouter]

I usually find that a letter from a reputable solicitor works really well. Usually costs about a tenner.

Grumpy

[pjc]

it hurts mate hope you get it good luck Pete

[dean39]

I agree with feckin,did the job,should have been payed by now,time to up the anti pete,seems the plumber is holding back,maybe you should ask client when bill was payed to plumber,might give you more info,good luck.

[enduro]

If working for plumbers and builders always agree payment terms before you start, as alot of them pay 30 days from your invoice date. a good tip i think for all you new tilers..

[pjc]

dept collector sometimes works better heavy one early

[Leatherface]

hi mate...
Firstly, you must expect this at some time or another, it is part and parcel of being a "subby"
One the whole I tend to find that domestic customers usually pay ok. However builders, firms and plumbers are altogether different.
I recently did a job in Cheltenham, have 4 days away then another 5, completed second phase 3 weeks ago, still have not been paid. Was promised money last Thursday ( around £1500 ) Now I have been told it will be this Thursday coming. Also have done and completed a job for a builder - bathroom full tile £1100 - will not get paid till after Christmas. Also 2 days tiling for the owner of a kitchen & bespoke furniture firm, at his own house ( I do all his tiling ) I completed this work a month ago and he promised to get back to me with a cheap cash price for some fitted wardrobes - still waiting & have not been paid for job either.
Got ripped off by a plumber a mont or so ago to the tune of nearly £500 and he took five weeks to pay me in drips and drabs.

You can put anything you want on your quote... i.e payment expected on completion ! If they are dishonourable they will still not pay it if they don't want to.
County Court is costly and time consuming - still not guaranteed to get anything. Maybe £10 a week for the next 10 years. If they default you have to re-apply at court.
Debt collectors are probably the only option - however make sure you have all your quotes in writing - go as far as sending them recorded delivery to new clients, as with your invoices.
Good luck

[brian c]

keep phoning him at every oportunity and asking for your money,especially at inconvenient times.Hope you get your well earned reddies bud.

[Leatherface]

or Kidnap and torture his family - works every time ....................

ONLY JOKING GAZ !!

[customceramics]

it pays to get stage payments as the job progresses,that way you dont have the big nut outstanding at the end.
For the most part i insist on 50% down
Then a 25% payment when tile installed and the balance including any extras (which should be agreed in writing before you do them)at the final completion.
This way you have at least got 75% of the job in your bank account.
Some people including me cant wait 30 days for a cheque.
Also no matter how small the job is,it is proffesional to write up a contract so BOTH parties know the score.
Contractors can be too passive with clients but the clients would welcome assertive tradesmen meaning be confident and straight forward and 9 times out of 10 you can spot the snake before you do anything.
Another point would be when pricing a job you have to get their trust just as much as they want yours.Never sell yourself short and at the end of the day be straight up.

[Yorkie]

If its a ltd co and they owe over £750 you can actually instigate a Winding up process through companies house, you usually find that this gets them listening and taking you seriously and sorts the issues pretty quickly.

Transcript taken from compulsory liquidation

This procedure is initiated by an individual creditor who must be owed at least £750. Occasionally a group of creditors acting together may take this route. The mechanics involve the serving of a Winding Up Petition on the Company, which has a number of draconian effects on the future conduct of its affairs. In particular, if the Petition is accepted by the Court and a Winding Up Order made against the Company, not only does this put it into Liquidation, but it makes each and every one of it transactions since the date when the original Petition was served potentially invalid.
Once the Winding Up Order is made, the Official Receiver automatically becomes the Liquidator, but he will often have a licensed Insolvency Practitioner appointed in his place, either where there are assets to be sold and a potential surplus for the ordinary creditors, or else if the creditor who served the original Petition or some other creditor asks him to do so.

[stev1904]

All you need to know is found at

businesslink.gov.uk

type debt recovery in the search engine on the top right.

Hope this helps

[versatilene]

It happens if you do more than domestic work. I did a job for a local council in September, just got the money this week after lots of chasing, only £450 but I was well peed off.