Getting Paid

[Deleted member 23452]

It depends what payment on completion action means?

It's meaning is pretty clear? When the job is completed. The only exception to that for me is a 10% snagging retention on bigger jobs.

When someone works for me they get paid at the end of the week, month, or on receipt of invoice whichever we agree before the work is done. No bullsh1t, no excuses, no arguments about prices or rates.

I expect to be paid in the same manner, and my terms clearly state how much and when. The customer and I sign two copies, they get one I keep the other. No errors, no confusion, no "Oh, I thought ...".

 

[Rossi46]

I'm still waiting for the money from that guy I mentioned in the original post. Joke!!!

 

[Rossi46]

It was a one day render job. Huge detached house in a nice area. Very well off people. Mrs is a bit of a wag and the clothes and cars etc show they aren't struggling. Finished the job a week and a half ago. After I had the, i'd rather have my money now than in three weeks conversation, it's been wait wait wait. He said he'll sort it about three times and still nothing.

 

[markla]

One reminder, one final demand, one visit to Money Claim Online.

i,m owed 8 days money for a job i did in october 2014 tried to get the guy to pay up
he refused would,nt answer his phone or voicemail so sent a txt explaining what my intentions were he sent me half a dozen txts back threatening me and what he was going to do to me if he ever runs into me again so i started a money claim on line paid the fee and made a small statement thought that would be enough he did send a cheque for half the amount i sent it back now he,s defending the claim and now its all going to court in may 2015 its been a long time waiting but hopefully i,ll get a result plus all costs involved
this is the first time i have ever done this in all the years i have been self employed at least i will have learnt somthing when its all over will report on how it pans out.

 

[Deleted member 23452]

It was a one day render job. Huge detached house in a nice area. Very well off people. Mrs is a bit of a wag and the clothes and cars etc show they aren't struggling. Finished the job a week and a half ago. After I had the, i'd rather have my money now than in three weeks conversation, it's been wait wait wait. He said he'll sort it about three times and still nothing.

Reminder in writing, final demand in writing giving ten days to pay, then hit money claim online and they'll take it from there. It'll cost £60:00 but that's added onto the bill (along with interest if you want). They won't want a CCJ so you'll get paid before court.

More small businesses should follow the examples of the larger companies and corporations. If you don't pay your phone bill on time what happens?

 

[SpankySouthport]

Reminder in writing, final demand in writing giving ten days to pay, then hit money claim online and they'll take it from there. It'll cost £60:00 but that's added onto the bill (along with interest if you want). They won't want a CCJ so you'll get paid before court.

More small businesses should follow the examples of the larger companies and corporations. If you don't pay your phone bill on time what happens?

It's a fine line though do you not think? I mean I'm sure Rossi would still work for the client even though he has had to wait a week or so?

If it went on for 3-4 weeks and they stop communicating then I'd be all for a small claims court providing it's an amount worth chasing..

 

[Deleted member 23452]

It's a fine line though do you not think? I mean I'm sure Rossi would still work for the client even though he has had to wait a week or so?

If it went on for 3-4 weeks and they stop communicating then I'd be all for a small claims court providing it's an amount worth chasing..

Yes it is a fine line, and only the person owed can make the judgement as they know the customer. However, 'once bitten, twice shy' is an important maxim for business. I prefer not to take the chance myself.

People can be very laid back about late or non-payment, but if someone walked into your house and took your computer how would you react? It's the same thing, theft. Even if you eventually get paid, or get you computer back, it's still theft as they have something of yours and prevent you having access to it.

 

[SpankySouthport]

Yes it is a fine line, and only the person owed can make the judgement as they know the customer. However, 'once bitten, twice shy' is an important maxim for business. I prefer not to take the chance myself.

People can be very laid back about late or non-payment, but if someone walked into your house and took your computer how would you react? It's the same thing, theft. Even if you eventually get paid, or get you computer back, it's still theft as they have something of yours and prevent you having access to it.

I do feel it's all relative to how much you have invested, someone like yourself (builder) generally has thousands invested in every job so yes I would take a hardline every time.

 

[Deleted member 23452]

I do feel it's all relative to how much you have invested, someone like yourself (builder) generally has thousands invested in every job so yes I would take a hardline every time.

True, but I've only ever had to chase that hard once and it was for a small (few hundred) job for a private school. I tend to vet/weed out the messers before I do the work. I may get it wrong sometimes and not do work for people that would be fine, but I'd rather make a mistake that way than the other.

I'm sure @Nisus or @Olican will back me up when I say that the people I work for are nice people to work for. It makes life easier for everyone.

For me it comes down to a point of principle. Running a business and earning a living in the building industry is hard enough when it's all going fine, chasing money is an extra hassle we can ll live without. So if someone makes life harder for me I feel better if I return the favour.

 

[adamd]

It was a one day render job. Huge detached house in a nice area. Very well off people. Mrs is a bit of a wag and the clothes and cars etc show they aren't struggling. Finished the job a week and a half ago. After I had the, i'd rather have my money now than in three weeks conversation, it's been wait wait wait. He said he'll sort it about three times and still nothing.

Just call round his house and say you were assing and you want your money - if he stings you along just say i'll call every day or at your work .... cant stand bellends like that ... the sad thing is m8 the lifestyle will all be on credit cards etc .... makes me laugh how I see people ive worked for and they give it the big I am then you see the mountain of debt letters etc they have .... makes me laugh

 

[owls]

Dealing with developers etc where on account so ill invoice and it gets cleared at the end of the month, so were talking 30 days on the whole. I have every confidence I'll get paid .I pay my lads every week as well , suppliers in 30 days. Like any business I've built up cash flow over the years in the business to tide me over.

 

[Arti]

I recently had an issue with a customer telling me that it's standard practice within the industry to get paid after 14 days. apparently as a property developer she knew everything..............eventually got paid of her after reminding her that by confirming the estimate price and agreeing a start date she was agreeing to the payment terms stipulated on the estimate as that's what was agreed...................at the end of the day if they dont wanna pay when agreed than your f**k*d for a little while even by taking legal action..........................cheeky bitch had a nerve to ask me to price another project.......................

 

[TonyM]

I had a building contractor take 9 months to pay me £1500 final payment, back in the 90s. He paid up after a solicitors letter, then within a month, was on the phone asking me to do another job for him. I actually said to him, "are you f**k**g joking?" And put the phone down. Cheeky c**t.

 

[Deleted member 23452]

I had a building contractor take 9 months to pay me £1500 final payment, back in the 90s. He paid up after a solicitors letter, then within a month, was on the phone asking me to do another job for him. I actually said to him, "are you f**k**g joking?" And put the phone down. Cheeky c**t.

That school paid up after three months and submitting a money claim on line and them issuing a court letter. They emailed me about fitting some doors a few weeks later. I replied that I'd be happy to come and quote but it would be £850:00 payable in advance for me to come out and quote. They didn't reply.

 

[Olican]

True, but I've only ever had to chase that hard once and it was for a small (few hundred) job for a private school. I tend to vet/weed out the messers before I do the work. I may get it wrong sometimes and not do work for people that would be fine, but I'd rather make a mistake that way than the other.

I'm sure @Nisus or @Olican will back me up when I say that the people I work for are nice people to work for. It makes life easier for everyone.

For me it comes down to a point of principle. Running a business and earning a living in the building industry is hard enough when it's all going fine, chasing money is an extra hassle we can ll live without. So if someone makes life harder for me I feel better if I return the favour.

True, bloody lovely bloke to work. Very professional

 

[Marshy]

Private customers piss me off who dont pay up on completion if they cant pay straight away ? Dont have the f'ing work done until you have the money to pay for it! We all have bills and families etc so why should we go without or wait when we are expected to keep paying for our overheads etc on time till we get paid!!??

 

[kgreigh]

Private/domestic customers should pay on completion unless you state otherwise, as said above don't have the work done if you can't afford to pay for it

 

[0121bcfc]

never had a problem tbh builders are worst to get paid from

 

[malc]

.................cheeky bitch had a nerve to ask me to price another project.......................[/QUOTE

double the price.

 

[malc]

i must have some good customers, i can say that no one owes me any money.

 

[User___removed]

I wouldn't invest in you .so I'm out, private customers should be immediate max 2/3 days,builders a week max 2 .why wait,free credit ,for what reason, you need to reign in that policy..[/QUOTE
Lol

 

[User___removed]

Private customers piss me off who dont pay up on completion if they cant pay straight away ? Dont have the f'ing work done until you have the money to pay for it! We all have bills and families etc so why should we go without or wait when we are expected to keep paying for our overheads etc on time till we get paid!!??

What so if they don't pay on the day you finish the job it winds you up?

 

[User___removed]

Dealing with developers etc where on account so ill invoice and it gets cleared at the end of the month, so were talking 30 days on the whole. I have every confidence I'll get paid .I pay my lads every week as well , suppliers in 30 days. Like any business I've built up cash flow over the years in the business to tide me over.

That's because you run a decent firm unlike most of the odd job plasterers on here

 

[johniosaif]

Toys out of the pram...

 

[Marshy]

What so if they don't pay on the day you finish the job it winds you up?

Yes mate it does as ive stated previous i make my customer aware before any work starts that when the job is done and they are happy with it? I want paying in full. Most other buisness's get paid straightaway so why not us?? If they havnt the funds to pay straightaway then they shouldnt have the work done!? I aint no charity to bloody customers who try and get away with not paying up for a few days or whatever !!? Sod that lark !!!

 

[adamd]

Agree with Marshy ... nothing wrong with wanting paying when the works done ... I too haven't got the time to chase money and drive round collecting it ... Why would I waste my time ?? If others want to be messed around then its them who isn't running a business right imo

And yes it gives me the hump if some excuse comes out when I want paying ... I have no issue collaring a customer for money ... you pay what you owe when im done as per my quote !!

 

[Marshy]

Agree with Marshy ... nothing wrong with wanting paying when the works done ... I too haven't got the time to chase money and drive round collecting it ... Why would I waste my time ?? If others want to be messed around then its them who isn't running a business right imo

And yes it gives me the hump if some excuse comes out when I want paying ... I have no issue collaring a customer for money ... you pay what you owe when im done as per my quote !!

indeed Adam if i have work done on our house i get a price off them and make sure the cash is ready for when they are finished or send a baccs payment straightaway if its a large amount and that is how it should be in my book!!

 

[PFTwales]

I used to send my misses round, She's relentless. Last thing he needs is a nagging misses

 

[PFTwales]

anyone else feel they gotta stay and talk to the guy if you got someone round to work. i end up labouring for them.

 

[plasterjfe]

Its a sign of the times. Were a pay I later society with no morals, we don't care about other people and if that is their wage that feeds the family, most people will drag it on or hang about. Same people first in the que buying the latest iPhone when its out, they don't drag there feet over that do they now.

Anyway its nice that up Jere in the north there are still plenty who are waiting to pay bang on the dot, plenty of brews and still the odd tip for " eearr lad get the lads a drink" not as many as before mind bit still some about.

 

[Danny]

Have you paid the decorator you cut down and haggled with yet dan?


Or did you just crush the skanky lowlife cuunt...

he was encouraged to go

 

[Jake0]

Not a bad idea really. I've heard of money being sent to the wrong account by mistake (1 wrong digit) and the recipient keeping it. The banks are not obliged to tell you who you've wrongly given the money to cos of the privacy of said recipient.

Most banks can give you a cooling period sort of speak think it's a few days and it can be retracted had it done my self before

 

[krplastering]

I know it doesn't always come on time and don't expect it but it seems to be taking longer and longer. It's not that I'm getting in trouble and running low on funds at all it's the principle of making me wait and wait. It's on your mind then because everyone can potentially not pay if they really wanted too.

It's also not a case of standing there with my hand out. I go away from the job either sending an invoice in the post/e-mail or agreeing a time to be paid. When the invoice has been sent and it's a long time before I hear anything it gets right on my tits. Also when they say they'll pay me the same evening of finishing the job and then it goes days with nothing and then your having to chase them in a begging kind of way and that's wrong.

I must of been really lucky over the last 20years,only ever had a handful of problems but always got my money,95% of the time customers hand me cash and I'm off to the next job,saying that 95% of my work is on recommendation