Getting your money from bad Bill

puffy · Mar 25, 2016

Today I have revisited of my old post. Read it and I was like....f-ing hell! What was I thinking?! While tons of homeowners liked the idea, it would not be worth it. Taking x% from a tradesman's earning is just robbery. So what I am up to these days? Something that requires tons of legal work :ihih:.

Let's say you've done a job for Bill. Bill says "I need four light fittings to be installed". Bill is on a tight budget and you both settled with a price for the job. You then installed the light fittings etc and it's time to be paid, as you've done your first fix. Bill is not happy because he wanted chrome fitting instead of what you've used. But you know if you used chrome, you would make a loss (let's just say that). You haven't mentioned chrome to Bill because he wanted the work cheap (again let's say you did the work).

Bill won't pay until you replaced those fittings with chrome. Bill will not pay a penny more. How would you get Bill to pay you for the job? Let's assume the job was £250.

Leesparkykent · Mar 25, 2016

puffy said:
Well the point was to find out how to get your money from a non-paying client.

With a Bat or a court.

bigspark17 · Mar 25, 2016

davesparks said:
Nope, materials remain my property until paid for by the customer as specified in my terms and conditions which customers receive a copy of with their quote.

And how do you get them back without trespassing and causing criminal damage.

PEG · Mar 25, 2016

^ Show me one successful trespass conviction...without the addition of B&E,criminal damage or Armed...not happening...

I would try thumb-screws,pressure points and water boarding...applied to myself,for NOT being accurate and specific,during the quotation stage :frown2:

sparksburnout · Mar 25, 2016

puffy said:
I agree on the 'first get upfront money' etc but I want to get the scenario of how you'd get your money from Bill. Are there any legalities that protect a tradesman "on being paid"?

You have used the word tradesman. This, to me, implies that the person involved (you) not only has a good knowledge of his trade, but also demonstrates a competent and professional approach to the other aspects of being an electrical contractor. I am afraid to say that nothing in your posts suggest any professionalism whatsoever. Like has been said, take it on the chin and don't blame the customer for your obvious inadequate approach and lack of customer-facing experience.

SJD · Mar 25, 2016

puffy said:
You then installed the light fittings etc and it's time to be paid, as you've done your first fix. Bill is not happy because he wanted chrome fitting instead of what you've used.

Ummm, am I missing something, ... after first fix there won't be any light fittings installed, just the cables hanging out the ceiling?