Working On My Vocal Work (Payment)

[Steve9000]

I have been plumbing for around 16 months ,but I think I’m having issues with the ”Ohhs and ahhs”. I have completed some jobs where the customer has not paid, the latest was a new basin and some other general plumbing work, all was going fine until I asked for payment. The customer was totally happy with the work carried out. The customer asked me if I could come back tomorrow and she’d pay me. Arrived next day at the aranged time and no answer, despite the tv being on. She has now sent me a text saying she can’t pay. I’ve had 14 jobs I’ve completed where the customer has either paid nothing or a fraction of the cost of the work completed. I think I need help from experienced plumbers on my vocal work and getting the “ohhs and ahhs” just right, so I get paid. My prices are average and I work to good standards. I’m thinking of taking my Gas next year and I don’t want this sort of thing occurring on boiler installs for example. Many thanks Steve

 

[Scott_D]

Card machine?
Maybe word has got around the local scabs that you are a walk over

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Small jobs don't leave without getting paid even if it's via a cheque

 

[Murdoch]

Do you provide a quote or estimate before you start?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Do you provide a quote or estimate before you start?

Both depends on the job of small normally quote if big job / risk of going wrong estimate

 

[Murdoch]

Both depends on the job of small normally quote if big job / risk of going wrong estimate

A quote is a quote

An estimate is an estimate

Proving either would reduce the chances of the issues the op is facing ...

 

[ShaunCorbs]

A quote is a quote

An estimate is an estimate

Proving either would reduce the chances of the issues the op is facing .

True but a quote is fixed an estimat isn't

 

[townfanjon]

14 jobs pal , thats shocking .

 

[Murdoch]

True but a quote is fixed an estimat isn't

Which is precisely my point ....

Did the op provide either before commencing work?

 

[Chalked]

That’s a shocking rate of non payers.
In 22 years of self employment, I’ve had 2 non payers.
Maybe I’m lucky. Or is it that I don’t let them have a chance at not paying.

 

[king of pipes]

Thats Dire mate you will be out of business in no time at that rate , you need to provide a written or printed estimate for each job you take on and agree the terms of payment before starting . Self employed plumber you need to be making £200 a day or you may aswell work on the books , don't be afraid to ask for part payment up front either that way your not gonna take such a bit hit if you have a non payer . Cheers kop

 

[Gasmk1]

give them all another invoice with 7 days to pay if no payment within 7 days then another letter saying you are passing it to a debt collector. sell the debt on. they will soon cotton on you wont get all you are owed but will get some i think they pay you about 75% or thereabouts.

 

[Murdoch]

give them all another invoice with 7 days to pay if no payment within 7 days then another letter saying you are passing it to a debt collector. sell the debt on. they will soon cotton on you wont get all you are owed but will get some i think they pay you about 75% or thereabouts.

That's an interesting idea

Wonder how the OP is providing an invoice?

 

[Gasmk1]

thats the advice that my friend had when someone disputed an invoice, you have to keep records of all contact though. always put your terms on the invoices make it either payment on completion or within 7 days, then reminder is 7 days and after that its letter to say passing to debt collection or take them to small claims court.

 

[Gasmk1]

luckily in all my time only had 1 non payment and they went into aministration so didnt bother following up, as bill was £70.00 would have cost me more in paperwork to the administartors and then i would have been bottom of the payment list.

 

[Best]

If the customer is in employment or/and owns property (a car, house or other assets), then small claims court as a last resort should eventually achieve payment of your invoice if your case is sound.
I would first allow a customer who says they don’t have the money to pay you in 2 or 3 instalments.
Ridiculous that someone orders a job and then pays nothing towards your time or materials - theft really!
Try getting everything in writing. Even an on the spot agreement between you and a customer is better to have a signed agreement unless you know and trust the person.
Remember email or text agreements are same as if on paper

 

[Bibbs118]

Go round and turn the water off outside, leave a printed note in there saying, Dear plumber, this customer does not pay, get money up front.

 

[64degrees]

Like the OP said, sounds like words got out you’ll roll over. This is a trust game to a degree, they trusting you’ll do what you say, you trusting they’ll pay. Get everything you can in writing, either an email or text that states they’ll pay on completion.
I’d set aside my lunch break to phone everyone on the list, if they get s phone call everyday they’ll pay in the end.
You could consider joining the Trustmark scheme, think it’s about £200 per year but they offer a free arbitration service if you fall out with the customer.
Failing that use your estwing

 

[mrtibbs]

While not a plumber, I supply services to the pub trade and we have the worst payers in the world. You need to put the price and your terms in writing so they cannot claim surprise later. Then use this service. Business Debt Collection & Recovery Solicitors | Thomas Higgins Limited They are actual solicitors and the letter is around £10 for a consumer letter rather thana business letter. They scare the life out of people and we get paid 999 times out of a thousand in an industry where bad debts are the norm. If you join the FSB they have a scheme that is even better and costs less. (If the link isn't allowed please let me know and i will remove it. )

 

[rpm]

Nice post mrtibbs, useful to know and don't see why it should be edited, sooner or later we all get caught out.

 

[1Steven]

I used to find the hardest of the job was asking for money. But having done the work the money is owed and must be paid. Just before you finish ask if they would like to pay cash cheque card or bank transfer. Simple as that. Don't give people a discount it only comes out of your pocket and you can't ask for a discount when you go shopping. Get materials money upfront, if they hesitate at this point walk away. Card machines are a Godsend, caught a few people with that one.
Wishing you all the best for the future.

 

[SimonG]

Weird that the op didn't come back. Very weird wording as well.

 

[Welder]

Perhaps it was Mr Wong?

 

[1Steven]

Maybe he got paid and is on holiday.

 

[Darren Jackson]

I have only ever had 2 non payers in 14 yrs of running my business. And both have involved the company owing me money going into receivership, to have as many as you have had in just a few short months I have to ask myself are you up to the Job? As your customers must obviously think you are not. In my experience a happy customer always pays. There are 2 sides to every story what are your customers saying as to why they are withholding payments?