I'm a contractor as well. I learned over the years that there are two clients you never do work for. Lawyers and other contractors. It never goes well.
Seriously. I've seen it several times. It starts off with the contractor guy asking for something simple then he keeps asking for more and more. Then because you are buddies you owe him a favor and will Want it done for free.
As a contractor for 35 years; on a big flat job like that; My deposit would pay materials and labor, and after prep; and prior to pour; my next draw would be a decent profit etc...Don't EVER let a customer have leverage...
I’ve never screwed over a contractor in my life but I have been screwed over by a contractor….. Just keep in mind, the contractor screwing the customer is more likely than the customer screwing the contractor .. Story after story ..
I feel the same way about contractors and always retain 10% - 15% of the total fee until the job is finished, inspected, and closed out. Have had too many contractors that don't do the job according to the contract, do substandard work, or don't finish to meet the agreed schedule. Distrust goes both ways for equally valid reasons...
That's just good Sound business I come in with my States maximum allotted on deposit and then within two or three days they they have to pay up yeah I make him give me a big chunk of money before I put a nickel into the job
Thanks for posting this, you guys do great work. Note to self: when you walk on a job site that looks like its already been worked on, asked a lot of questions and double your rate.
Also look at their house. The guy has his damn shingles painted from overspray. It's easy to see now watching the video and I hope you get what you are owed. If not, spread the word so he doesn't get another job withing 250 miles of the city.
No, he is a snake, wants to make easy money on other peoples back, that’s what Trump does and has done to contractors. They end up going belly up. Disney does this all the time that is why the park is separated into multiple entities so contractors cannot collect or if they do they get o poor Ernie’s on the dollar.
Every time I put a Lien on a No Pay Client, it wasnt long before they were calling and Begging me to Remove It because a Lien tells the world they are No Good!
@@marky5493 A lien is a legal claim against a property or asset to secure payment of a debt. If the debtor doesn't pay the debt, the creditor can seize or force the sale of the property
At ANY TIME with that many problems you can ask the client, "If you're unhappy we can stop the project right now" WATCH THEIR REACTION, that is key. If some one is that unhappy you know they would quit, if they are looking to screw you over they will continue on. I have been there and done it. I would rather only loose to a certain point then suck the whole job down. ALSO YOU SHOULD HAVE CALLED AN INSPECTOR OUT. Now the city is involved as to why is this gas line here and none of it passes inspection, nor did he have a permit to build a pool!!!
Most cities want to be notified when you dig up a gas line and expose it. That way they can give there ok to bury it after inspecting it for damage. Could be more scammers as the economy slows. Be careful!
I had a customer that didn't want to pay me for a driveway I had done for him. When I showed up with a backhoe to tear it out he paid. At that point I was already out labor and materials, I wasn't going to lose anymore by tearing it out so I didn't care, 🤷♂️. Petty? Maybe. Did I care? Nope.
@@troyholder1 I don't think you are correct. The IRS has priority, then the mortgage holder, then the liens. The remaining liens are usually paid on a first filed, first to get paid basis.
Yup hope he doesn’t pay the lien either so they foreclose his ass. There needs to be better laws helping contractors get paid. We should be able to call the cops on clients not paying intentionally, it’s worse than stealing. I remember I did a job at plates bar and grill in Los Gatos and that bitch that owned that restaurant years ago didn’t pay me then had the cops escort me out of the building and the cops said “yup she does this all the time with contractors”. A criminal calling the cops to help her, how fucking ass backwards.
27 years contracting "plastering" I've encountered a couple of these types, definitely good learning experiences. Great thing you documented. Take him to small claims.
Thanks for posting this. I have had so many wonderful customers for so many years; I need a reminder to walk off when getting these types of signals at the earliest sign.
Sorry you had to deal with that customer man! You dont deserve that ! You guys are so professional and very humble ! Don’t worry God is going to bless you even more for being the bigger person !
I vape and own a glass company but wear nothing but Justins including in the summer. One look at the house is a huge red flag. A professional craftsman doesn't allow his house to look like that pile of 💩. Rotten wood, painted shingles, fogged units, I'd love to see this contractors work.
It looks like you have everything documented and should have little to no trouble having a court decide in your favor plus time and court costs. I hope you're able to make this Bozo pay pay the cost for his actions. Good luck to you!
@@tomb816 I was a contractor for 48 years before retiring, I have had to take many people to court for non payment. Yes I have had a few that I did'nt collect on, but they were small amounts and they were not collectable only because the person had nothing. when you go to court and the judge rules in your favor, you will be given a judgement for a set amount of money including interest untill the judgement is satisfied. You may have to do a little sleuthing, to discover moneys or properties that the person owns. Then you take the judgement to the county sheriff's office tell the sherriff where the money of property is and and request that the sheriff execute the judgement. The sherrif will send his civil process deputy out to either collect the amount of judgement in cash or he will lock up the property and sell it at auction. The Sheriff can also go to the person's bank and collect the money from the person's account. There will be a charge for this service, but that charge will be added to the judgement amount. From what you describe, this person likely has experience with this process and will hide assets so you will have to be just as tricky and just a little mean about it. Get the judgement and just let it percolate for a few months and keep an eye on him. If he has a contract project going find out if he owns any of the equipment on the job. Set up a time with the sheriff and go to his job site and the Sheriff will damand cash on the spot, and if he does not get it he will confiscate everything of value there. every nail and hammer and wheelbarrow, vehicle and piece of wood.
Funny story, we are a landscape contractor from Dallas Texas. We had 2 out of hundreds of customers who found excuses not to pay both were from California. We don't do work for Californians sorry.
Even though the video is sped up, i didn't see any mistake,it looks like a high quality job to me, especially the fact that you have to tie into existing work, looking forward to part two
I usually get 1 out 20 customers that give me hell. It happens, part of being in business. I get $100 down payment (10% or less) after the first day I form, I get 50% , on completion I get other 50%. That way if customers don’t want to pay the final payment, at least my labor and material is covered. Then Mechanic lien.
Chalk it up for experience, you learned an expensive but very valuable lesson. Your read is spot on and you were trying to keep your guys employed, rightfully so they are talented and it shows in the finishing. It sucks to have to deal with those types of people but they are few and far between and a distant memory soon. Keep up the excellent workmanship 👍
File a mechanics lien on the property. Spread the word to your associates. I had a similar situation and it took three years to get paid: he wanted to refinance at a lower rate but the bank would not approve till he paid off existing liens
I have in mind another UA-cam clip where a brickie in the UK went back and tore down all the work he'd done because they stiffed him when it came time for payment.
Or senile and stupid ones. At some point AFTER you finished. They forgot to pay. They Block your number for no reason. They demand discount for ..... and .... . Like 80% discount because you wouldnt start on sunday. So they had to take the monday of work. Unbelievable And so on The Bank had made a mistake, the Bank send the money else where and so on.
When Omar was warning you about this contractor, it really felt like you was brushing him off. I know hindsight is 20/20 but he was really trying to get you to listen to his warnings.
I drove a mixer for Robertsons back in 2004, and they had issues of their own………but we ran into customers like this, trying to find any reason not to pay. Throw a lien on their property, and call it day. I watch your videos all the time, definitely a stand up company! 🔥🔥
@@TheKingOfInappropriateComments your correct, they do expire eventually…….but Real Property Liens last 10 years in California. The lien also automatically attaches to any other property in the debtors name, if it’s within the same county as the lien. The company that puts the lien is now the legal owner of that lien, which means they can legally proceed with a foreclosure on the property to collect. The lien also attaches to any property purchased in the future, if its within the same county. So if done correctly, they’re pretty effective………without necessarily having to sue.
I've been a contractor for over thirty years and semi retired now. I've found a simple way of making sure I get my money. First thing every Contractor has learned when starting is that last check is always the hardest to get. To stop that nonsense I went to a 10% at signing, 1/3 at show up, 1/3 at half way point. All Change Orders are due at time of change up front. That way the final check at slightly below 1/3. It is so, so, much easier to collect because it's the lowest and a expected amount. If they hold out it's not a breaker for me because all my expences are out of the way and people paid.
@@robinrodriguez480 if your doing a $10,000.00 job including tax for a client and they agree to your terms and agreement. You collect $1,000.00 (10 %) at the signing. The moment you show up to do the work or have to order materials you collect 3,300.00 (1/3 amount). They are now into you at 43% paid toward their project. You reach the half way point of completion, you now collect another 3300.00 which is the second 1/3 of contract amount. They have now paid 76% of the job so far at the halfway point. The last amount (assuming no change orders which are do right away) their final bill is only $2,400.00 24% of job . A much easier sum to get out of them then the 5,000.00 they would have owed
@@robinrodriguez480 Customer pays 10% the day the job contract is signed. 1/3 of the full amount payable when job is started. Another 1/3 halfway through the job. Any changes to job are to be paid at the time the changes are asked for. Final 1/3 due upon completion of the job, minus the initial 10%
Another thing you have to factor in is that the contractor friend who referred you to this nightmare customer, if he wasnt too close to that guy then he basically knew he was giving you a headache job.
Your instincts were correct but your integrity and pride still took charge. 30+ yrs California general contractor I learned to NEVER or always question doing unnecessary work that's specified by the homeowner. Gas lines and electrical conduits in CA backyards are rarely inspected when a previous contractor suddenly has left leaving dirt piles behind as a clue of a coverup and no inspection card signed off. Lessons are learned and cost me some big bucks over the years and red flags are really blaring sirens.
WOW Tim you & your crew did a fantastic job, I hope you find justice from the Courts as you need to sue this customer. Any honest person could watch your video & see what a great job you did & What you had to deal with.
Usually you can charge 10% up front per state contractor law, but then you can have all your materials charged on day one as long as you bring them out.
I'm a tile contractor and I can tell you that I don't pick up one tool until half my money is paid up front, my customer can only rip me off for the last half but I never work for free. Not sure if you guys ever charged anything up front or you get paid one lump sum at the end, guess I'll have to stay tuned to part two😏👌🏻
@@BenWW27 22 years in business and every job I get half up front, or I simply walk away, my customers look for me I don't look for them so if they don't trust me they shouldn't hire me.
@@BenWW27 I paid 50% to the guy who built me a front porch and put on new siding. Might be different around here than many places. Not a lot of contractors and he had been working for many years. It's not a big place subjectively speaking. He wouldn't want the trouble. I have no idea how it works in well populated areas.
Legends, that’s some amazing work. Hold these assholes accountable. Taking advantage of the vulnerable man providing for the family. Thanks for sharing and creating awareness.
The first time he started giving you crap is when you should have just stopped and told him this isn't going to work out and needs to find someone else. If he refuses to pay just tell him no problem, you'll just file a mechanic's lien on the house. As a contractor I'm sure he knows how that works.
My Son-in-Law owns a concrete company with His Brother in the Midwest. He had a person just like this divisive scammer customer except the Son-in-Law's customer was of the slightly violent and a very vocal type. Contractors in the area are now wary of him. If you can't be friendly, reasonable, and one who tries to stiff on the bill, it is going to cost you a lot more or you are going to have to do it yourself. And there are a lot of contractors that " will not " do business with him.
I get 50% up front. If they don’t pay the balance put a lien on their home. It’s money in the bank. You’ll get paid if they ever want to sell or refinance or borrow money on the house.
Looks like a great work crew and great job you deserved all your pay. Stay clear of picky customers require 50 percent up front so you cover your basics😮 sorry for your loss
As a contractor he knows exactly what he was doing. He was setting you up before you even got there. He knew it was hard labor and figured out how to get it done for free.
Start charging the customer an interruption fee. And make him submit all changes in writing. If you tell them this up front and is in your contact agreement and the customer signs it, your covered and I like the comment another person made about 50% up front and I’ve had contractors actually submit a bill at then of business day and if I didn’t pay they don’t come back till I did. Then again it’s all different here in California.
I agree! I always get 50% up front with new customers, and progression payment after that. That way you cover your material and labor as you go, and what’s left on the end is the profit. If you lose some profit, at least you paid your bills.
@@shirleylanier4351 only 10%??? That’s crazy! So as soon as you order material, your in the red. I would definitely get the 10%, have the customer pay for their own materials, and my first progressive payment would be 40% due the first time my vans/ trucks arrive on site lol
Definitely a bigger up front, then an interim payment before the pour. That way if they don't pay at the beginning, you walk away. If no interim payment, at least youve covered your costs up to then. The interim payment would cover the concrete cost and a bit of yours. So if this ever happens occasionally, you've lost nothing. Of the customer doesn't agree to your terms of business, then move on to the next job, simple. I think perhaps you need to be a little more sinical about customers, then if they prove you wrong, then great. Its not a bad way of being. You should always be looking for red flags on every job. That way you protect you and your guys. Iys just a thought. Your a decent guy, and people like that look for decent guys because they know they can take advantage of your good nature 👍 take care and best wishes to you and your guys.
40 years experience as a general contractor and I admit I never could tell for sure when a customer wasn't going to pay until its happening right before my eyes. Mechanic lien's are only valid if submitted before a job starts, permits are in place to protect the homeowner, and in my area drainage required a permit w/ 2 sets of drawings. Anyway, best advise is to always create a paper trail on big and small jobs. Always submit a material list prior to start and note that more materials will cost more. Cash jobs are great until there's a problem, it's a business so a check is better, and buy the way on jobs I thought would be problematic I requested the homeowner write out the check, I only want a photo of the check and they could hold it until the job was completed. If it was say 3 payments, write 3 checks and I'll photograph them, then collect according to the payment schedule. Different states are different laws. Civil court could mean mediation and that could mean Monty Hall Let's Make a Deal. Also in Civil court, whoever files 1st is usually right, so you should have filed already, paid the filing fee and and US mailed the writ to the homeowner using 3 forms of mailing, and note these additional fees are on top of the payment owed. Never stop a job in the middle for non payment, that the worst thing to do, because they can sue the contractor. Instead, you file a motion in civil court for non payment and remove it once payment is made including the filing fee. I had a few that didn't want to pay, a few that I sued to get paid, and a few that it cost triple the original amount after judgements were ordered, but I always got paid.
Seems like your crew did a good job, kept the work area clean and did so under some weird circumstances as well as got the job prepped quickly. Put a lien on his house if he didn't pay......or show up with the jackhammer!
I saw the other video of the actual pour, which looked professional. I too had my own contracting business & have had my share of working for nitpicking pedantic people. Understand it is a pretense to try to get you to lower your price (inadvertently using his wheelbarrow is an extreme example). What I've learned is people are creatures of habit, for better or worse, we can't help it. Your observation that he didn't have the guys that did the patio slab back was a clue, although in hindsight it becomes more obvious. With the technology we have at our fingertips do a background check. Hard lessons learned.
HVAC contractor. Worst job I ever had was for another contractor. He was smarmy big-headed, thought he could cheat me. Was on the phone while I was working yelling at people over the phone. His wife phoned me at night during the job and literally screamed at the top of her lungs with a shreik that would curdle blood. They were also poor pay and complained about the job to get $$ off. It was a nightmare. I had done a similar job for his neighbor who referred me to this dude. Most of my work was word of mouth. But this dude was ignorant. Probably still is.
These guys are all the same. CON ARTISTS. Yelling on the phone, hoovering over your job complaining, super unprofessional, and cheap! Wanna be contractors.
Sorry you have to encounter that kind of people. I had a job once helping out a home remodeler so I know how hard this work can be, and then to not get paid in the end.
New to the party here! And new subscriber! Fascinating two parter video here.. hence my subscription, looking forward to watching some of your others. This customer, woah, that is something. I’ve had similar but nothing to the level you describe here.. he was out to get you from the off, you can do ultimate perfecperfection but it’ll never be right for such people, they’ve an agenda, and probably some mental illness. You did such a fantastic job, made me laugh when you said “we’re getting out today” absolutely hear ya there.. you can’t afford to rack up man hours on such crazy persons as this.. all hands on deck, get the bill in and get the hell outta there. U did amazing, I feel for you. Chin up!
He has a nice house. It bothers me that a dishonest person can be this successful....I bet he feels no shame taking advantage of people. You know, criminals that do home invasions do not feel amy shame either...
The first mistake is a car salesman doesn't buy a car from another car salesman because you know something is wrong with the car. Secondly, you should have listened to your employee instead of "yaing" him, especially if he's a good employee. Should have huddled your guys and had a talk like be extra neat and stay on your toes on this job.
I’m 7 years a part-time crawlspace contractor . I work almost exclusively on referrals . When I go to look at the job, I’m sizing up the client much more so than the job. Funny story, at one inspection, I did not get to spend enough time with HIM so I made up an excuse to come back and when I got out of the truck he asked me “ Can I ask the reason for the visit?” I said for measurements. Later we laughed about it while he was feeding me tacos in his garage. Great guy, but I needed to know that before I did work. Gotta get signed clear agreements and gotta be in their hip pocket. Another time we pulled off if a job after finding out he had fired three contractors. One was a concrete driveway. I didn’t see anything wrong. No way were we doing it. Pulled out in the SNOW. Sorry you got beat. Also I use a $20 per month service. Truthfinder (I think). Never been beat.
Im currently building a new ICF house. I refuse to pay up front BUT my contract is as follows. Customer directly pays all vendor invoices and all invoices are in customers name with delivery address to customers house. Weekly labor for crew is paid every Friday by customer. Contractor is paid in 4 draws for their time/labor. This has worked great for me the customer and my contractor. We both feel protected and have skin in the game and incentive for the project to get completed. Additional my contractor isn’t paying up front out of pocket for anything, only his time ordering all materials, managing the project, and experience is reimbursed. My house is coming along nicely and on budget. It’s so sad there are thief’s on both sides. It makes it so difficult for honest people just looking to work and hire workers to be able to do business. I’m really sorry the customer did this to you. 1 thing is true, not all contractors OR customers are bad, but the bad ones are hurting everyone’s reputation.
Lesson learned!! 👍 Been there myself!!! You keep trying your best,,,,& then you realise ,,,,,,, it’s just a job,,,,,, nothing is worth this amount of hassle & stress,,,,,,,walk away👍👍👍👍
Sorry this happened to you. I was a contractor for 15 years. Fortunately I only got ripped off a couple of times. It hurts especially when you do a good job. The finished job looked great.
I'm sorry you had to go through all that brother, keep doing what you do bro, what you do to others, others will do to you... The owner will learn that verse one day..
File a lien on his property for non-payment if local laws allow it. You did an excellent job documenting the work you've done that should greatly help when suing this clearly corrupt and abusive client. What an opportunitic jerk!
I’m a GC in NY. I would never, not in a million years, treat someone that way. I prefer to work with the other GC’s and contractors around me, to make sure we all can have good jobs and make a good living.
😢 dude I dealt with the same type of mother trucker. That's when I started getting half of the bid up front from everyone even my mother. I was a general contractor for 30 years. In the construction field for 45, my dad was a general contractor. We've all been screwed before but it's really hard to take when it's from another contractor, especially one that doesn't know what the hell they're doing. Now I just work for my family for free. I do get free meals!
make sure to send a link for the video to the local council/town building inspector with a comment look at the gas line at 5:40, he will be paying to have that awesome slab cut up to fix the gas and electrics that are not up to code, and they might have a close look at what else he's cut corners on here in Australia the water, gas, phone and electric MUST be 600mm below (2 foot).
Did you not have a draw schedule where you take 50% upfront another 25 when you’re 50% done 20% on your 75% done leaving only 5% for the final payment . I’ve been stiff once or twice and we change the way we do our business if they have an issue with that payment schedule I don’t take the job, it’s too costly. 90%of my work is word-of-mouth so we’ve been lucky so far but in terms of being stiffed I can’t stand people who watch people work their asses off all day long planning to rob them because that’s what it is robbery it’s despicable. I hope it worked out well for you Godspeed.
I hope you passed the word to all your other contractor friends and especially the one contractor who recommended you to this cheap guy !!, glad you had all the video evidence to use for a court case !!
Your team was amazing and the job was stellar. I would love to have your company do work for me anytime. I’m sure any judge will see what this joker is trying to get away with.
Job well done, sorry that you got treated poorly. It’s a double edged sword on getting paid and requiring partial payment up front. I have paid 50% upfront a few times and got burned several times. Myself as a consumer will never do that again. I have always thought that if the contractor can’t manage his money he isn’t a contractor that you should use. However after seeing this I have a better understanding
I noticed you use wooden pegs have you ever tried Star pickets we use them and tac screws you can reuse the screws multiple times the pickets can be dangerous and cut you so the yellow caps on the top you can get a lot longer tac screws are so good very fast and cost effective
I'm a contractor as well. I learned over the years that there are two clients you never do work for. Lawyers and other contractors. It never goes well.
I concur
Seriously. I've seen it several times. It starts off with the contractor guy asking for something simple then he keeps asking for more and more. Then because you are buddies you owe him a favor and will Want it done for free.
And doctors
In my personal experience....rich people hate prying open that rusty creaking wallet.
Rich people and wogs
Put this guy on blast!!! People like him need to be famous
🎯👍🏻💥💯‼️
Man you guys go beyond PROFESSIONALISM!
How you go from handling the project all the way to the clients!
Keep it up!
Lots of patience 😂
I hope you get your money back, I would go back and pour concrete down his drains if he did that to me.@@OdellCompleteConcrete
Did you ever take this piece of 💩 to court?@OdellCompleteConcrete
As a contractor for 35 years; on a big flat job like that; My deposit would pay materials and labor, and after prep; and prior to pour; my next draw would be a decent profit etc...Don't EVER let a customer have leverage...
I’ve never screwed over a contractor in my life but I have been screwed over by a contractor…..
Just keep in mind, the contractor screwing the customer is more likely than the customer screwing the contractor ..
Story after story ..
I feel the same way about contractors and always retain 10% - 15% of the total fee until the job is finished, inspected, and closed out. Have had too many contractors that don't do the job according to the contract, do substandard work, or don't finish to meet the agreed schedule. Distrust goes both ways for equally valid reasons...
@@buckhorncortez 10- 15 % is fine; that keeps everyone honest...
@@mycaddigo Debateable, it most likely balances out if we had the data...:)
That's just good Sound business I come in with my States maximum allotted on deposit and then within two or three days they they have to pay up yeah I make him give me a big chunk of money before I put a nickel into the job
Thanks for posting this, you guys do great work. Note to self: when you walk on a job site that looks like its already been worked on, asked a lot of questions and double your rate.
Great tip!
Also look at their house. The guy has his damn shingles painted from overspray. It's easy to see now watching the video and I hope you get what you are owed. If not, spread the word so he doesn't get another job withing 250 miles of the city.
He probably watch your videos all the time, and he is jealous that he is no like you guys! Nice, humble and one of the best!!👍🏽💪🏽
No, he is a snake, wants to make easy money on other peoples back, that’s what Trump does and has done to contractors. They end up going belly up. Disney does this all the time that is why the park is separated into multiple entities so contractors cannot collect or if they do they get o poor Ernie’s on the dollar.
Every time I put a Lien on a No Pay Client, it wasnt long before they were calling and Begging me to Remove It because a Lien tells the world they are No Good!
Imagine it ruins their credit score.
what is a lien??
@@marky5493 A lien is a legal claim against a property or asset to secure payment of a debt. If the debtor doesn't pay the debt, the creditor can seize or force the sale of the property
Your page is great. The amount of effort you put into your jobs and still have to deal with people like this makes me feel like I’m not alone lol
At ANY TIME with that many problems you can ask the client, "If you're unhappy we can stop the project right now" WATCH THEIR REACTION, that is key. If some one is that unhappy you know they would quit, if they are looking to screw you over they will continue on. I have been there and done it. I would rather only loose to a certain point then suck the whole job down. ALSO YOU SHOULD HAVE CALLED AN INSPECTOR OUT. Now the city is involved as to why is this gas line here and none of it passes inspection, nor did he have a permit to build a pool!!!
Hmmm Good point. Did he have a permit to build a pool? I see a big fine if he did not.
Most cities want to be notified when you dig up a gas line and expose it. That way they can give there ok to bury it after inspecting it for damage. Could be more scammers as the economy slows. Be careful!
Good advice.
To do that at his own house 😂 is really not wise at all. Glass house
Yeah, that would screw him big time...!
I had a customer that didn't want to pay me for a driveway I had done for him. When I showed up with a backhoe to tear it out he paid. At that point I was already out labor and materials, I wasn't going to lose anymore by tearing it out so I didn't care, 🤷♂️. Petty? Maybe. Did I care? Nope.
😂 that's awesome 👏💕👍
That's illegal, a contractor in Colorado did that (destroyed a bathroom he remodeled) and was charged, had to plead guilty
That's not legally allowed, it's burglary and mischief and a contractor who did similar in Colorado was charged, see the famous Terry Gregory case
I’ve threatened to do that but you can’t really do it or you’ll go to jail.
I work on small business computer networks . You don't pay. Your business don't operate.
Be sure to file a Mechanic's Lien on that job!
I was thinking the same thing, put a lien on it, cant sell the house until it is cleared.
Mechanics liens are so strong that they are placed in front of an IRS tax lien. Guys just a crock.
@@troyholder1 I don't think you are correct. The IRS has priority, then the mortgage holder, then the liens. The remaining liens are usually paid on a first filed, first to get paid basis.
That dude is a jerk and a thief!
Yup hope he doesn’t pay the lien either so they foreclose his ass.
There needs to be better laws helping contractors get paid. We should be able to call the cops on clients not paying intentionally, it’s worse than stealing. I remember I did a job at plates bar and grill in Los Gatos and that bitch that owned that restaurant years ago didn’t pay me then had the cops escort me out of the building and the cops said “yup she does this all the time with contractors”.
A criminal calling the cops to help her, how fucking ass backwards.
Put his name out there to protect future contractors !!!!
27 years contracting "plastering" I've encountered a couple of these types, definitely good learning experiences. Great thing you documented. Take him to small claims.
Thanks for sharing
Small claims it isn't the uk. Also, I guarantee it isn't a small amount for that amount of work
@@terencewelch9800 true
Thanks for posting this. I have had so many wonderful customers for so many years; I need a reminder to walk off when getting these types of signals at the earliest sign.
I'm sorry this happened to you. I watch all of your videos and your work has always been top notch.
Thank you I appreciate it
@@thegreatecbso you would work for $14 dollars an hour ?
Sorry you had to deal with that customer man! You dont deserve that ! You guys are so professional and very humble ! Don’t worry God is going to bless you even more for being the bigger person !
The flip flops and the vape should've been an immediate red flag.
Haha yeah I talk a lot about that in part 2
EXACTLY!!
yep, other datapoint to look for is over 35 wearing a baseball cap backwards wearing pajama bottoms
bingo
I vape and own a glass company but wear nothing but Justins including in the summer. One look at the house is a huge red flag. A professional craftsman doesn't allow his house to look like that pile of 💩. Rotten wood, painted shingles, fogged units, I'd love to see this contractors work.
I have been watching you guys videos for a while now and you guys do great work. True professionals. Sorry this happened to you guys. It sucks man.
It looks like you have everything documented and should have little to no trouble having a court decide in your favor plus time and court costs. I hope you're able to make this Bozo pay pay the cost for his actions. Good luck to you!
People do this because they know the contractor doesn't have enough backbone to take them to court, or even file a lien.
Court can decide whatever they want. Unless there's a wage garnishment setup, there's nothing to guarantee the guy ever pays you.
put a lien on the house.@@tomb816
You can file a lein on him and he wont be able to borrow money. @@tomb816
@@tomb816
I was a contractor for 48 years before retiring, I have had to take many people to court for non payment. Yes I have had a few that I did'nt collect on, but they were small amounts and they were not collectable only because the person had nothing. when you go to court and the judge rules in your favor, you will be given a judgement for a set amount of money including interest untill the judgement is satisfied. You may have to do a little sleuthing,
to discover moneys or properties that the person owns. Then you take the judgement to the county sheriff's office tell the sherriff where the money of property is and and request that the sheriff execute the judgement. The sherrif will send his civil process deputy out to either collect the amount of judgement in cash or he will lock up the property and sell it at auction.
The Sheriff can also go to the person's bank and collect the money from the person's account. There will be a charge for this service, but that charge will be added to the judgement amount.
From what you describe, this person likely has experience with this process and will hide assets so you will have to be just as tricky and just a little mean about it.
Get the judgement and just let it percolate for a few months and keep an eye on him. If he has a contract project going find out if he owns any of the equipment on the job.
Set up a time with the sheriff and go to his job site and the Sheriff will damand cash on the spot, and if he does not get it he will confiscate everything of value there. every nail and hammer and wheelbarrow, vehicle and piece of wood.
Funny story, we are a landscape contractor from Dallas Texas. We had 2 out of hundreds of customers who found excuses not to pay both were from California. We don't do work for Californians sorry.
Out this contractor so we can get the word out to not use him at all. Make it hurt is his pocket book.
Right! Who is this guy?
What? R u serious? Beautiful job
@@donnahankins8451 Yes, out the customer contractor in this job. He shouldn't be treating fellow contractors like this.
@@donnahankins8451They're referring to the customer, who is himself a contractor.
@@donnahankins8451The contractor that he did the job for, not him.
C'mon lassie, catch up.
Even though the video is sped up, i didn't see any mistake,it looks like a high quality job to me, especially the fact that you have to tie into existing work, looking forward to part two
I usually get 1 out 20 customers that give me hell. It happens, part of being in business.
I get $100 down payment (10% or less) after the first day I form, I get 50% , on completion I get other 50%. That way if customers don’t want to pay the final payment, at least my labor and material is covered. Then Mechanic lien.
thats how the company i work for does it
Dude your work looks good. Results speak for themselves!
I like the saying that "if it looks, walks and quacks like a duck, it's a duck."
In my older years, I can say that if I only hadn't doubted myself.
Chalk it up for experience, you learned an expensive but very valuable lesson. Your read is spot on and you were trying to keep your guys employed, rightfully so they are talented and it shows in the finishing. It sucks to have to deal with those types of people but they are few and far between and a distant memory soon. Keep up the excellent workmanship 👍
Awesome that you're sharing both jobs gone right and wrong. Keep spreading the knowledge...
We learn a little from things that are successful. We learn a LOT when things have gone wrong.
File a mechanics lien on the property. Spread the word to your associates. I had a similar situation and it took three years to get paid: he wanted to refinance at a lower rate but the bank would not approve till he paid off existing liens
I have in mind another UA-cam clip where a brickie in the UK went back and tore down all the work he'd done because they stiffed him when it came time for payment.
I’m out at the first sign of a customer being crazy. Can’t work for people like that
Good life rule to follow.
amen
Yep, you gotta read the signs. Just treat it as a lesson learnt.
Or senile and stupid ones.
At some point AFTER you finished. They forgot to pay. They Block your number for no reason. They demand discount for ..... and .... . Like 80% discount because you wouldnt start on sunday. So they had to take the monday of work. Unbelievable
And so on
The Bank had made a mistake, the Bank send the money else where and so on.
Thank you for having your workers back.
When Omar was warning you about this contractor, it really felt like you was brushing him off. I know hindsight is 20/20 but he was really trying to get you to listen to his warnings.
I drove a mixer for Robertsons back in 2004, and they had issues of their own………but we ran into customers like this, trying to find any reason not to pay. Throw a lien on their property, and call it day. I watch your videos all the time, definitely a stand up company! 🔥🔥
Liens expire and you still have to sue them if they don't plan on selling the place.
@@TheKingOfInappropriateComments your correct, they do expire eventually…….but Real Property Liens last 10 years in California. The lien also automatically attaches to any other property in the debtors name, if it’s within the same county as the lien. The company that puts the lien is now the legal owner of that lien, which means they can legally proceed with a foreclosure on the property to collect. The lien also attaches to any property purchased in the future, if its within the same county. So if done correctly, they’re pretty effective………without necessarily having to sue.
How are you going to get a judgment if you don't sue? @@AUTOMOBILZ
Robertsons Concrete? No THX
@@cdawg9149 I agree
I've been a contractor for over thirty years and semi retired now. I've found a simple way of making sure I get my money. First thing every Contractor has learned when starting is that last check is always the hardest to get. To stop that nonsense I went to a 10% at signing, 1/3 at show up, 1/3 at half way point. All Change Orders are due at time of change up front. That way the final check at slightly below 1/3. It is so, so, much easier to collect because it's the lowest and a expected amount. If they hold out it's not a breaker for me because all my expences are out of the way and people paid.
That sounds good but I really had trouble understanding a lot of it can you please be a lil more clear on how the payments are made??
@@robinrodriguez480 if your doing a $10,000.00 job including tax for a client and they agree to your terms and agreement. You collect $1,000.00 (10 %) at the signing. The moment you show up to do the work or have to order materials you collect 3,300.00 (1/3 amount). They are now into you at 43% paid toward their project. You reach the half way point of completion, you now collect another 3300.00 which is the second 1/3 of contract amount. They have now paid 76% of the job so far at the halfway point. The last amount (assuming no change orders which are do right away) their final bill is only $2,400.00 24% of job . A much easier sum to get out of them then the 5,000.00 they would have owed
@@robinrodriguez480 Customer pays 10% the day the job contract is signed. 1/3 of the full amount payable when job is started. Another 1/3 halfway through the job. Any changes to job are to be paid at the time the changes are asked for. Final 1/3 due upon completion of the job, minus the initial 10%
Another thing you have to factor in is that the contractor friend who referred you to this nightmare customer, if he wasnt too close to that guy then he basically knew he was giving you a headache job.
Something I’ve learned through doing real estate and running a fence contracting company is that no deal is better than a bad deal.
Your instincts were correct but your integrity and pride still took charge. 30+ yrs California general contractor I learned to NEVER or always question doing unnecessary work that's specified by the homeowner. Gas lines and electrical conduits in CA backyards are rarely inspected when a previous contractor suddenly has left leaving dirt piles behind as a clue of a coverup and no inspection card signed off. Lessons are learned and cost me some big bucks over the years and red flags are really blaring sirens.
You’re totally a class act contractor. Totally respect your attitude & professionalism. So many opportunist out there
Agreed, always looking forward to the next good job. Just sad that there are people doing this to hard working blue collars
WOW Tim you & your crew did a fantastic job, I hope you find justice from the Courts as you need to sue this customer. Any honest person could watch your video & see what a great job you did & What you had to deal with.
You should require a 50% down payment before you even start the job......then another 25% along the way....then the balance upon completion.
I usually do 10% at the start but yeah might have to start doing a bigger deposit
@@OdellCompleteConcrete Nothing wrong with asking for a larger sum on the day you arrive. No $, no start.
I wouldn't ever pay a contractor 50% of a job for anything at all to start off.
@@OdellCompleteConcrete Check your local laws. Most states have a cap on the percentage you can ask for down.
Usually you can charge 10% up front per state contractor law, but then you can have all your materials charged on day one as long as you bring them out.
The work is Superb!!!
First and Last Time a NutJob takes advantage of You❤ Lessons Learned
I'm a tile contractor and I can tell you that I don't pick up one tool until half my money is paid up front, my customer can only rip me off for the last half but I never work for free.
Not sure if you guys ever charged anything up front or you get paid one lump sum at the end, guess I'll have to stay tuned to part two😏👌🏻
@@BenWW27 22 years in business and every job I get half up front, or I simply walk away, my customers look for me I don't look for them so if they don't trust me they shouldn't hire me.
@@StarrTile They trust you but you do not trust them, an interesting paradox.
@@BenWW27 I paid 50% to the guy who built me a front porch and put on new siding. Might be different around here than many places. Not a lot of contractors and he had been working for many years. It's not a big place subjectively speaking. He wouldn't want the trouble. I have no idea how it works in well populated areas.
Legends, that’s some amazing work. Hold these assholes accountable. Taking advantage of the vulnerable man providing for the family. Thanks for sharing and creating awareness.
The first time he started giving you crap is when you should have just stopped and told him this isn't going to work out and needs to find someone else. If he refuses to pay just tell him no problem, you'll just file a mechanic's lien on the house. As a contractor I'm sure he knows how that works.
People Like U Will Always Get....
U Did A Good job.
Great job keeping your cool and being professional. Sounds like a really tough situation and terrible customer.
Yeah I try but it’s tough
A difficult, shady thief in California? No way!!! Sorry man, keep up the good work and cant wait for the follow up
The work you and the crew did looks awesome!
I think so too!
havent seen part two yet but the work you did looks perfectly fine to me
My Son-in-Law owns a concrete company with His Brother in the Midwest. He had a person just like this divisive scammer customer except the Son-in-Law's customer was of the slightly violent and a very vocal type. Contractors in the area are now wary of him. If you can't be friendly, reasonable, and one who tries to stiff on the bill, it is going to cost you a lot more or you are going to have to do it yourself. And there are a lot of contractors that " will not " do business with him.
If you're not Italian, you should be. You do excellent work. Respect. You have great employees too.
If it was me in the cover of night I would hire one of the friends who don’t live here come up for a day and concrete the pipe that enters street!
Oooo. That would clog the drain pipe ? Interesting idea. Hahah.
Your work is amazing.. That client doesn't deserve you
I get 50% up front. If they don’t pay the balance put a lien on their home. It’s money in the bank. You’ll get paid if they ever want to sell or refinance or borrow money on the house.
The dude did his own utility and wall work and it shows. He obviously didn't want to pull permits and go through inspection.
Looks like a great work crew and great job you deserved all your pay. Stay clear of picky customers require 50 percent up front so you cover your basics😮 sorry for your loss
As a contractor he knows exactly what he was doing. He was setting you up before you even got there. He knew it was hard labor and figured out how to get it done for free.
Great job from Tim and the crew.
Start charging the customer an interruption fee. And make him submit all changes in writing. If you tell them this up front and is in your contact agreement and the customer signs it, your covered and I like the comment another person made about 50% up front and I’ve had contractors actually submit a bill at then of business day and if I didn’t pay they don’t come back till I did. Then again it’s all different here in California.
I agree! I always get 50% up front with new customers, and progression payment after that. That way you cover your material and labor as you go, and what’s left on the end is the profit. If you lose some profit, at least you paid your bills.
10% or $1000.00 whichever is greater by calif. law..... but you can include progress payments as work is performed
@@shirleylanier4351 only 10%??? That’s crazy! So as soon as you order material, your in the red. I would definitely get the 10%, have the customer pay for their own materials, and my first progressive payment would be 40% due the first time my vans/ trucks arrive on site lol
@@mattingegneri1077too many shady contractors took the money and ran, leaving the customer in the lurch.
Always go with your gut. I have been there to many times. But we always learn the hard way
Definitely a bigger up front, then an interim payment before the pour. That way if they don't pay at the beginning, you walk away. If no interim payment, at least youve covered your costs up to then. The interim payment would cover the concrete cost and a bit of yours. So if this ever happens occasionally, you've lost nothing. Of the customer doesn't agree to your terms of business, then move on to the next job, simple.
I think perhaps you need to be a little more sinical about customers, then if they prove you wrong, then great. Its not a bad way of being. You should always be looking for red flags on every job.
That way you protect you and your guys.
Iys just a thought.
Your a decent guy, and people like that look for decent guys because they know they can take advantage of your good nature 👍 take care and best wishes to you and your guys.
California only take 10%
I am a contractor too!….ALWAYS get progress payments not too ahead and not too behind so neither party is highly over leveraged….protects both
40 years experience as a general contractor and I admit I never could tell for sure when a customer wasn't going to pay until its happening right before my eyes. Mechanic lien's are only valid if submitted before a job starts, permits are in place to protect the homeowner, and in my area drainage required a permit w/ 2 sets of drawings. Anyway, best advise is to always create a paper trail on big and small jobs. Always submit a material list prior to start and note that more materials will cost more. Cash jobs are great until there's a problem, it's a business so a check is better, and buy the way on jobs I thought would be problematic I requested the homeowner write out the check, I only want a photo of the check and they could hold it until the job was completed. If it was say 3 payments, write 3 checks and I'll photograph them, then collect according to the payment schedule. Different states are different laws. Civil court could mean mediation and that could mean Monty Hall Let's Make a Deal. Also in Civil court, whoever files 1st is usually right, so you should have filed already, paid the filing fee and and US mailed the writ to the homeowner using 3 forms of mailing, and note these additional fees are on top of the payment owed. Never stop a job in the middle for non payment, that the worst thing to do, because they can sue the contractor. Instead, you file a motion in civil court for non payment and remove it once payment is made including the filing fee. I had a few that didn't want to pay, a few that I sued to get paid, and a few that it cost triple the original amount after judgements were ordered, but I always got paid.
Seems like your crew did a good job, kept the work area clean and did so under some weird circumstances as well as got the job prepped quickly. Put a lien on his house if he didn't pay......or show up with the jackhammer!
I saw the other video of the actual pour, which looked professional. I too had my own contracting business & have had my share of working for nitpicking pedantic people. Understand it is a pretense to try to get you to lower your price (inadvertently using his wheelbarrow is an extreme example). What I've learned is people are creatures of habit, for better or worse, we can't help it. Your observation that he didn't have the guys that did the patio slab back was a clue, although in hindsight it becomes more obvious. With the technology we have at our fingertips do a background check. Hard lessons learned.
HVAC contractor. Worst job I ever had was for another contractor. He was smarmy big-headed, thought he could cheat me. Was on the phone while I was working yelling at people over the phone. His wife phoned me at night during the job and literally screamed at the top of her lungs with a shreik that would curdle blood. They were also poor pay and complained about the job to get $$ off. It was a nightmare. I had done a similar job for his neighbor who referred me to this dude. Most of my work was word of mouth. But this dude was ignorant. Probably still is.
These guys are all the same. CON ARTISTS. Yelling on the phone, hoovering over your job complaining, super unprofessional, and cheap! Wanna be contractors.
When I had my driveway done I went outside and offered the guys some cold drinks. They did a great job.
Looks like you guys did awesome work so far.....
I think so too!
Sorry you have to encounter that kind of people. I had a job once helping out a home remodeler so I know how hard this work can be, and then to not get paid in the end.
ONE FOOT ON CENTER REBAR FOR YOUR BACK YARD PATIO? LOL YEA HE WAS NEVER GOING TO PAY
I wouldn't pay either. Some of that rebar looked 13, even 14 inches apart.
@@JusticeForce 📏📏📏
New to the party here! And new subscriber! Fascinating two parter video here.. hence my subscription, looking forward to watching some of your others. This customer, woah, that is something. I’ve had similar but nothing to the level you describe here.. he was out to get you from the off, you can do ultimate perfecperfection but it’ll never be right for such people, they’ve an agenda, and probably some mental illness. You did such a fantastic job, made me laugh when you said “we’re getting out today” absolutely hear ya there.. you can’t afford to rack up man hours on such crazy persons as this.. all hands on deck, get the bill in and get the hell outta there. U did amazing, I feel for you. Chin up!
He has a nice house. It bothers me that a dishonest person can be this successful....I bet he feels no shame taking advantage of people. You know, criminals that do home invasions do not feel amy shame either...
do you have a video of how you put drain under sidewalk?
As soon as you saw the pool wasn’t done you should have not bided on the job.
This was cool to watch. Sorry you have to deal with people like this
The first mistake is a car salesman doesn't buy a car from another car salesman because you know something is wrong with the car. Secondly, you should have listened to your employee instead of "yaing" him, especially if he's a good employee. Should have huddled your guys and had a talk like be extra neat and stay on your toes on this job.
Absolutely
Life lesson- written estimates with detailed info describing the work & materials that will be used
Upgraded all my contracts after this one
You did everything right. That guy is a crook! I work on yachts in marina del rey and there are boat owners like this too! Male and female!
I’m 7 years a part-time crawlspace contractor . I work almost exclusively on referrals . When I go to look at the job, I’m sizing up the client much more so than the job. Funny story, at one inspection, I did not get to spend enough time with HIM so I made up an excuse to come back and when I got out of the truck he asked me “ Can I ask the reason for the visit?” I said for measurements. Later we laughed about it while he was feeding me tacos in his garage. Great guy, but I needed to know that before I did work. Gotta get signed clear agreements and gotta be in their hip pocket. Another time we pulled off if a job after finding out he had fired three contractors. One was a concrete driveway. I didn’t see anything wrong. No way were we doing it. Pulled out in the SNOW. Sorry you got beat. Also I use a $20 per month service. Truthfinder (I think). Never been beat.
That sucks mate. Shane even dug a hole to China for that guy 😢
i Concur
asking for trouble when #4 rebar is used in a 4inch slab
Im currently building a new ICF house. I refuse to pay up front BUT my contract is as follows.
Customer directly pays all vendor invoices and all invoices are in customers name with delivery address to customers house. Weekly labor for crew is paid every Friday by customer. Contractor is paid in 4 draws for their time/labor.
This has worked great for me the customer and my contractor. We both feel protected and have skin in the game and incentive for the project to get completed. Additional my contractor isn’t paying up front out of pocket for anything, only his time ordering all materials, managing the project, and experience is reimbursed. My house is coming along nicely and on budget. It’s so sad there are thief’s on both sides. It makes it so difficult for honest people just looking to work and hire workers to be able to do business.
I’m really sorry the customer did this to you. 1 thing is true, not all contractors OR customers are bad, but the bad ones are hurting everyone’s reputation.
Lesson learned!! 👍 Been there myself!!! You keep trying your best,,,,& then you realise ,,,,,,, it’s just a job,,,,,, nothing is worth this amount of hassle & stress,,,,,,,walk away👍👍👍👍
Nice work on part one👍👍👍👍👍🇬🇧Manchester England 🇬🇧
Quick question. Did that existing patio slab also have 10” of road base and sand?
Sorry this happened to you. I was a contractor for 15 years. Fortunately I only got ripped off a couple of times. It hurts especially when you do a good job. The finished job looked great.
I'm sorry you had to go through all that brother, keep doing what you do bro, what you do to others, others will do to you... The owner will learn that verse one day..
You did a fantastic job it looks brilliant.personally I would name and shame that deceiving homeowner he needs to be taught a lesson.
File a lien on his property for non-payment if local laws allow it. You did an excellent job documenting the work you've done that should greatly help when suing this clearly corrupt and abusive client. What an opportunitic jerk!
I’m a GC in NY. I would never, not in a million years, treat someone that way. I prefer to work with the other GC’s and contractors around me, to make sure we all can have good jobs and make a good living.
😢 dude I dealt with the same type of mother trucker. That's when I started getting half of the bid up front from everyone even my mother. I was a general contractor for 30 years. In the construction field for 45, my dad was a general contractor. We've all been screwed before but it's really hard to take when it's from another contractor, especially one that doesn't know what the hell they're doing. Now I just work for my family for free. I do get free meals!
This was more entertaining than anything Disney is putting out HA
make sure to send a link for the video to the local council/town building inspector with a comment look at the gas line at 5:40, he will be paying to have that awesome slab cut up to fix the gas and electrics that are not up to code, and they might have a close look at what else he's cut corners on
here in Australia the water, gas, phone and electric MUST be 600mm below (2 foot).
You guys did a great job.
Wow, you guys did an amazing job in a complicated area.
Did you not have a draw schedule where you take 50% upfront another 25 when you’re 50% done 20% on your 75% done leaving only 5% for the final payment . I’ve been stiff once or twice and we change the way we do our business if they have an issue with that payment schedule I don’t take the job, it’s too costly. 90%of my work is word-of-mouth so we’ve been lucky so far but in terms of being stiffed I can’t stand people who watch people work their asses off all day long planning to rob them because that’s what it is robbery it’s despicable. I hope it worked out well for you Godspeed.
I hope you passed the word to all your other contractor friends and especially the one contractor who recommended you to this cheap guy !!, glad you had all the video evidence to use for a court case !!
Your team was amazing and the job was stellar. I would love to have your company do work for me anytime. I’m sure any judge will see what this joker is trying to get away with.
You guys do awesome work! Unreal!
Job well done, sorry that you got treated poorly. It’s a double edged sword on getting paid and requiring partial payment up front. I have paid 50% upfront a few times and got burned several times. Myself as a consumer will never do that again. I have always thought that if the contractor can’t manage his money he isn’t a contractor that you should use. However after seeing this I have a better understanding
I noticed you use wooden pegs have you ever tried Star pickets we use them and tac screws you can reuse the screws multiple times the pickets can be dangerous and cut you so the yellow caps on the top you can get a lot longer tac screws are so good very fast and cost effective