What to do about a non payment from contractor

[JStructsteel]

Got a contractor that didnt pay. What are my recourses? Lien on the property? (seems punishing the owner a bad thing)
Contact building department, would they do anything
Small claims?

I doubt I will see the money, but would like it to sting a bit for them

 

[JStructsteel]

First one. Going forward, any first time residential contractors I work with can pay 50% up front, or find someone else.

 

[XR250]

ouldn't collect. Just guessing here, but they might use it as a means of judging the kind of clients you have, and what kind of risks you may be taking as a result. I'd be willing to bet there's a pretty solid correlation between clients that refuse to pay and clients that sue.

Interesting.
Yea, I don't recall seeing it but I may have just mindlessly checked "no"

Going forward, any first time residential contractors I work with can pay 50% up front, or find someone else.

Honestly, this might not be the best business practice. It will likely turn off many honest contractors.
I do mostly residential and I might get stiffed on 0.2% of the work in a bad year. I don't think I got stiffed at all last year. You get better at vetting clients as you garner more experience. I am also super aggressive with calling and basically bothering the shit out of folks who are late paying.

 

[JStructsteel]

XR250, I usually have plenty of repeat work. Maybe its 50% payment to get the drawings stamped after review.