Homeowner is moving 2000 miles away;would you do an install for him ?

[hvacfella]

Homeowner who ive done a furnace checkup for in the past, is getting transferred 2000 miles away within the continental U.S. and has to leave immediately. Furnace has bad heat exchanger now and new owner wants the Seller to install a new furnace before the move-in date. Seller wants me to do the job and to 'just bill him when done ' (at his new location 2000 miles away). Getting a red-flag, i said to him :' I would need full payment in advance im afraid, or, be cut a check at Closing with me stopping by to pick it up' (on the Closing date and location). He didnt like that too much.

Was there a better way of handling this thing ??? I dont trust the guy 100 percent and dont want to get cheated.

Thanks.

[dec]

Have it set up with the title company that you get paid before it closes. If the guy has a problem so what its his problem. You will be a lot more pissed if you get burnt. Its a piece of cake for the title company so in all reality, he is probably trying to stiff you.

[framehvac]

Do a speciel contract with him if he doesn't pay then the guy that buys the house will pay you just look at your state lien laws he cann't sell his house if he owes you money.

[Roscoe]

dec has it correct we have done this without any problems. Have them cut you a check at settlement

[vmc1161]

Keep his wife till the jobs done and paid for. We did a condenser change out for a guy in the NHL same thing he was traded and they were moving right away, guys got the money but ended up not paying. We ended up calling the front office of both teams and they got him to pay. Took about five or six months and many phone calls, never again it's money up front or a set binding agreement.

[Dowadudda]

Just bill him? After he is 2000 miles away? It costs a lot to move even if who he works for moves him. He still has to get the lights on and set up cable and such and rent and or downpayment on a mortgage or whatever. He'll be broke once he moves.

And he didn't like the idea of setting it up for payment via the title company prior to close? Which by the way would be the best proffesional way to do it. After you handled the matter with giving him 2 options, of which both require his committed responsibility, he still balked? I mean it don't take a whole lotta smarts to realize that, even if the guy is the most honest there is, you need to feed your family, not on what if's, but for sures.

Even if work is tight right now. Thats when these kinds of situations seem most tempting. Discipline yourself. Go create work from others.

[framehvac]

setting it up for payment via the title company prior to close? Which by the way would be the best proffesional way to do it.

I agree.

[dec]

Originally posted by vmc1161
Keep his wife till the jobs done and paid for. We did a condenser change out for a guy in the NHL same thing he was traded and they were moving right away, guys got the money but ended up not paying. We ended up calling the front office of both teams and they got him to pay. Took about five or six months and many phone calls, never again it's money up front or a set binding agreement.

I dont think I would keep his wife, she may not be going anyway wether she knows it or not. If you do the furnace she may be the one there when your doing it and when you bring up about her moving she will probably come back with......MOVING ,WHY WOULD YOU THINK IM MOVING?

[The Penguin]

If you didn't get a cheque in advanced or payment at closing you will be burt Id bet on it

The guy wants a furnace he pays. this has got to be the last trade where this is still "acceptable way of business"
lets see car repair nope you pay or no car
lawyers you pay or no work
doctors you pay or no diagnosis
dentists you pay or no drilling
stores you pay or go to jail
rental cars you pay or no car
airlines ETC

Ok lets all put our heads together and come up with situations were you get the service and or goods before payment is rendered.

[42yrs exp]

The only solutions is FULL PAYMENT UP FRONT. Sure there are other solutions, but your asking for trouble.If you get involved in a legal situation it may cost you more than it is worth.

However,If you are so hard up for work or money and must do the job get at least 75% payment up front in cash. the other 25% paid to you by the title company. NO GUARANTEE on work or equipment until paid in full.

If you get burnt for the other 25% at least you can pay for the equipment with a little left over. And remember, no guarantee until paid in full. So if it breaks down or doesn't work right you are off the hook.

P.S. don't be a fool.

Good luck

[1manband]

There has to be a reason the guy doesn't want to pay!