Response for Wade M 3/18/25:
Thank you again for the opportunity to clear up misconceptions about our company. It provides us the chance to set the record straight.
Estimate signed by customer states clearly (in addition to the noted 4 loads of sand included), "Any additional sand needed will be added to final invoice". The Acceptance of Proposal also states in part, "Total amount is due upon completion of work" and in capital letters, "A SERVICE CHARGE OF 1.5% PER MONTH (18% PER ANNUM) WILL BE CHARGED ON ACCOUNTS OVER 30 DAYS." Customer read and signed on June 26.
It is impossible to accurately predict how many loads of sand will be needed to complete all work - that is why it is "estimated". This job took a total of 7 loads, so customer was billed for 3 additional loads. The total lien also did not include "whatever costs we felt appropriate" - it was only the balance due plus the 1.5% on the first month payment was not made as stated on the invoice - a total of $132.75.
Estimate states "50% of Estimate due at time of signing/Balance Due Upon Completion". It also states "Visa, Mastercard and Discover payments are accepted with 3.99% interest". Customer ABSOLUTELY paid his deposit with a credit card, and did not mind that he was charged a lesser fee of 3.5% interest for the deposit payment on June 27.
The invoice for services was mailed December 31. As of December 30, the day before, the owner was still complementary, as detailed in his email to us:
It appears all work has been completed. I tipped the driver and helper from this AM. Things look fine.
1) I would like copies of the inspection reports and approval notices from the county.
2) I would also like some financial consideration, in your company's final invoice, since the old drain field was left intact and no haul away of any old piping, etc, were required. Thank you for your consideration. I make reviews of business partners I use in this market, mostly posting to sites like: Yelp, Facebook, Next Door and Google. I am hopeful that your firm gets more business from my reflections of the information I supply in these reviews for others who may need your type of service work.
In Florida, laws govern how long you have as a contractor to file a lien for payment. It was becoming clear the customer was not going to pay his bill on time OR what was fully owed, due to multiple emails/payment delay. He was told by the company owner we would file a lien if payment was not made.
The invoice was emailed December 31. We responded right away to his request for financial consideration, and granted him discounts. As of January 15, still no payment had been made, and we reached out for a status of payment. He emailed again 4 days later on January 19 and we responded. We sent a payment request AGAIN on January 30, a full month after our work was completed. We did not receive any form of payment until February 10, when he sent a check for a partial payment. At that time the owner made the decision to return the customer's check and file a lien to protect our interests and ensure payment for our work.
Communication was a constant thing with this customer, as evidenced by the numerous emails and phone calls we logged. Much of the review is fabricated, or the customer actually believes everything happened as it's described. Either way, it is unfortunate for all involved it came to this. We have been in business over 20 years in a small town. Many happy customers, repeat customers and referrals. (This customer also referred us to friends!) Only a handful of unhappy people in those 20+ years, and they are generally the ones that write reviews. Our hope is that the review readers see through what has truly happened here, and we can now move on. read more
