Legal Question in Business Law in Wisconsin

accounts receivable

I'm a remodeling contractor. I currently have a client who is refusing to pay me because he says he is not totally pleased with my work. The problem has nothing to do with any work deficiency on my part, but was caused by the client's own customers. I've tried to compromise by offering to resolve the problem by fixing the area he is not pleased with, but he won't even talk to me, via email or telephone. I have also offered for him to deduct an amount of money from the amount due which would more than be enough to have a local contractor make the repairs. The amount owed me is approximately $2300. I plan to file a mechanic's lien, but would like to know what other recourses I may have. Please inform, and thank you.

--name removed---name removed--

*I reside in Iowa, but the job (and the problem) are in Wisconsin.


Asked on 5/21/07, 9:32 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Thomas Olson David F. Gram & Associates, LLC

Re: accounts receivable

Filing a lien is complicated, has time limits and can be expensive. The good news is that if you are successful you obtain a lien on the property on which the improvement was made.

If the customer is collectible you can file suit is small claims court with or, if you are confident you can prove your case, without an attorney's help.

Many courts provide mandatory mediation which can resolve cases. Trials are often heard quickly. And the rules of evidence are relaxed making the process cheaper and easier. The bad new is that you give up your statutory lien, so you would want to be confident that you can collect the judgment

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Answered on 5/21/07, 10:00 am


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