Collection Agency for Plumbers & Contractors: Unpaid Bills

Your Customers Aren’t “Late”—They’re Using You as a Zero-Interest Bank!

In the trades—whether you’re clearing drains, installing HVAC systems, or framing additions—every unpaid invoice is a direct hit to your personal pocket. You already paid for the copper. You already paid your crew’s Friday payroll. You already paid for the gas in the truck.

When a customer ghosts your calls or “forgets” to send the check, you are literally funding their lifestyle with your hard-earned cash. Chasing money isn’t just annoying; it’s a second, unpaid job that keeps you away from your next billable project. It’s time to stop being the neighborhood’s free credit line and start getting paid like a professional.

Nexa is the recovery partner for plumbers, electricians, and general contractors. We offer a $15 fixed-fee demand service that gets you paid without ruining the referral-heavy reputation you’ve built.

Stop Funding Your Clients. Start Collecting Today

The Tradesman’s “Aha!” Strategy: 3 Moves to Secure Your Cash

1. The “Final Walkthrough” is Your Insurance Policy

The #1 reason residential customers withhold payment is “minor dissatisfaction”—often a $50 fix used to hold up a $5,000 invoice.

The Move: Never leave a site without a signed Certificate of Completion.
The “Aha!” Factor: When a debtor tries to claim the work was “substandard” to a collector later, that signed document is your “Get Out of Jail Free” card. It turns a subjective argument into an objective debt.

2. Watch the 90-Day “Lien Cliff”

Most contractors wait far too long to get serious. In many states, your legal right to file a Mechanic’s Lien expires exactly 90 days after your last day on the job.

The Move: If the check isn’t in your hand by day 45, the account is officially at risk.
The “Aha!” Factor: Nexa’s $15 Fixed-Fee Service triggers a formal agency demand on day 46. It sends a signal that you aren’t just “some guy in a truck”—you’re a business with a legal team.

3. Conditional Lien Waivers: The Safe Middle Ground

Customers often refuse to pay because they fear you’ll file a lien after they pay.

The Move: Offer a Conditional Lien Waiver.
The “Aha!” Factor: This document says: “My right to file a lien is gone as soon as this check clears.” It removes the customer’s last excuse for withholding the funds.

Cost-Effective Recovery (No Onboarding Fees)

Fixed-Fee Recovery ($15/account): We send professional, firm demands under our agency name. The customer pays 100% directly to you. You keep every dollar recovered.
Contingency Fee (20%–40%): For the accounts that require “diplomatic” phone calls and deeper skip-tracing. No Recovery = No Fee.

Industries We Serve

Plumbing & Rooter: Rapid recovery for high-volume residential calls.
HVAC & Mechanical: Managing high-value equipment invoices and maintenance contracts.
Electrical & Solar: Navigating complex commercial progress payments.
Restoration & Remediation: Expertise in handling “Insurance-Check” withholding disputes.
General Contracting & Sub-Trades: Securing the payment chain between the GC and the homeowner.

Recent Trade Success Stories

The “Punch List” Blockade:
A kitchen remodeler was owed $12,000. The customer refused to pay because of a loose cabinet handle. Nexa used Amicable Mediation to secure the $11,800 undisputed portion in 10 days, allowing the contractor to fix the handle and move on.
The Ghosting Homeowner:
An electrician completed a full panel upgrade ($4,500) and was blocked on the customer’s phone. Nexa’s Fixed-Fee Demand reached the customer’s spouse; the full payment was mailed within 48 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. “I don’t have a written contract. Can I still collect?”
Yes. While a written contract is best, a series of text messages, emails, or even a signed work order can serve as evidence of an “agreement to pay.” We specialize in building cases out of unconventional documentation.

2. “What if the customer claims my work was bad?”
This is the most common “defensive” tactic. We act as a third-party mediator. By asking the customer for specific documentation of the “bad work,” we often expose the claim as a stall tactic, allowing us to pivot back to the payment demand.

3. “I’m afraid of a bad Google/Yelp review if I send them to collections.
“ Our “Amicable First” strategy is designed to preserve your reputation. We don’t use “strong-arm” tactics; we use professional business mediation. Most customers respect a firm business approach and will settle the debt once a third party is involved.

4. “How do I know when it’s time to stop calling them myself?”
If you have called three times and been promised a check that never arrived, you are being “managed.” Stop wasting your billable hours. Hand the account to Nexa so you can get back to the job site.

Contractor Debt Recovery: Stop Funding Your Customers’ Projects