The customer WON'T Pay?!

What happens when an emergency water damage response is provided by a contractor BUT there is a disagreement when it comes time to collect payment for work completed?    The customer says, "Thank you for helping us BUT..."    Recently, one such issue came across the desk here at The DYOJO Podcast between RJ Construction (RJC) and the Arlington Independent School District (AISD).   RJC claims they dehumidified about 450,000 square feet of wet air within Sam Houston High School (Arlington, TX) for what they believed was an agreed-upon price of $2.50 per square foot, plus some expenses.    The total amount invoiced by RJC at the completion of their work was $1,245,600.    When the school district delayed on payment, owner Robert Jordan took his case to the local community and to YouTube. RJC's initial video on the dispute received over 33,000 views.    Jordan states, "​I believed the AISD board could be trusted. So, my company went into action. Over the course of days, working around the clock, Sam Houston High School was dried and dehumidified. We did the job we were hired to do."    Those watching the videos or reading the court filing with an open mind may agree that RJ Construction acted in what they perceived to be "good faith" to aid a client in need while forgoing many of their standard operating procedures.    Those reading the Fact Sheet from the school district with some experience in these circumstances will recognize waypoints in the process that may have helped both parties reach a better outcome.    Tune in on Thursdays to The DYOJO Podcast as we dig further into this story and help contractors shorten their DANG learning curve.