My client's check bounced on a $4,200 kitchen remodel, so I started texting before every drop

Dakota Singh · 2026-09-16T23:55:05.032222+00:00

Had a job over in Beaverton where the homeowner's check bounced two days after I dropped off the cabinet doors, and I was already $1,800 into material. I was sitting in my truck in their driveway when the bank app pinged me, and I just sat there for a minute trying to figure out how to knock on that door without making it weird. What I did was call the supplier first and put a hold on the next order, then sent a short text instead of a call so there was a paper trail. Turns out it was a payroll mixup on their end and they wired the whole $4,200 plus the late fee by that Friday. Since then I ask for half up front and text a photo of the receipt before every material drop, and I have not eaten a bad check in eight months. Curious if other guys here collect a deposit before ordering, or do you float it and hope for the best?

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My client's check bounced on a $4,200 kitchen remodel, so I started texting before every drop | Contractors Hub - Discusd