The Legal Column: Getting the Last Check

Getting the Last Check by David R. Glissman, Esq. Every contractor has no doubt watched in dismay as their final payment due from a job is held hostage to a punch list which changes, expands and ultimately consumes the final payment. A desire to stand by your “good reputation” gives way to the reality that your owner or general either has no intention of paying or will be forever displeased with work which was performed to specification. To make matters worse, these final payments are often a small percentage of the completed contract price and less than it would take to collect. This article gives useful tips on collecting sums due you after the job is completed and—given that collection costs would