The order that gets most bills paid
- Invoice the day the job ends, with before-and-after photos. On a trade forum, one washer says he tries to send photos with the invoice, especially when the customer wasn’t home. The photos are also your evidence later.
- Reminders you actually send: a friendly note, then a call, then one firm letter that lists the job, the amount, the reminders sent and what happens next.
- Collections or court. On the same forum, a washer said a few collection letters got an overdue $5,000 residential bill moving without turning it over to his collections contact. Ask any agency what it charges first.
Which rules apply depends on who owes you. The federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act defines “debt” as an obligation for personal, family or household purposes, which describes the kind of bill a homeowner owes. State collection rules may add more.
What filing costs, by claim size
Florida’s county court filing fees, as the statute lists them (each is a cap, “not to exceed”):
| Amount you’re claiming | Filing fee (cap) |
|---|---|
| Under $100 | $50 |
| $100 to $500 | $75 |
| More than $500, up to $2,500 | $170 |
| More than $2,500, up to $15,000 | $295 |
Every state sets its own small-claims limit and fees, so check your state court’s site before you file. This is general information, not legal advice; for liens or anything near your state’s limit, ask a local lawyer.
Photos at hand-off help, and bidding commercial jobs covers the vendor setup to do before the work starts. For reviews, see getting more reviews. How we check sources: methodology.
Sources
Based on 2 sources · How we price
- Florida Statutes 34.041, Filing fees (county courts): leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0034/Sections/0034.041.html
- 15 U.S.C. 1692a, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act definitions: law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1692a
