I did a job 2 years ago for letting agency, they said go direct to custy. Big job £350 inc vat. Massive house a barn conversion EOT clean plus carpets.
Well he wouldnt pay, 'just got back from holiday, cheque in post, Oh havent we paid you etc etc'. He stopped answering my calls i suppose when he saw my number come up.
When I was bigger I used to use a firm from Liverpool called Thomas Higgins & Co. They are specialist debt collector Solicitors. If someone bounced a cheque on me £30 or whatever just filled in form on fax and sent it. Guaranteed within 1 week payment.
Rang them up, go online they gave me a ref no, filled in form on line, customers name, address, post code (very important), amount owed for services rendered etc etc, no complaints about the work.
They send a LBA (letter before action).
Cheque came through last week direct from the custy with complete funds. Oh and a compliment slip.
They do it all on computer, no deduction for costs. I assume they make their money when it goes to court and you have to make a decission is it worth it pursuing it.
They have never let me down yet. Cant recommend them enough.
Thomas Higgins & Co, Liverpool.
Good luck.
Murky