Get the project information up front

You should ask your customer for the owner’s name and address, the location of the project, a copy of the payment bond (if any), and the general contractor’s name and address (if you are a second tier subcontractor or supplier).  Having this information at the outset will help you quickly send out bond and lien notices if the new customer falls behind on making payments.

Require a Credit Application

Request that the customer sign a credit application.  The credit application should include the contact information of the customer, references, the name of the customer’s bank, and favorable terms and conditions.  The credit application should also include the information necessary for you to run a credit check.  Make sure the credit application is signed by an officer of the customer or someone else authorized to bind the company.

Get a personal guaranty

Request a personal guaranty from an officer or interest holder of your customer.  The most opportune time to acquire a personal guaranty is on the front end when the customer is applying for credit.  You should consider attaching the guaranty to the credit application or incorporating the personal guaranty therein.

Read (and revise) the subcontract carefully

Strike or modify clauses that weaken your rights to payment, such as contingent payment clauses, lien waivers, and broad termination clauses, and make sure the indemnity clauses are even handed. 

Joint Check Agreement

Joint Check Agreements are common in the construction industry (not so in the oil and gas industry).  A typical joint check agreement provides that the customer’s customer (e.g., general contractor or the owner) will issue a check jointly made to you and your customer.  This ensures that the customer uses the funds to pay you rather than some other bill.

Draft and use invoices with favorable terms and conditions

Draft invoices with favorable and clear terms and conditions.  Such terms and conditions may not preempt your subcontract, but it may still be beneficial to have favorable terms and conditions in your transactional documents.  This is especially so if you are a supplier because suppliers often do not have a formal contract with a subcontractor.

Watch Your Notice Deadlines

If you fear non-payment and the amount justifies the legal expense, then contact an attorney immediately.  Perfecting a lien or bond claim is the best way to get paid.  These deadlines, however, pass quickly and are often difficult to calculate.  As a general rule of thumb, you should contact counsel well before the 15^th day of the second month after you furnished the labor or materials underlying the unpaid invoices.  For example, if you were not paid for labor and materials provided in June, you may be too late to perfect your lien and/or bond rights after August 15th.