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.

If you supply construction materials and/or equipment then you likely have encountered a joint check agreement.  For those that have not yet encountered this arrangement, a joint check agreement is a credit facility frequently used to help subcontractors with unestablished credit obtain supplies and services on credit from a supply house.  For example, if you