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The PDF That Scared My GC Into Paying (What to Include)

The PDF That Scared My GC Into Paying (What to Include)

When a GC ghosts you for 60+ days, you need leverage. Not threats. Not lawyers (yet). Just a professional PDF that shows you're serious.

Here's what worked for me:

The Payment Demand Packet (Template):

1. Cover Letter (Professional, No Emotion)

"Dear [GC Name],

This letter serves as formal notice that payment for Invoice #12345 ($15,000) is now 67 days overdue. Attached is a complete record of work performed, approvals received, and communications sent.

Please remit payment within 10 business days to avoid further action.

Respectfully,
[Your Name]"

2. Timeline of Work (Dates Matter)

  • Feb 1: Job started, initial scope confirmed
  • Feb 8: Super requested additional circuits (verbal approval, documented same day)
  • Feb 15: Work completed, photos sent
  • Feb 16: Invoice #12345 sent ($15,000)
  • Mar 15: Payment due (Net 30)
  • Apr 15: Payment 30 days late, first follow-up
  • May 1: Payment 60 days late, this letter sent

3. Proof of Approvals (This is the Weapon)

  • Screenshot of text: "Yeah go ahead with those extra circuits - Super Dave"
  • Email recap sent same day: "Per our conversation, adding 2x 20A circuits..."
  • Photos timestamped showing the work

4. Copies of All Invoices

  • Original invoice
  • Follow-up invoices with "PAST DUE" stamps

5. Professional Closing (The Implied Threat)

"I have maintained complete documentation throughout this project and am prepared to pursue all available remedies to collect payment owed."

Translation: I'm ready to go to court, and I have everything I need to win.

Why This Works:

This PDF shows:

  • You're organized (not emotional)
  • You have evidence (not just complaints)
  • You're serious (not going away)
  • You're ready for court (expensive for them)

Most GCs pay within a week of receiving this. Not because they're nice. Because the risk calculation changed.

The Problem:

Creating this packet takes hours. Digging through texts, emails, photos, notes. Formatting everything professionally.

By the time you're 60 days late, you're pissed off and exhausted. The last thing you want to do is spend 4 hours building a PDF.

That's why most tradies never do it. And that's why GCs keep getting away with late payments.

The fix: document as you go. Not at the end. Every site visit = one professional PDF. Every change order = documented same day. When payment is late, you already have 90% of the packet ready.