Review the account and the disagreement. Start with the signed contract, purchase orders, approved changes, invoices, payment applications, and account ledger. Work records, delivery tickets, photographs, and correspondence can help show what was provided and why the other party disputes payment. Identify the amount originally billed, payments received, credits allowed, and the balance you believe remains due. Keep the original records, including messages about promised payments or objections.

Consider the project and possible recovery routes. A contract collection claim, a mechanic’s lien matter on a qualifying private project, and a payment-bond claim on an applicable public project involve different considerations. Not every unpaid account qualifies for every remedy. The project type, your role, the agreements, and the available records all need review. Notice and filing requirements may affect your options, so seek advice promptly rather than assuming a payment discussion preserves a claim.

Choose a response that fits your business. Our attorneys discuss the disputed issues and your priorities, including whether the project is continuing and whether preserving a commercial relationship matters. Depending on the circumstances, the next step may involve clarifying the account, negotiating a resolution, pursuing a lien or bond matter, or litigation. The goal is an informed decision based on the facts, the amount involved, and the practical considerations of collection.

Learn more about our construction law services, construction representation in St. Louis, contract dispute representation, and commercial debt collection.