In article g,
Stray Dog wrote:

Its a common problem. Next time make sure you have some kind of written
contract, make sure you get some kind of deposit (eg. 1/3 of total), and
be fully willing to threaten to put a lien on the property if you don't
get paid.

You didn't actually read the OP, did you Dog? This was "free remodeling
work for a friend." The debt involved material costs only.

BTW, unless you're a mormon, top-posting is discouraged, sometimes even
politely.