What do I do if a customer won’t pay for pre-approved work?

Lexi, Chatbot

I'm sorry to hear about the issue with the pre-approved work on your boat. Have you already discussed this with the service provider?

Lexi, Chatbot

Can you provide more details about the pre-approved work and parts that you're being asked to pay for?

Lexi, Chatbot

Is there anything else the lawyer should know before I connect you? Rest assured they'll be able to help with non-payment issue.

Legal Eagle

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Just so you are aware, JA is a legal information only site. I do not provide representation and no attorney-client relationship is formed. My answers and comments should not be considered legal advice. It is always best to hire a local attorney to review the specifics of your particular case to ensure that a proper review is conducted.

Legal Eagle

I will try to give some thoughts...

In situations where a customer refuses to pay for pre-approved work on their boat, the central legal principle is contract law—particularly the enforceability of either express or implied contracts. If the customer authorized the work either in writing, by email or text, or verbally with clear confirmation (such as approval of an estimate or work order), that authorization forms a binding agreement. Even if the agreement was not formalized in a traditional contract, courts often recognize a legally enforceable agreement under the doctrines of implied-in-fact or implied-in-law contracts.

Under these doctrines, if the customer accepted the benefit of the services with knowledge that they were not being provided gratuitously and failed to object or revoke consent before or during the work, the customer may still be held liable for the reasonable value of the services provided. This is especially true when parts were ordered and installed specifically at the customer’s request or with their acknowledgment.

In addition to breach of contract, you may have a claim for unjust enrichment under common law, which applies when one party receives a benefit at another's expense and it would be inequitable to allow them to retain that benefit without compensation. Depending on your jurisdiction—Scottsdale, Arizona, for example—you can pursue this claim in small claims court if the amount is below the state limit (currently $3,500), or in civil court for larger amounts.

Arizona also allows mechanics or artisan's liens in some cases, which could be recorded against the boat to secure payment, but the process for doing so must comply strictly with state statute (A.R.S. § 33-1000 et seq.), including notice and timing requirements. To prepare for enforcement, make sure you document all communications, estimates, invoices, and time logs. If the dispute cannot be resolved informally, a demand letter from an attorney can be an effective next step before initiating litigation.