I’m an independent heavy construction and mining equipment mechanic. After 35 years in the industry I recently because of many opportunities blocked or no longer available because of the Covid problem I finally took the long overdue leap into going Independent and starting my own business. It’s not a cheap start up with a service truck to perform any of the tasks associated with the job costing around 200K new. I’m not bougie like that so I didn’t need new but let’s just say I don’t have much capital starting off to carry customers unpaid invoices out 30 days. I verbally agree with my customers before I start any job that I will be billing weekly and payment is due upon receipt of invoice but if they’re paying me the following week as the next invoice is being submitted I’m happy and they’re ok with it or sometimes we may agree on something else. Either way billing and payment is discussed when they contact me to do a job. I’ve also worked for or with many of my customers at some time over the years as an employee, co-worker, or their supervisor. I’m currently dealing with a non payment of around $3500 for some work I performed for a small company. The equipment I worked on is owned by someone who worked at the same company I did for the past 20 years. He was there for about 7 years before starting his own construction company so having worked with him previously and gotten to know him well I had no reason to suspect he would be the one to stiff me on a bill. I know there will be those who will or will try but regardless I try and not take jobs from companies that are not known or referenced to me. So I’m looking around seeing what I can do to collect or possibly put a lien on his motor grader to get him to pay. I see mechanic lien and think that has to be a suitable process but everything I am finding, videos specifically are talking about construction projects and contractors and materials etc. Can an Independent actual professional mechanic file a mechanic lien or is it just for auto shops and general construction contractors? If a mechanic can’t file a mechanic lien what are my options. This customer won’t answer phone calls or respond to emails and the verbal agreement of submit the invoices each week and give me a week to get you a check is now at the 30 day for 2 invoices and 3 more reaching the 30 day mark next week. Like I said in the beginning with very little start up capital (money in the bank) being stiffed for $3500 at this point in my venture is something that doesn’t get worked through without a scratch or two. Just curious if I suck it up and make it up by working longer and harder days or can I recover what is owed easily and fairly quickly?