At The Cromeens Law Firm in Ontario, California, we help construction professionals recover unpaid balances quickly and legally. We specialize in subcontractor payment collection, material supplier recovery, and general contractor disputes. Whether you’re owed $3,000 or $3 million, we understand California’s complex debt collection regulations and offer fast, strategic solutions to protect your rights.
With a 90% success rate in collections before litigation, we serve clients throughout the Inland Empire, including Ontario, one of Southern California’s fastest-growing construction and logistics hubs.
California’s debt collection laws are among the nation’s most complex. They include licensing requirements, enhanced consumer protections, and new 2025 commercial debt collection regulations that can turn a simple collection into a legal nightmare.
For subcontractors, the stakes are even higher because you’re often at the bottom of complex payment chains where delays cascade down from property owners through general contractors to you.
You could face penalties instead of payment if you miss one compliance requirement.
Payment Chain Complexity:
Strict Licensing Requirements:
Unforgiving Deadlines:
Regulatory Compliance Minefield:
With California’s unforgiving regulatory landscape, you need a legal partner that understands the California Civil Code and the Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act inside and out.
Phase 1: Immediate Assessment & Compliance Check We review your subcontractor agreements and change orders to confirm collection eligibility, assess California regulatory requirements, and calculate key deadlines under California’s complex timeline structure, especially the critical 20-day preliminary notice window.
Phase 2: Strategic Filing & Notice We ensure your documents comply with California’s strict notice requirements for subcontractors, file with San Bernardino County courts, and serve all parties correctly under California law, preserving your rights while maintaining full regulatory compliance.
Phase 3: Aggressive Collection Actions From compliance-focused demand letters targeting general contractors to lien-backed settlement negotiations, we work to resolve your case before court becomes necessary, all while navigating California’s enhanced consumer protection landscape.
Phase 4: Alternative Recovery Strategies Did you miss a deadline or lose lien rights? We can still help subcontractors through breach of contract claims, unjust enrichment, quantum meruit recovery, or bond claims, all while ensuring California regulatory compliance.
Ontario sits at the heart of the exploding Inland Empire construction market, creating unique challenges for subcontractors:
Logistics Hub Growth: Over 50 million sq. ft. of industrial space under development means massive warehouse and distribution center projects with complex mechanical, electrical, and specialty systems, but also extended payment chains where subcontractors often wait months for payment.
Residential Expansion: Median home prices now at $675,000, with 8.2% YoY growth, means high-volume residential projects where subcontractors face tight margins and cash flow pressure when payments are delayed.
Commercial Development: Major mixed-use projects transforming downtown Ontario involve multiple specialty trades, creating complex coordination challenges and payment disputes between general contractors and subcontractors.
Infrastructure Investment: The expansion of Ontario International Airport is driving massive construction activity, but public projects often involve prevailing wage requirements and complex bonding that can complicate subcontractor payment processes.
For subcontractors in Ontario’s booming market, rapid growth often means:
In California’s regulatory environment, subcontractors can’t afford to wait months or years to recover what they’re owed while managing cash flow for ongoing projects.
For a set fee, we train your Ontario-based subcontracting team on how to manage collections in-house while maintaining California compliance:
Don’t want to deal with California’s complex regulations and licensing requirements or chase down payments from general contractors? We’ll handle it all for a monthly flat rate:
Subcontractors Our primary focus. Specialized payment collection from general contractors and property owners, preliminary notice compliance, lien rights protection, and debt recovery strategies for all specialty trades including electrical, plumbing, HVAC, concrete, steel, drywall, roofing, and more.
Material Suppliers Leverage stop payment notices and lien rights effectively, navigate complex delivery and payment terms with contractors.
Specialty Trade Contractors Address unique payment challenges for specialized services, equipment rentals, and technical installations.
General Contractors Recover from property owners and coordinate payment disputes, though our expertise particularly shines in subcontractor relations.
Project Managers & Builders Comprehensive collection strategies for complex projects involving multiple subcontractor relationships.
Whether you installed the electrical systems, poured the concrete, or delivered the materials, we’ll help ensure you get paid while staying compliant with California’s demanding regulatory environment.
Specialized California Subcontractor Focus: We specialize in subcontractor collections under California law, not general debt collection practice. We understand the unique challenges subcontractors face in complex payment chains.
California-Licensed Attorneys with Local Knowledge. We know Ontario, the Inland Empire construction market, its players, San Bernardino County court systems, and the common payment disputes that trap subcontractors in lengthy collection battles.
Proven Success in California’s Complex Environment: 90% of our collections are resolved before litigation, from $3,000 to $3,000,000, all while maintaining full California regulatory compliance. We’ve helped hundreds of subcontractors recover millions in unpaid invoices.
Regulatory Expertise: Deep understanding of DCLA requirements, new 2025 regulations, and enhanced consumer protection laws that specifically affect subcontractor collections and lien rights.
If you’re a subcontractor in the Ontario construction industry struggling to collect from general contractors while navigating California’s regulatory maze, time and compliance aren’t on your side.
Call (909) 234-5678 for a free consultation and protect your payment rights under California law.
3281 E Guasti Rd 7th Floor, Ontario, CA 91761, United States
Open 24 hours
We offer a pay as you go option through our general retainer, where you can pay for each step individually.
Includes extensive research, collection calls to all parties, intent letters sent via certified mail, and the lien filing.
Unlimited lien and collections support through our monthly subscription plan. Never let a job go unpaid again!
Once you become a client of The Cromeens Law Firm, we are your one-stop shop for any legal issues that arise.
California provides a 4-year statute of limitations for written contracts, longer than many states. However, oral agreements only have 2 years. New 2025 commercial debt collection regulations may affect collection strategies for amounts under $500,000.
California’s Debt Collection Licensing Act (DCLA) requires licensing for third-party collectors. As the original creditor collecting your own debts, you typically don’t need a license, but our attorneys ensure all activities comply with California’s strict requirements.
Ontario’s position as a major logistics hub creates unique challenges: complex multi-party arrangements, fast-moving project timelines, and concentration of large distribution centers often involve multi-tier structures that complicate collection efforts.
Potentially yes, if you have written contracts. California’s 4-year statute means 2021 debts may still be collectible, but time is running out. We recommend immediate action, especially given California’s enhanced documentation requirements.
California law can still apply if work was performed in Ontario or your contract specifies California jurisdiction. Interstate collection involves multiple state laws and licensing requirements—our team has experience with multi-state matters.
New regulations primarily affect commercial debts under $500,000, requiring enhanced documentation and specific procedures. Our attorneys ensure full compliance while maximizing your collection success.
California subcontractors face unique challenges: strict 20-day preliminary notice requirements, complex payment chain disputes, and enhanced consumer protection laws. Our subcontractor collection attorneys understand these specialized requirements and have helped recover millions for California subcontractors while maintaining full regulatory compliance.
Yes, often you still have options. While missing the preliminary notice deadline may affect your lien rights, you may still have claims for breach of contract, unjust enrichment, or quantum meruit. Our attorneys specialize in alternative recovery strategies for subcontractors who face deadline challenges.
This content is for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. California debt collection laws are complex and fact-specific. Consult a qualified attorney to discuss your unique circumstances.
