This is the correct answer.

If you do get this far, you hire a deputy to help with the Writ of Execution. When you go to the house with a rented U-Haul, start with all of the electronics. Collect all of the phones, tablets, laptops, TVs and gaming systems. Then go to jewelry. Find out what the guy likes to do in his time off and take it: Golf clubs, Fishing rods, hunting rifles, hunting trophies. He will quickly find the money to pay you off.
Pay the deputy well. More than the agreed upon amount. This is one guy you want on your side now and in the future.

Usually in small claims court, payment is received upon ruling. At least when I went I was paid before I left the building.

Well, if he owns a home, you could record the abstract of judgement in his county. When he tries to sell the house, you might get paid. Or you might not.

https://lonestarlandlaw.com/judgement-liens-and-the-texas-homestead/

I know of a really REALLY good collections attorney, but for the dollar amount you've mentioned, I don't think it would be worth your while to hire him.

He is licensed.

Those filing fees are like $50-$100. I'm not worried about that.

I'm going to try to work with the guy and see if we can find an amicable solution, but if he really does go this route, I want to know what my options are.

Thanks for the reply.

Record the judgement in every county he owns property and hope he sells something soon.. If not renew every 10 years until the end of time.

This is all you can do .... I have a judgement since 1994, and have never got a dime. .... I quit doing the 10 year thing long ago.

No, I'm not trying to ruin the guy. He's done a lot of good work for us over the years.

He wanted to bid a job. I told him sheet rock would be removed (because that's what my GC told me). He got there to inspect the job before bidding, and the ceiling had only been scraped, not removed. He provided a bid (just a total price, no materials or labor or stipulations that it might go up if he couldn't get it done as quick as he wanted) and then asked me if it would be removed, and I told him it wouldn't be. I told him the bid was too high and my business partner wanted a second bid. We got a 2nd bid which was lower. Because of our history, I offered to go with him if he could come close to the lower bid. He did. He wanted half ($2150) up front to cover materials.

He worked 2 days over the weekend with a helper. When he got into it, he said kitchen was more expensive than he thought, so we added $500. Then he said he was going to cut a corner in one spot (even though this specific issue was a big part of his sales pitch) because it was too much labor to fix it right. My business partner and I agree to install all the ceiling fans to save him labor there so that he could fix the panel correctly. Now we're at the point of paying $850 more than what the lower bid was, and us doing some of the work...

Next morning he asks for $1350 more cash now because of having to pay his helper and materials being high. I sent that. A couple hours later, he sends me a cost estimate that's $2k higher than his original bid. I call and say..."are you telling me you're not going to make much on this job, or that the price to finish it will be higher?" He said "the second one". I told him to return my money and we'd use the other guy. Now he won't return the money and won't finish the job for the original bid.

Not a great situation....

No, I'm not trying to ruin the guy. He's done a lot of good work for us over the years.

He wanted to bid a job. I told him sheet rock would be removed (because that's what my GC told me). He got there to inspect the job before bidding, and the ceiling had only been scraped, not removed. He provided a bid (just a total price, no materials or labor or stipulations that it might go up if he couldn't get it done as quick as he wanted) and then asked me if it would be removed, and I told him it wouldn't be. I told him the bid was too high and my business partner wanted a second bid. We got a 2nd bid which was lower. Because of our history, I offered to go with him if he could come close to the lower bid. He did. He wanted half ($2150) up front to cover materials.

He worked 2 days over the weekend with a helper. When he got into it, he said kitchen was more expensive than he thought, so we added $500. Then he said he was going to cut a corner in one spot (even though this specific issue was a big part of his sales pitch) because it was too much labor to fix it right. My business partner and I agree to install all the ceiling fans to save him labor there so that he could fix the panel correctly. Now we're at the point of paying $850 more than what the lower bid was, and us doing some of the work...

Next morning he asks for $1350 more cash now because of having to pay his helper and materials being high. I sent that. A couple hours later, he sends me a cost estimate that's $2k higher than his original bid. I call and say..."are you telling me you're not going to make much on this job, or that the price to finish it will be higher?" He said "the second one". I told him to return my money and we'd use the other guy. Now he won't return the money and won't finish the job for the original bid.

Not a great situation....