How about before I get involved in this project I want written authorization to fix the mess as well as provide the new installation. The thing that scares me the most about finding a mess is the owner probably does not care about the mess and is unwilling to fix anything much less pay for it. Except for new owners most of the bad cheques come from long time owners that don't like to fix things and aside from the mess are often also very bad customers. A very big deposit/retainer with your lawyer in escrow is the minimum insurance I would ask for from a new slumloard customer. Never work past the money. especially when you are very close to finished. the last bill often does not get paid.
