Hiring craftsmen with financial problems?

Do not pay in advance. Then you have no risk.

So this time no deposit?

This works without a "court decision" by means of a judicial dunning procedure

Can you explain that briefly? Can the excavator rental company seize the account without a court having a say in it?

Then just talk to him about it.

Gently make clear to him that you would like to give him the contract, but are a bit unsure about paying upfront. Work out a payment plan that satisfies both sides and that’s that. If you work with several installments, that shouldn’t be a problem. If he’s not willing to accept that, to pay upfront for such small amounts, I’d stay away from it.

Then just talk to him about it.

Yes, I will do that the next time we have contact.

Talk to him about it. Offer him that the suppliers send their invoices for materials, etc. directly to you and you only pay him for the labor.

So no down payment this time?

Well, your order volume will be in the low to now triple-digit range. Denying him the €100 down payment ... poor guy. That's how you drive a nail into the coffin by rumor. Talk to him.

Can the excavator lessor have the account seized without a court giving its input?

Yes, as long as the debtor acknowledges the debt or remains inactive. I have such a document myself here, valid for 30 years. Someday I'll still get my money...

Just google "gerichtliches Mahnverfahren," it runs fully automatically without a judge.

Well, your order volume will be in the low to now triple-digit range. Denying him the 100€ deposit ... poor guy. That's how you can also hammer nails in the coffin through rumors. Talk to him.

Exactly. Those few bucks won't kill us now. I'm actually more concerned about the principle. If he doesn't pay his invoices, that's not okay. If someone has difficulties, then you can arrange small installments, etc. But not paying at all, I wouldn't want to commission someone like that.

Yes, provided the debtor acknowledges the debt or remains inactive. I have such a document myself, valid for 30 years Eventually I'll get my money ... Just google the court dunning procedure, it runs fully automatically without a judge.

The excavator rental company probably has such a document too. Of course, we talk to him.

Offer him that the suppliers send their invoices for material etc directly to you and you only pay him for the labor.

That's how it has been with the material anyway. Only the equipment he has completely on the invoice, because it wasn't initially clear what and when he would need everything.

Well, so far we only know one side of the story. I will report what he says.