At the recent AED Summit, Curtis and Valerie Fort shared valuable insights into how their businesses—CCFG, a licensed commercial debt collection agency, and LienGuard, a lien filing service—work hand-in-hand to safeguard cash flow for contractors, equipment dealers, and suppliers.
Understanding CCFG: Specialists in Commercial Debt Collection
With nearly two decades of experience, the CCFG team understands the construction industry’s unique cash flow challenges. Our services are tailored specifically for contractors, equipment dealers, and financial institutions dealing with late-paying clients.
B2B collections services include:
- Commercial debt collection on a contingency basis (no upfront fees)
- Private investigation services to locate assets
- Litigation coordination through a national attorney network
- Asset and liability reporting
- Client relationship rehabilitation, whenever possible
Our goal? To recover what’s owed diplomatically, without burning bridges.
“We know that in the construction world, retaining clients is hard. So we aim to rehabilitate relationships when possible,” Curtis said during the interview.
Whether the overdue account is $500 or $500,000, CCFG approaches each case with the same dedication and strategy.
Meet LienGuard: Your First Line of Defense in the Payment Process
LienGuard, a 40-year-old lien filing service founded in 1983, is another key piece in the CCFG puzzle. Recently acquired by the Forts, LienGuard helps contractors secure their right to payment by handling all aspects of preliminary notices, mechanics liens, and bond claims.
Why Contractors Trust LienGuard:
- Flat fee pricing with no long-term contracts
- State-specific compliance for lien laws and deadlines
- Full-service notice and lien preparation and delivery
- Ongoing education and consultation on lien strategies
“Contractors don’t always know they have 20 days to send a preliminary notice, depending on the state. We make sure they do,” Valerie explained. LienGuard ensures these legal protections are in place before payment issues arise.
Creating a Seamless Lien to Collection Workflow
LienGuard and CCFG operate in a complementary fashion—one protects your right to payment, the other helps recover it.
Here’s a typical escalation workflow:
- Start with LienGuard: Secure payment rights early with notices and liens.
- Escalate to CCFG: If payment is not made, CCFG steps in with professional collection services.
- Litigation, if needed: CCFG coordinates with a nationwide attorney network for legal action—the Commercial Law League of America—including judgments and potential foreclosure.
Transparent and Easy Onboarding
Getting started with either service is easy. Clients can:
- Fill out the new client placement form
- Submit cases online with full access to account tracking
- Speak directly with expert reps to answer questions
- Track the status of claims and liens in real time through the client portal
“Everything we do is transparent—clients always know where their accounts stand,” said Curtis.
Why Choose CCFG and LienGuard Over Traditional Legal Avenues?
While attorneys can be helpful, they’re often seen as an aggressive step. CCFG’s diplomatic approach serves as a buffer between the client and their debtor, offering a less confrontational path to resolution. And because attorneys bill by the hour, CCFG’s contingency model makes the process cost-effective and results-driven.
In a construction environment where cash flow can make or break a project, working with a team that understands your industry is critical. From early lien protection with LienGuard to professional debt collection with CCFG, this duo delivers a comprehensive solution to one of the industry’s most persistent problems—getting paid on time.
