The $1,200 job that taught me to stop being nice about payment terms

I used to just send a polite invoice with 'Net 30' and hope for the best. After a client ghosted me for three months on a big patio project, I switched to a 50% deposit before starting and the rest due upon completion, in writing. How do you guys handle deposits for bigger jobs?

4 comments

4 Comments

laura_wilson2mo ago

Actually started putting a late fee clause in the contract, which gets people moving faster than just the deposit.

cora_west52mo ago

Wait you weren't charging a late fee before?

iris_thomas852mo ago

Honestly it's wild that just the deposit was ever enough. People will treat a deposit like it's the full price and then drag their feet forever. A late fee turns "whenever" into "oh right now actually." Money talks, but extra money shouts.

craig.parker4d ago

Oh man, my buddy had a guy pay the deposit and then just disappear for THREE MONTHS, no late fee in the contract so he was stuck waiting. He put a late fee in every contract after that and suddenly people showed up on time.