oliviabutler•6d agoProlific Poster

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?

3 comments

3 Comments

laura_wilson6d ago

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

cora_west56d ago

Wait you weren't charging a late fee before?

iris_thomas856d 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.