Freelance payment
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- innit
Hi peeps,
Just about to start some freelance work and i wanted to know what is the best way to get paid. For eg. Should I ask for 1/2 or a 1/3 of the money up front, or invoice it all at the end?
Thanks in advance!
- imadesigner0
Pretty much every job is full payment at end. Unless you have a good relationship with the client.
- letters20
I disagree with imadesigner. I think it depends perhaps on the type of work. For example if you go into a studio and work on-site its likely you'll bill at the end. However, being a freelancer myself, I suggest always billing a portion up-front for projects you take on, especially if its a project where the client is outsourcing it to you.
- innit0
This is an outsourcing project. I am creating a website for a company. I think I may suggest breaking up the payments into 2 amounts, one given halfway, after the design stage, and the remainder after the site is live?
- phatlee0
It depends on the scale of the project. If there's months of work I'd suggest invoicing at different stages, if the client is reasonable they should agree to this.
- innit0
Its pretty basic web design - a weeks worth of work. I guess it makes sense to invoice the total at the end?
- phatlee0
Yeah, I'd just invoice the total once the job is complete.
- luo0
Hey innit,
for any freelance web work i do like that I usually invoice about 1/3 of the price once the interface design has been signed off, and then the remainder on the job is complete.hope thats of help!
- ********0
Most businesses work on payment terms of 30 days from invoice. For a weeks, work you may not see any money for up to 6 weeks.
So basically, you need to manage your cashflow to whatever you're comfortable with.
For a weeks work, I don't see any problem with charging a portion up front, then invoicing the balance at the end.
However, define what 'the end' is
- Dancer0
I charge all my clients at the end except one which I get 100% up front due to past experiences wirth them.
I'm trustworthy like that and I know kung fu
- jamble0
I invoice at the end of projects, if you've got a contract with your billing terms etc then you should be fine to bill like this.
If it's a weeks worth of work, you're probably best just doing it at the end of the work.
- ********0
okay so from the response here there are a lot of factors that will come together and 'decide' the actual payday.
Do what you need to do to avoid any surprises. Ask some questions about their billing cycle and figure that into your dev plan.
I like the idea of getting a check when design is complete and then after development.
- radar0
I always do at least a 1/3 upfront, unless it's a repeat client or a studio.
- blaw0
I take 50% up front, with the other 50% due 30 days after project completion.
This requires a commitment from the client and helps keep a project moving forward.
Also, why work without compensation on a project that could last weeks/months? The onus should be borne by both parties.
As mentioned before, exceptions apply, but this is my standard approach.
- innit0
Thank you all. I'l have a ponder after reading all your comments. I am erring towards asking for a 1/3 - 1/2 after the main design is agreed. Then when I have finally uploaded the web site I'll ask for the remainder.
Cheers again peeps, I owe ya one
- Nairn0
Cheers again peeps, I owe ya one
innit
(Oct 15 07, 05:26)Could we get a third of that upfront?
- innit0
Cheeky Nairn :-P
- Meeklo0
Pretty much every job is full payment at end. Unless you have a good relationship with the client.
imadesigner
(Oct 15 07, 03:34)where do you live imadesigner? wonderland?
the situation is the exact opposite of what you just told...
I think I just figured out you were just joking...
nevermind!