Slow client and payment
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- fadein11
I have 95% completed a website for a client. They payed 50% upfront. I am waiting on last few bits from them to complete then half a days training on using the CMS. It was started in Jan and its nearly April. I asked the client if I could invoice 50% of the remaining amount with final bit due on going live. He says he would rather wait!
What would you do here? I sent a slightly annoyed email. I have a v.basic contract stating 50% at start and 50% at completion but as he is being so slow and they are happy with the work I thought they would at least be a little flexible.
Thoughts please?
- fadein110
I also added most of their content for them when I stated in proposal that I would only do one section and they could add the rest once trained up (as they didn't have a big budget)... What is wrong with some clients? Sigh.
- Nathan_Adams0
*cough* every single project *cough*
- sine0
they're busy doing other shit that's more important than this...
it's how it goes.
- fyoucher10
That's exactly why in my contracts I have 50% at the start...and then ...
the remaining 50% at project completion, whenever any files are sent, or 30 days from the start of the project, whichever comes first.
As far as what you should do, you're contracts states at project completion, but does it state what that means exactly? If there isn't anything, it's kind of open-ended.
Personally, I would just say that you're looking to wrap up this project and if you have anymore feedback, please let me know by XX/XX/XX. I'll send an invoice for the remaining balance on XX/XX/XX. Thanks bro.
- benfal990
Send the bees
- mekk0
Your contract says 50% at the beginning, 50% at the end. And at the end you will hopefully get the money.
Compared to working with large companies this is very relaxing and stressless. Sometimes we have to start a project for the sake of keeping the customer without a final go from them - without knowing if we ever get payed or not. That's sadly the industry standard
- robotron3k0
give it to them but put an easter egg in it just in case...
- fadein110
He left me a voicemail saying to talk some stuff over the phone and then he will pay up... I just needed part payment for cashflow... seemed petty as we have a good relationship and he is happy with the work. I probably shouldn't have thrown my rattle out of the pram (although it did work ha).
- formed0
It's just how things go. They have a business to run, the website is going well so they can focus on other things.
Honestly, a few months seems like not much time at all. If an invoice was late that long, that's one thing, but dragging their feet? Not an issue. Annoying, but that's just business.
For future projects, break it up more if you need the cash flow - 30/30/30/10 is what I do for larger projects. That way you are 90% paid long before they get the final.
- Christa0
It happens, but red flag. A chunk of change now is appropriate given your are an independent contractor. They may be telling you they have cash flow problems....just like you and everyone else.
Had a client tell me he needed to pay his quarterly taxes first ---- hey pal, I pay that too...
- animatedgif0
"It's just how things go. They have a business to run, the website is going well so they can focus on other things."
I'll use that excuse next time I need to pay a bill
- noneck0
I have a clause in my agreements that lets me bill the balance of the project if the client stalls it for more than 30 days. Then they have to pay another fee to start it up again.