Payment terms

[James]

What are your preferred payment terms?
This is really aimed at people who’re are supplying home owners, not Comercial contracts.

 

[littlespark]

Is this a follow in from the 3 quotes thread?

Im on my own, So a big major job will take longer than a team... and I try not to do quotes as I’m not too experienced in that.
I normally ask for money at the end of each week. That’s just time and materials on site, even though I might have more materials in the van.

 

[Andy78]

My standard invoice asks for payment within 14 days.
On jobs over £1k I may ask for a deposit.
On rewires I will ask for staged payments.

I play it by ear essentially and see what each customer and job is like.

 

[James]

Is this a follow in from the 3 quotes thread?

Im on my own, So a big major job will take longer than a team... and I try not to do quotes as I’m not too experienced in that.
I normally ask for money at the end of each week. That’s just time and materials on site, even though I might have more materials in the van.

Yes, I thought it best not to get the original thread derailed by endless discussion about payment terms.
We all have a different approach so I thought we could get an idea of how the land lies with people in general.

 

[Baddegg]

Same as @Andy78, mostly depends on the size of the job......and the person I’m dealing with, some jobs I want payment at least for the materials as soon as they are on site, this is written in the quote and will stop untill it’s settled,

 

[baldelectrician]

I ALWAYS do terms and conditions for jobs over £50

For jobs like rewires I do 33% up front at time of booking and the rest on completion of the electrical works.

Went to one on Monday this week, fold needed a cooker connected and there was a 2.5mm taken off a 6mm to a double socket, no RCD, old consumer unit with mix and match internals.

Told the guy that he needed a new consumer unit, cooker control unit and a cooker outlet.

He said just do it, I said I would email them a quote (including terms and conditions) , which I did and they accepted

After the job was done they tell me they have been to trading standards about the last guy (handyman who 'did' electrics) and are 'taking him all the way'

So glad I insisted on terms and conditions etc.

 

[wrighty]

Have you got a terms and conditions template I could have a look at please?

thanks

 

[baldelectrician]

Have you got a terms and conditions template I could have a look at please?

thanks

My terms and conditions are on my webite


Baldelectrician- Terms and conditions

 

[baldelectrician]

My terms and conditions are on my webite


Baldelectrician- Terms and conditions

Just back from a light fitting change.

Client had a failed 2D light in bathroom.

The money was in the bank before we left the house.

 

[buzzlightyear]

The money was in the bank before we left the house.

After pointing a gun in their back. Lol

 

[baldelectrician]

After pointing a gun in their back. Lol

They pay quick when you get the flask and the sleeping bag out of the van.
and start talking about politics

 

[Dustydazzler]

Small jobs simply paid on completion

bigger jobs I tend to get materials costs upfront and then Labour portion on completion

 

[SparkySy]

I have different terms depending on the size of the job and the customer. On larger jobs I take a percentage upfront then the rest on completion. Domestic customers mainly I find like to pay by card so I have a zettle for that. My regular customers I don't really have terms for as they always pay by bacs as soon as I send them an invoice. I am usually very selective about who I work for and don't advertise so only ever get jobs from other customers recommendations. This tends to weed out the problem payers for me. Oh and from this amazing forum too full of helpful people and information!
Sy

 

[LukeD]

If i know them , its payment at the end unless the materials are going to a be a lot .
Big jobs , I want a none refundable deposit .THis books the Job and nothing else. I know loads of people that find out a 10 day job has been binned the day before or even on the day ! The customer must not think you will book out their work with no penalty on their part. . Payment made in steps to allow for any labourer to be paid . Final payment normally same day of completion. There is zero excuse now with online payment etc best tip I learnt ...ALWAYS make sure a customer knows exactly what a call out charge is and what it covers. I do this by text etc or email. And I want a confirmation from them before setting off .