Estimates and Invoices and getting paid...

[Element]

I started my little tiling business about 5 weeks back, have had a good run of jobs, completed one and am busy with the current one with 3 more ahead of me...
My question is - what do you guys do on the matter of getting paid? I give a written estimate, it gets accepted, I do the job and then was asked to send an invoice, that done and I'm waiting 10 days now...
Do you mention payment terms on the estimate or the invoice? If so - what do you include? Is it standard practice to be paid immediately on completion - or is it customary to wait up to 30 days...?

Thanks in advance!

[newlineuk]

I'llsend you a pm mate

[GC-Terrazzo]

If i do homers i expect to be payed on the same day as i finish the job, only time i havent is when i do work for bannatynes gym they make you wait 30 days but i hear this is the way they pay everyone.

[Stewart]

You should have your terms and conditions on your estimate, including your payment terms and make them clear what they are.....

[paul78]

I started my little tiling business about 5 weeks back, have had a good run of jobs, completed one and am busy with the current one with 3 more ahead of me...
My question is - what do you guys do on the matter of getting paid? I give a written estimate, it gets accepted, I do the job and then was asked to send an invoice, that done and I'm waiting 10 days now...
Do you mention payment terms on the estimate or the invoice? If so - what do you include? Is it standard practice to be paid immediately on completion - or is it customary to wait up to 30 days...?

Thanks in advance!

cash on the finish day, you got to nowadays.

Imagine you finish job and waiting 10-14 days for payment and they lose their job on day 4.................

[TF Ed]

on domestic work, you want paying on completion. make that very clear to begin with.

ed

[chille]

Banks don't give credit very easily especially without some credit history and neither do I.
If working direct to the homeowner its payment on completion cheques gladly accepted up to the card guarantee. . . . . just like every other business
I wish Tesco's would let me through the tills with a full trolley and promise to pay them next Julember. . .

[Sir Ramic]

You should have your terms and conditions on your estimate, including your payment terms and make them clear what they are.....

I have always found that it makes no difference my terms as the contractor will say its their terms that I abide with ......and then they still need to be chased for the money when due.

[doug boardley]

yep, I put an invoice in on 27 May, but probs won't get paid till 1st week in July

[Sir Ramic]

Thats standard practice Doug, 1 clear month....even if you had put invoice in on 2nd May it would probably still be the same.

[Element]

I live and learn... Def from now on I'll put the terms on estimates and pay on completion as standard...

[Phil Hobson]

I always state in my t&c's payment due seven days from invoice. never seems to work with builders a far cry from the old couple on some domestic jobs, when they ask " can I pay you before you start, as I don't like to keep money in the house". There is a lot to be said for private work

[doug boardley]

I always state in my t&c's payment due seven days from invoice. never seems to work with builders a far cry from the old couple on some domestic jobs, when they ask can I pay you before you start, as I don't like to keep money in the house". There is a lot to be said for private work

totally agree Phil, although I always decline until job is completed to their satisfaction

[Phil Hobson]

Me too Doug,

[kilty55]

i think in this case element is doing domestic jobs,in which case it will be his terms and conditions that apply

different if you are not the main contractor

[widler]

domestic jobs,defo pay on completion,like someone said,they wouldent go to a shop for a paper or a crate of beer and say i wil pay you next week.

working for firms,well,im still waiting for a invoice to be paid from the beginning of march. sometimes im behind 4 or 5 months before some pay me,i literally have to get my youngest dress her like stig of the dump and take her into some builders office and blinking beg em