Just wrapped up a project for a client. They asked me to hang tight for 30 minutes until their partner got home to handle the payment.
I mean, it’s not a lot of time, but these small delays really stack up. Makes you wonder about the balance between being accommodating and managing your own time effectively.
Been there way too many times. Mobile payment apps changed everything for me.
I just tell clients “Venmo, Zelle, or cash when we’re done.” Most people already have one on their phone. No waiting around, no ATM runs, no awkward standing there.
If someone doesn’t have the apps, I help them download Venmo real quick. Takes 2 minutes and they’re usually happy to learn.
Only downside is waiting a day or two for the money to hit your account, but that’s way better than sitting in someone’s driveway for 30 minutes.
I just invoice them when I’m done. Hand over the invoice right after finishing and give them net 15 terms. No waiting around or scheduling extra trips, and you don’t look like the bad guy charging fees. They get their walkthrough, you get paid in two weeks, nobody wastes time. I’ve done this for years - works perfectly.
I just leave and come back later. Not worth sitting around for half an hour.
I tell clients upfront - payment is due when I finish the job. No confusion that way.
If they can’t pay immediately, I’ll schedule the final walkthrough when both of them are home. This saves time for everyone and keeps it straightforward.
Yeah this happens all the time with couples.
I started charging a waiting fee after dealing with this too many times. Now I tell clients upfront - if payment isn’t ready when I finish, it’s $25 for every 15 minutes I wait.
Suddenly everyone figures out how to have payment ready. The few times someone still needed me to wait, they paid without arguing since I’d been clear from the start.
You could leave and come back later, but that’s two trips. The waiting fee works better.
This is exactly why I switched to asking for payment upfront. Learned this the hard way after too many awkward waiting situations.
Now I just say “I’ll need payment when we get started today” when I arrive. Most people are fine with it and have their payment ready.
For bigger jobs I split it:
Saves me from sitting in my car scrolling my phone waiting for someone’s spouse to get home. Plus you avoid the “oh we need to hit the ATM” situation at the end.