Been freelancing for years and finally hit my limit with clients who pay weeks late. I know I should charge late fees but honestly scared it’ll damage relationships.
Started adding a line about it in contracts but wondering how others handle the actual conversation when you have to enforce it.
I learned this the hard way after eating too many late payments early on.
What worked for me was making late fees feel automatic, not personal. I put it right in the invoice terms - something like “Payment due in 30 days, 2% monthly fee applies after that date.”
When someone goes past due, I send a friendly reminder first. If they still don’t pay after another week, I send the updated invoice with the fee and just say “Updated invoice attached with late fee as outlined in our agreement.”
Most people pay it without pushback because they know they messed up. The ones who complain usually aren’t clients worth keeping anyway. Lost maybe two clients over the years but saved myself thousands in late payments.
Been doing this for years. Just add the fee and send it. Good clients understand.
I just don’t get paid late anymore honestly.
Put it in your contract upfront and actually charge it when they’re late. Most clients respect you more when you stick to your terms. I charge 1.5% per month after 30 days and send a revised invoice showing the fee. Never had anyone argue because they agreed to it when they signed.
Make the late fee automatic in your payment system if possible. I set mine at 2% and it gets added without me having to think about it.
When clients ask about it, I just say the fee covers the extra admin work for tracking overdue payments. Most understand that explanation.
The relationship damage you’re worried about already happened when they decided to pay you late.
Start charging them right away or you’ll keep getting walked on. Here’s what I do:
The key is being consistent. Miss it once and they’ll test you again.
I used to worry about relationships too but realized clients who respect you will pay on time. The ones who don’t were already problem clients anyway.
Sent my first late fee invoice three years ago and was terrified. Client paid it without a word and has been on time ever since. Wish I’d started sooner.