Recently started including more detailed terms in my invoices. Not sure if I’m covering all bases though. Curious what others put in their T&Cs for billing. Do you spell out payment deadlines, late fees, IP transfer? Wondering if I’m missing anything crucial.
Over the years, I’ve learned the hard way to include a few key things in my invoice terms:
Payment deadline - usually 30 days for me.
Late fee - I charge 1.5% per month after 30 days.
Ownership of work - specify that rights transfer only after full payment.
Acceptable payment methods - I list check, bank transfer, and PayPal.
Partial payment terms - I require 50% upfront for big projects.
Revision policy - I include 2 rounds of revisions, then charge hourly.
These cover most bases and have saved me headaches. I tweak them sometimes based on the client or project.
Don’t go overboard though. Keep it simple enough that clients actually read it.
I keep it simple:
Payment due in 14 days.
Late fee of 2% per week after that.
Work is mine until paid in full.
Pay by bank transfer only.
No need to overcomplicate it. Clients appreciate clear terms, and it saves hassle later. Just make sure you enforce whatever you put down.
I don’t bother with fancy terms. Just say when they gotta pay and how much. Keep it simple. Long as the money comes in, that’s what counts.
Keeping it simple is key. Here’s what I include:
- Payment due date (14 days for me)
- Late fee (1% per week)
- Work ownership (mine till paid)
- Payment methods (bank transfer, PayPal)
- Deposit for big projects (30% upfront)
I’ve learned to go over these with clients before starting. Saves headaches later.
One thing I do differently: I offer a small discount for early payment. Motivates clients to pay faster.
Remember, terms are useless if you don’t enforce them. Be consistent, even if it’s uncomfortable at first. Clients respect clear boundaries.
Lastly, review your terms every few months. Your business changes, so should your terms.
Here’s what works for me:
Payment due in 30 days.
2% late fee per month.
Full rights transfer on payment.
Check or direct deposit only.
50% deposit for big jobs.
Keep it short and clear. Long terms just confuse people. Make sure you go over the key points with the client before starting work. That way there’s no surprises when the bill comes.
Most important thing is to stick to your guns. If you let one client slide, word gets around. Be firm but fair and you’ll avoid most payment headaches.
Never thought about it much. Just write when payment’s due.