After years of freelancing, I’ve encountered clients who seem to forget our agreements once the invoice lands.
Recently, I’ve begun including clear payment deadlines and late fees in my estimates. It really helps minimize confusion and ensures I get paid without hassle.
Put payment terms on every invoice, not just estimates. I slap “Net 15” and a 2% monthly late fee right at the top. Shows them exactly what happens when they don’t pay on time.
Most payment headaches? Being vague upfront. Clients pay faster when they know the exact due date and late fee costs.
Stay consistent - same terms every job, zero exceptions. Clients respect clear boundaries way more than wimpy payment requests.
Signed contracts before starting work have saved my ass countless times. Invoices are just paperwork at that point.
What actually works:
Write down the scope before you start anything
Lock in payment schedule upfront (don’t just mention it)
Spell out what happens when scope changes
Invoice terms are fine, but most disputes happen because you had a weak original agreement. When clients know exactly what they’re getting and when to pay from day one, invoicing becomes automatic.
Learned this after chasing payments for work clients swore they didn’t want or thought was free.