Just landed a big contract, but I’m hesitant about starting without some cash flow. How do you folks handle asking for upfront payments on larger projects? I’ve always done it for smaller gigs, but this feels different. Want to strike the right balance between protecting myself and not scaring off the client.
I’d just ask for some cash before starting man.
It’s not hard just tell them you need it.
If they say no then maybe skip it.
Upfront money? Yeah, I ask for it. Keeps things simple. Just tell 'em straight up you need some cash to get started. If they don’t like it, maybe it’s not worth the hassle.
Look, big jobs need cash flow. I always ask for money upfront. It’s not about trust, it’s business.
Tell them you need 20-30% to start. If they balk, offer to break it into phases. Each phase gets its own upfront payment.
Don’t overthink it. Just say, ‘To get this rolling, I need X% upfront to cover initial costs.’
If they refuse any upfront cash, walk away. It’s not worth the risk. Plenty of other jobs out there.
Remember, you’re running a business, not a charity. Good clients get it. If they don’t, move on.
I always ask for upfront payment on big jobs. It’s not personal, just good business.
Split the project into phases. Each phase gets its own upfront fee. This way, you’re both protected.
Just tell them straight: ‘To get started, I need X% upfront for initial costs.’ If they refuse, walk away. Not worth the risk.
Remember, you’re running a business. Good clients understand this.
Totally get your situation. Big contracts can be tricky.
Here’s what I do:
- Be upfront about needing some cash to start
- Offer a smaller percentage upfront, like 15-20%
- Break the project into stages
I usually say something like:
“To kick things off smoothly, I typically ask for a small percentage upfront. It helps cover initial costs and gets us both invested in the project.”
If they seem hesitant, I suggest splitting the project into smaller chunks. Each chunk gets its own mini-upfront payment.
Remember, good clients understand cash flow issues. If they flat-out refuse any upfront payment, it might be a warning sign.
Don’t stress too much about it. Most clients expect some kind of upfront arrangement for big projects. Just be clear and professional about it.
For big projects, I always ask for an upfront payment. It’s normal in business, so don’t worry about scaring clients off.
I usually break the project into milestones and ask for 25-30% upfront. This covers my initial costs and shows the client is serious.
When I talk to the client, I explain it like this: ‘To kick off the project and secure resources, we typically require a 25% deposit. This allows us to hit the ground running.’
If they seem unsure, I offer to break the project into smaller phases. Each phase has its own upfront payment. This can make it easier for some clients to manage.
Remember, it’s about managing cash flow for both sides. Good clients understand this. If they refuse any upfront payment, it might be a red flag.