Client Billing advice.

[JHalton]

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[JamesTaylor]

My suggestion would be to discuss your issues with someone in the firm who has the authority to correct these problems.

 

I don't think your problem is anything to do with you being unreasonable, it sounds as if this company is a good client in the fact that you get plenty of work from them, its just problematic how its structured, both interms of deadlines and payments dates.

 

Perhaps suggest restructuring your arrangement... it sounds like a month on month retainer could work, you agree a set fee for a set no. of hrs that is paid every month etc. Anywork you complete during the month is completed against the hrs they have purchased... If they use less they carry over hrs for the next month, if they use more you can knock them off next months quota etc. or the fees could be adjusted accordingly every month.

 

This way still allows them the flexibilty to chop and change your tasks etc. whilst still giving you the security of Knowing payments are recieved at expected times, in accordance with how you've budgeted.

 

Wether you feel comfortable with approaching them with something onlong those lines is going to depend on your relationship with them to date etc. but i think generally people are understanding to problems if they addressed correctly as apposed to letting cause rifts before trying to sort it out.

 

James

[STRAT]

you must have agreements down in writing between the two of you, no matter how large/small a client is, or how friendly/familier you are with each other, or no matter how small/large/inflexable the job looks. this will safeguard you against the client deciding he doesn't want to pay you just yet.

 

You must talk with them telling them what you intend to realistically carry out. dont let them walk all over you. ok, they provide you with allot of work, but get ground rules in place. they wont dump you because you dont do all they say and when. talk talk talk

[JHalton]

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[Iain Denby]

.

 

I want to spend time on getting new clients, moving my business forward but I cant get it done while I work with this client. They give me work on a friday and want it done by monday, they stop and start jobs, chop, mix up, pay late and dont get back to emails and phone calls until it suits them.

NO, no,no,no. You need to change your own attitude. You don't work for them, you do business together. You tell them that in order to meet their deadline of Xday, then you need all the info by Xday. Your office hours are Mon to Fri...there may be occasions that you can work weekend, but that requires a premium payment etc.

 

Basically, you need to be assertive. It's not being an arse, it's being professional.

[Tommy L]

I totally agree with Dibs on this one. Youre youre own boss, thats why youre a freelancer. At the moment you have the worst of both worlds. Communication (the lack of it) is the main reason any job or relationship goes pear shaped. If they refuse to play the game, theyre not worth working for. I used to live in Leeds and theres a fair bit of work going, its a boom town. Ditch that client, get your portfolio all shined up and hit the street looking for the golden goose

Good luck man.

PS, do you have a website?

[Devin Johnston]

I've got to chime in here and say that there definitely taking advantage of you, if nothing else you should be charging a premium for these short rushed jobs. I hope you’re using some kind of contract with this client and if your not the next job you do you should make one up. A contract is great because it established the ground rules right up front so each side knows what they are responsible for. Clients will always want to change things on you but you can make sure that the changes are managed in a way that benefits you. Charge them extra if changes come past a certain time or if their deadline moves up from what you first agreed upon. It's probably going to be harder to manage this client because you haven't done these things before and they will be inclined to do business as they always have but it's worth a try.

 

I think you should be paid for the work you did on that other project that they halted; in my mind they broke the deal when they canceled it and you disserve payment for work done. If they want you to continue working on it tell them you won't until you are paid, then it's up to them to decide if they want their project finished.

[JHalton]

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[William Alexander]

I do have good Terms and Conditions. I dont think he takes much notice of them though.

 

I think my power will come easier with more than one client on the books...

 

If the client doesn't think much of them....they are usless....and hanging onto BS clients becasue you have no other clients is borderline on being dysfunctional and will only get you more "like" clients in the end-thus perpetuating the dysfunctional business model LOL

[Justin Hunt]

you could also play with them, tell them that no more work is going to progress until you recieve XYZ. If they dont supply then clearly state in writing the reasons for stopages, missed deadlines etc. Do not lay blame, keep it unemotional, and stick to the facts.

 

Follow up the letter with a phone call.

 

They may do this once or twice, they may even not come back, but chances are they will get back on track and things will go smoothly in the future.

 

JHV

[colinsmith]

I think you can make something of the delays.

If you have an inital agreement to do the work in 10 days, then let them know every day of delay is pushing the deadline further away.

 

If you need in formation, and it does not arrive as agreed, email them an update each day of when your new completion date will be. If they delay you 3 days, the new completion ate is 3 days later.... if they need it for the original date... that's at your discretion, and will cost extra.

 

If they are really too much of a pain to work with, then don't work with them.

[jkletzien]

I think you can make something of the delays.

If you have an inital agreement to do the work in 10 days, then let them know every day of delay is pushing the deadline further away.

 

If you need in formation, and it does not arrive as agreed, email them an update each day of when your new completion date will be. If they delay you 3 days, the new completion ate is 3 days later.... if they need it for the original date... that's at your discretion, and will cost extra.

 

If they are really too much of a pain to work with, then don't work with them.

 

I think this is tempting...but is a hard strategy because then you box yourself in from doing other work while your waiting for the dimwits to come through. As you have mentioned the secret is to be in demand by multiple firms, then you have the confidence to tell them to go pound sand.

 

Also get a deposit for the timeframe they are reserving up front - if they are paying then they are serious if they don't they aren't.

[colinsmith]

I think when you are hanging about waiting for information you are boxed in one way or another already, it's more about taking control of the situation and making sure that the client understands that their own delays will come back to them.

I am sure we have all had situations where the client takes 2 weeks to make a minor descision but then expects the original delivery date to be held.

[jkletzien]

Colin, I meant no offense, and I understand your point of view from one standpoint...the problem is that when you make it equivalent - you're late, I'm late an equal amount, you do give them "control" of the situation because it means you have three days of sitting on your ass that you're not billing for and three days that you are putting off the next job.

 

It's business and control isn't as important as keeping yourself billable. You start taking off when the client tells you to, and not starting the next job on time because the first client screwed you you're gonna lose money.

 

Better to try and relax those three days, do the project in a rush for the original deadline, tell them they've lost their rounds of reviews because of their delays, and then tell them how you're not charging rush charges and they should be grateful.

 

Then you get a nice little mini break, you can start the next job on time, and your hourly rate just went up for this job considerably - plus if you play your cards right you've won their gratitude.

[SunGlare]

I have relations with several offices and some send me jobs, asking to pause their other request.

 

What I do is I have separate Invoice for each job.

I do estimate the costs, send them proposal and time frame.

I ask 50% up front.

 

For me its even better to start 50 jobs at once (boy that would be sweet..)

 

So, as others mentioned before, treat your time with respect, they will value it better.

 

Good Luck.

 

 

BTW: Some clients playing games, some are just cheap flea market traders, challenge you to every penny. Sometime is good to cool them down, with busy schedule for next two weeks, well maybe something else. I found out that they're out there to make money, and if You getting soft they will make make money on you, not with you.

[colinsmith]

Colin, I meant no offense, and I understand your point of view from one standpoint...the problem is that when you make it equivalent - you're late, I'm late an equal amount, you do give them "control" of the situation because it means you have three days of sitting on your ass that you're not billing for and three days that you are putting off the next job.

 

No, no offence taken at all, and that's definately some things to think about.

 

My aim was more to avoid the 3 lost days altogether, by making sure the client knows they have a set cost, in time or in cash. My day job is in a similar area to my 3d clients, and I know a daily reminder email would make deciding on that particular issue a high priority.

 

I would agree that billable hours is the bottom line, but if the information is late, it is late....... if you choose to do it on time for them, then you've given yourself some negotiating power. When the boss at the client's comes shouting, you have 3 days worth of emails where you are chasing the information and explaining the problems that would come.

Now, if you want to help them out, you can still finish on time, and it'll just cost a little extra.....