61
votes
Dealing with "friend" who won't pay after delivery despite signed contracts
Is this a script from a soap opera?
There's far too much discussion taking place.
Business is business and not friendship. Ignore anything not directly related to the business. All the back and ...
- 17.4k
21
votes
Dealing with "friend" who won't pay after delivery despite signed contracts
Your chain of emails is unprofessional, you fail yourself by dropping to your client's argumentative level. As well as this, instead of getting to the point you make jabs and petty points informally, ...
- 545
18
votes
Discount for 1-year full-time contract?
Realize that if you are tied up, full time, for a year, you'll most likely lose all your other clients. So, if that's okay you need to make it worth your while.
If you are financially in good shape ...
- 17.4k
16
votes
Should I ask every client to sign a contract?
Yes! Yes! Yes!
I rolled my eyes when I read your question... sorry... but I did.
The contract is there for both of you and if you read questions elsewhere on freelancing, you'll read several who cut ...
- 1,162
15
votes
What's the best way to 'sack' a customer
I think the rule is 80/20. 80% of complaints from 20% of customers. It applies to so many things like 20% of your carpet will get 80% of the wear and tear etc.
It is a great question and one I have ...
- 1,750
13
votes
Project based freelance project requiring multiple unexpected "redos" from client
At the bottom of all my quotes I have this wording:
We are here to provide an excellent customer experience. Because of this, we encourage input from the Client during the entire process. However, ...
- 246
12
votes
Accepted
Asking Clients to pay Advance Payment?
With new clients that approach me, I ask for a non-refundable deposit up front. Usually it ranges from 30% to 50% depending on the overall project cost. I tend to waive the deposit for any client I've ...
- 17.4k
10
votes
Monthly Fee vs. One-Time Payment for a Large Project with Difficult Client
Step 1 is to protect yourself with a clear scope of work. Write up a clear, concise scope of the work you are performing. Include not only the work being performed by also what is NOT being ...
- 201
10
votes
How to back out of a freelance project that has gotten too big?
she still owes me for the work I've done
How long has she owed you and how much? If she's past due on a payment, or owes you thousands, that could be enough reason to stop right there.
But should ...
- 1,660
10
votes
Accepted
How do freelance web developers approach security and liability?
I'm a freelance web developer and security researcher, so my experience may be a little biased.
In general, web development is a pretty insecure mess. More experienced developers are generally seen ...
- 1,227
9
votes
Client threatening legal action constantly
Life's too short..
You have 2 choices....
Invoice for the work you've completed. Wait until that invoice is paid. Then tell him you're done.
You'll package everything and prepare to deliver things ...
- 17.4k
9
votes
Can you perform/receive freelance work anonymously?
You can. At least when you are a writer or a programmer you can do it. Some of the most popular options as of now:
Writing articles for Everipedia. Unlikely to earn more than
10€ a day unless you ...
- 219
9
votes
Accepted
What to do when a client cancels project 1 day before delivery?
First off, I'm sorry to hear of your endeavor and that you had to deal with a nightmare client like that. I think we've all been there at least twice. Now then, hindsight is 20/20, so let's be ...
8
votes
Accepted
Is it unreasonable to withhold completed work if a contract hasn't been signed?
It is reasonable to expect a contract to be in place before the work is delivered. Personally, I would expect the contract to be in place before work begins.
My guess is they consider their verbal ...
- 196
8
votes
Accepted
Should an agreement with software engineer contractor include a clause that the engineer is not liable of any company's losses?
Under no circumstances should you allow yourself to have unlimited liability.
The phrase used in contracts to prevent this is usually of the form:
'You shall indemnify and hold the Developer harmless ...
- 1,227
8
votes
How to work with a micro-manage client
Sometimes the money is not worth it.
I offer discounted prices for well-behaved clients, and I overcharged the ones that are, well, no good people.
Here's how you've got to look at it, the client is ...
- 563
7
votes
Should bug fixing of a finished project be free?
For projects with big budgets, fixing the bugs and the maintenance can be included in the price since you can add more time for you and your team for the "testing phase."
But often you can get stuck ...
- 858
7
votes
Accepted
Charging for meetings/conference calls with a client
Traditionally as a freelancer it is your time and skill that is hired. So yes you bill for conference/meeting times.
It is customary to build in a few hours for discussion with every bid.
Some ...
- 17.4k
7
votes
Accepted
What to look for in an overseas equity agreement
Adventurer Beware!
Equity deals can be tricky things and I've never had great experiences with them but I have had two, and with those, I've learned a lot.
The first thing you need to know (and you ...
- 917
7
votes
Accepted
What to include in contract to identify the end of work?
Usually I work on a testing server that is not the final destination of the site. Once the client approve (by email is better but also verbally if it is a trusted client) the copy on the testing ...
- 2,044
7
votes
Do all clients requests, some off them or none at all?
Heres the thing....
You need to have a conversation with the client. Not emails, not texts, not instant messages, but a conversation as in speaking via telephone, Skype, or in person. The is no way ...
- 17.4k
7
votes
How to get Fiverr jobs at the beginning
As a beginner, try to keep your prices low, but not so low that it gives off an image of low quality. Add all the keywords that are relevant to your services. Also, along with keeping your images and ...
- 171
7
votes
How to work with a micro-manage client
Generally, you cannot change clients; you can merely select the ones you want to work for and those you don't. The only factor where you are in full control is how you handle a client.
For some ...
- 3,822
6
votes
How much payment should be required up front?
As a freelancer or consultant, you should always charge at least a percent of your total project free upfront. This has two immediate advantages:
It makes your client put some skin in the game. ...
- 331
6
votes
Monthly Fee vs. One-Time Payment for a Large Project with Difficult Client
For large projects I always do monthly billings to the client plus a prepayment before starting the project to pay initial costs.
It is perfectly OK to do like that, it is a mutual responsibility.
...
- 2,044
6
votes
Accepted
Client thinks a certain feature is included in the price, but it isn't
Assuming you're interested in the additional work, I would cite the original agreement and state that you're willing to create a new contract for this additional work (including a few examples of ...
- 341
6
votes
Accepted
Learning that my first bill will be paid after two months instead of one
Since you have DONE work and have not been paid before, you cannot do much but wait. Check the contract between you and your intermediary and push on him. If he has screwed up, let him pay you and ...
- 14.4k
6
votes
Accepted
When is a job too small for meetings?
I like this question: I struggled with the exact same thing with meetings in general. Clients one hour away asking me to join in on a meeting. I usually ended up spending an afternoon with 2 hours ...
- 1,629
6
votes
I grossly under estimated my costs for a job and want to renegotiate compensation. Should I?
No matter how you present it, that is blackmail. And I very much doubt a bank did not let you sign an NDA which prohibits you from using this data elsewhere.
Fixed price is exactly what the name ...
- 1,629
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible