Do you bill monthly?

[SpokaneSRC]

If you have contract customers, do you bill them monthly? and if so, do you ever bill for the previous months cuts or are they always billed and paid prior to cutting? I was thinking for customers who sign at least a 3 month contract, that I would bill them at the end of the month and have it due by the 10th of the next month. Too risky?

[950thomas]

Lawn care business tips

I bill monthly my customers pay after work is performed

[shadrach]

We bill monthly. If its 4 cuts, bill is sent day of 2nd cut and due day after 4th cut (if 5 cuts then its 3rd and 5th cuts). If payment not received by day before the 1st cut of next month we stop until payment is received.

[mark123]

I bill on the last day of the month for work performed that month.

[Growing Green]

For me it depends on when the agreement is started. For example, if someone signs an agreement started today then April 5th, will be the next invoice date and they have 15 days to pay or they receive a late payment and work ceases until they pay.

Matt

[Hedgemaster]

For those who bill monthly, do you do so for ALL customers, or are there some who WANT to pay you at the time of service, or perhaps even send you a check without ever getting a bill?

Curious, as I haven't figured out how to handle this part yet, and spring is about here!
I'm used to people being home when I do work and they pay before i leave.

[jymie]

The only billing I usually do is my commercials. I collect the residentials as they get serviced.

[Simpkins]

I billed monthly when I ran my business. The 30th of every month, I'd send invoices out and state that the "Due Date" was the 15th. This was billed once work was done. You are taking a risk I suppose doing this but you can usually tell what you are getting into. If you don't feel right about it, require prepayment.

[mark123]

Originally Posted by Hedgemaster

For those who bill monthly, do you do so for ALL customers, or are there some who WANT to pay you at the time of service, or perhaps even send you a check without ever getting a bill? ...

Yes, some people can't stand to let me leave without paying. Actually, it's more work. 4-5 payments per month to record instead of one. I can't complain though.

[Hedgemaster]

Originally Posted by mark123

Yes, some people can't stand to let me leave without paying. Actually, it's more work. 4-5 payments per month to record instead of one. I can't complain though.

That's sort of what I was wondering... does it make things too complicated if some people want to pay "now" as opposed to waiting?

I'd imagine "monthly" would work very well for a "contract" client, but how about "one time" customers - say a hedge cutting job - do you bill them at the end of the month as well, or is that a "take it as soon as you can get it" situation?