Posts: 0
Threads: 0
Joined: May 2004
22nd August 2006, 05:08 PM
Heres a question....
As a freelance you put in your invoice and expect to be paid within at least 30 days of the invoice date (even earlier is better - but hey... it is the legal maximum time) Do people find that some companies adopt a policy of not paying until the end of the month after the month you send you invoice... so for example if you put in an invoice on the 3rd of July you won't get paid until the end of August.
I found this advice ... so wondered if freelancers are being expected to wait .. when they are the ones that can least afford it.
http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/act...1073965654
(its a long link... so ensure you copy all of it)
It can be very difficult for individuals - so why make it harder.
I remember one group of Diggers (back when they were being 'employed' as self employed) who had to wait 7 weeks for payment .. which is a long time to be without money.
Is this widespread? Is it a problem...? what are people thoughts.?
Another day another WSI?
For really I think that the poorest he that is in England hath a life to live, as the greatest he
Thomas Rainborough 1647
Posts: 0
Threads: 0
Joined: Oct 2005
22nd August 2006, 05:33 PM
It is very much a common issue for all sub's, not just archaeologists. I have heard of several very large companies who operate on similar lines to those you describe - I know of one archaeological project where invoices were left unpaid for nearly nine months
I have found in previous jobs that payment terms are invariably ignored if you aren't careful about whose terms and conditions are primary in the contract. Something to bear in mind.
Desiderate le fritture con quello?
Posts: 0
Threads: 0
Joined: May 2004
22nd August 2006, 06:23 PM
It's not a good way to go... Cashflow is always a trouble for small companies and individuals - and often it is the bigger comapnies (like big BIG builders groups ) that are the worst.
Another day another WSI?
Posts: 0
Threads: 0
Joined: Jun 2006
22nd August 2006, 09:35 PM
I have had one bad experience with an Archaeology Unit ( a frequent advertiser on BAJR!) who took 18 weeks to pay my final invoice. I was ready to issue a small claims court summons when he finally paid me. Needless to say I will have nothing to do with that unit again.
Another company , also a frequent BAJR advertiser, pays my invoices within 10 days.
Magpie
Posts: 0
Threads: 0
Joined: May 2004
22nd August 2006, 09:48 PM
I guess thats the crux... the eventual loser is the company... in this case an archaeological company... where you think thwice about using them again..
Afraid even BAJR is not imune! and much time is spent trying to get paid... sigh!
Another day another WSI?
Posts: 0
Threads: 0
Joined: Apr 2006
23rd August 2006, 01:07 PM
How 'big' is a big company? Most archaeological companies are small and often suffer as many cash-flow problems with larger development companies not paying their invoices also.
If you are a sub-contractor, it is my understanding that most companies deal with invoices at the end of each month and pay the following month. Is this not the normal practice?
I'm not an accountant though, so, unless it is written in the initial contract that invoices are paid 28 days from the [u]date </u>of the invoice (rather than the end of the month) do you have a leg to stand on?
If you are waiting months for an invoice to be paid then I agree - it's their loss!
Posts: 0
Threads: 0
Joined: May 2004
23rd August 2006, 01:27 PM
Thatâs true, many companies place in their contract with the sub contractor, that invoices are paid at the end of the month after the month they receive. However, you have to agree to this, so look at the small print.
It does come down to a thing called Battle of Forms. If you have not signed a contract with them that agrees to these terms before they sign your terms and conditions then yours are binding over theirs. If you have never signed anything, then your terms are binding. It is always best top make people aware of the conditions prior to any workâ¦
It is quite possible to process money quickly, and often it is the bigger the company, the bigger the wait.
Another day another WSI?
Posts: 0
Threads: 0
Joined: Dec 2004
24th August 2006, 08:31 PM
I was stupid enough to run my own little empire for while and found that a little note on the bottom of the invoice explaining that a 3% charge would apply for every month the invoice remained unpaid.Administration costs guv.
..knowledge without action is insanity and action without knowledge is vanity..(imam ghazali,ayyuhal-walad)
Posts: 0
Threads: 0
Joined: Oct 2005
25th August 2006, 09:51 AM
I would be very wary over relying on admin charges for overdue invoices as a stick to beat people with. My limited bitter experience of the courts response to the demand for these charges was met with a reduction to what was 'reasonable'.
Desiderate le fritture con quello?
Posts: 0
Threads: 0
Joined: Jul 2005
31st August 2006, 02:31 PM
I think that the main part of the answer here is "make sure that payment terms are clearly stated and agreed in the contract before you sign it."
Payment terms are covered in detail in the ICE Conditions of Contract for Field Investigation, and for many freelancers that may be an appropriate set of terms and conditions to use. The default period in those conditions is 28 days after delivery of the invoice. There are also provisions for the charging of interest on overdue payments.
However, it is an age-old problem for all small contractors/ subcontractors in any industry. The power is with the client; you are more dependant on them than they are on you; if you want repeat business, you probably won't want to upset them by enforcing the letter of the conditions.
1man1desk
to let, fully furnished
