I got a call to do some work for a new guy, this guy is working for a long time client, and he wanted some drawings.
No problem, one of my best clients, he gives me his name and email.
I ask if I'm billing my client or him.
He hims and haws, finally saying to bill him for the hour or so of work.
So I ask for some info, you know address, name of company, little stuff like that.
He says to just send it to the email. He insists, What the?????????????
I told him that isn't acceptable
No problem sending an invoice to someone's email, but I've set up a job by then, Yikes!!!
Correct. You need a snail mail address to send the certifield lawyer letters later to collect payment. Plus Bubba needs an address to knock down (I mean on) doors.
Brad Ott, post: 338017, member: 197 wrote: Correct. You need a snail mail address to send the certifield lawyer letters later to collect payment. Plus Bubba needs an address to knock down (I mean on) doors.
I really, really don't want to bill this guy, and he gave me a reference name who is a guy we had the worst time collecting from. Talk about red flags..................
"No problem sir! For clients without a billing address, we happily accept payment in advance."
I have a couple of engineers (civils, I call them) that include me in their work regularly. They like to call me up, tell me what they need, and then tell me to bill the client. I don't have a problem with that, but I insist on good, hard contact info AND the client's approval before I do anything. I continually get a lot of "it's ok, I've already talked to him" from the engineers, but I am adamant. There are a few of these civils that understand my idiosyncrasies, but a few still get indignant that I want to speak with the person that will be paying MY bill.
I can't understand their reluctance to give me their client's contact info, or have their client contact me. I simply want to connect with the person to whom I will be sending the bill, that's all.
Your alternative is to bill the Civil ..
paden cash, post: 338024, member: 20 wrote: I have a couple of engineers (civils, I call them) that include me in their work regularly. They like to call me up, tell me what they need, and then tell me to bill the client. I don't have a problem with that, but I insist on good, hard contact info AND the client's approval before I do anything. I continually get a lot of "it's ok, I've already talked to him" from the engineers, but I am adamant. There are a few of these civils that understand my idiosyncrasies, but a few still get indignant that I want to speak with the person that will be paying MY bill.
I can't understand their reluctance to give me their client's contact info, or have their client contact me. I simply want to connect with the person to whom I will be sending the bill, that's all.
just say, " I only bill people I'VE talked to, and so far... YOU are the ONLY one I've talked to...."- should solve the problem...
You are correct, and I fully understand that, but several months ago I new client called about a boundary survey. It was a legitimate junk car site, but he would not give me his e-mail address, regular mail address, or company name. When it was time for payment he wouldn't send a check, but drove over to my house with the cash. He just preferred secrecy.
Our E and O doesn't cover us without a contract. I'm not a lender and my volunteer time is after hours.
No contract, no work. That mesns an enforceable contract with vetted contact information. Without reference or history I'm getting 65% up front.
Never feel bad about protecting yourself. Legitimate clients won't mind a little caution.
Anyone here walked into an attorney's office and left without giving them a retainer? Why do some in our profession have such a hard time getting deposits , retainers, etc. Surveyors I talk to almost feel guilty getting paid.
Hack, post: 338248, member: 708 wrote: ....Surveyors I talk to almost feel guilty getting paid.
I've seen a few of those myself over the years. I've seen more surveyors that will reduce an invoice amount in a heartbeat when the client squeals. Bad business.
My worst habit use to be pouring over time sheets and whittling off an hour or two here or there because I knew it really wasn't productive time. I quickly realized I either needed to increase my hourly rate (to cover the "not-so-productive-time") or quit whittling on the invoice.
I did both. It's worked out great.
Billing is the main reason why I've chosen not to start my own business. I HATE discussions (some might call them arguments) over money.
The second reason is that if I started my own business I'd hate the boss...
I have never been asked for a retainer by an attorney. That would be exceptionally rude here in Smalltown USA.
Yeah. You can't get away from that rascal. Heck, he'll stare back at you in the bathroom mirror first thing in the morning and demand to know what you plan to accomplish before sundown.
If the "civil" wants to manage the client relationship that is fine, and that is understandable. But with that comes the responsibility to manage the billing. Can't have it both ways.
