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Does your contract protect you from late payment?

In brief

A contract protects your cash when it is signed before the work starts, states the payment terms in days, sets a late-payment penalty, asks for a deposit, says how disputes are settled, and is backed by reminders sent on fixed dates. Six questions are enough to see where you stand.

Why these six questions

Most late payments start before the invoice: a job started without a signed order, terms left “to be agreed”, no price for delay. Without a written due date, there is no late payment, only a client taking their time. The questions follow the order of a business relationship: before the order, in the contract, then after the invoice.

Answer yes or no. Each “no” comes with the fix to make first. The score is calculated in your browser and nothing is sent. The test gives an indication; it does not replace a review of your contracts, which is part of the free diagnostic.

  1. Question 1 / 6Does every client sign a contract or written purchase order before work starts?

    If not: Get a purchase order signed before starting, even for regular clients.

  2. Question 2 / 6Are payment terms written, in days, in that document?

    If not: Write precise terms: “30 days from receipt of invoice”.

  3. Question 3 / 6Is a late-payment penalty set out in writing?

    If not: Add a stated late-payment penalty, accepted at signing.

  4. Question 4 / 6Do you ask for a deposit before starting?

    If not: Ask for a deposit: a client who paid to start wants the work to succeed.

  5. Question 5 / 6Does the contract say how a dispute will be settled, and by whom?

    If not: Add a dispute-resolution clause, decided calmly.

  6. Question 6 / 6Does someone follow up invoices on fixed dates, in writing?

    If not: Name one owner and a reminder calendar from D-5 to D+30.