[besson3c]

Hello,

I'm looking for ideas as to how much people charge as late fees for outstanding balances that are due? Would anybody care to share? If you are a graphic designer I'd like to hear from you too!

[Big Mac]

Isn't it up to you and based on your relationship with your client?

Personally, in my experience I've never seen a late fee assessed on anything other than a credit card.

Edit: Or a late tax payment.

[besson3c]

Well, I'm thinking of a policy that discourages lateness and what sort of late fee, if any, might be appropriate.

[Eyenigma]

Late fee? I'd suggest being VERY careful ever deploying a project without getting payment in full. For what it's worth, I'd suggest doing a 50/50 or 30/30/40 milestone payment. Of the two, I prefer the 50/50 for smaller and midsize projects. That way, the day the site goes live you get paid. No more chasing down deadbeat clients who don't pay.

You do have some sort of written agreement, I hope?

[besson3c]

Yeah, although the exact late fee was not specified very clearly. I did get paid a retainer up front, what is not happening promptly is the final installment, it looks like it will occur after our original agreement. I should think about getting the final payment before making the site live, although there are usually tweaks needed post launch, and I host my sites on my own server anyway, so I have some leverage. I just need to better refine how to utilize my powers fairly and perhaps redefine payment policy.

I hate chasing people to pay, that's easily the one thing I miss about a 9 to 5 job!