Freelancer Invoice Guide: Get Paid On Time
For freelancers, invoicing is cash flow. A tight process turns "we'll pay next month" into payment on the due date.
Agree terms before you start
Put scope, price, payment schedule and late fees in writing before the first hour of work. Most payment disputes are scope disputes in disguise.
Hourly, daily or fixed price
Hourly billing needs a time log attached to the invoice. Fixed-price work should be split into milestones — typically 50% deposit and 50% on delivery.
Invoice immediately
Send the invoice the day the milestone completes. Every day you delay is a day added to the payment cycle.
Chasing late payments
Send a polite reminder the day after the due date, then every seven days. Reference the invoice number and the agreed late fee.