How to Guarantee You Get Paid for Every Job

Every tradesperson has a horror story. You did the work. The customer seemed happy. Then the excuses started. "I'll pay you next week." "The bank transfer didn't go through." "I'm waiting on funds." Weeks turn into months. Sometimes you never see that money.

It doesn't have to be this way.

The reality: Over 82% of contractors wait more than 30 days to get paid. Some wait 60-90 days. Meanwhile, you've already paid for materials, fuel, and your own time.

This guide shows you how to protect yourself. How to set things up so you get paid - not just eventually, but quickly and reliably.

The Golden Rule: Never Start Work Without Protection

Before your tools leave the van, you need one of these in place:

1. A deposit in your account (not promised - actually received)
2. A signed agreement with clear payment terms
3. Customer funds held securely (more on this below)

If a customer refuses to pay any deposit or sign anything, that's a red flag. Good customers understand that tradespeople need protection too.

Strategy 1: Take Deposits (And Actually Wait for Them)

The simplest protection: don't start until money is in your account.

How Much Deposit?

Job Type	Recommended Deposit
Small jobs (under €500)	25-30% or full payment upfront
Medium jobs (€500-€5,000)	30-50%
Large jobs (over €5,000)	30-40% + staged payments
Materials-heavy jobs	Enough to cover materials + some labour

The Right Way to Take Deposits

Don't: Accept a promise to pay before you arrive Do: Wait until the deposit clears before ordering materials or booking the job

Don't: Take cash with no receipt Do: Invoice the deposit properly and keep records

Manano tip: Send a deposit invoice via WhatsApp. The customer gets a "Pay Now" button. Payment hits your account in minutes, not days. You know immediately if it's paid.

Strategy 2: Set Up Milestone Payments

For bigger jobs, waiting until the end to get paid is madness. You're carrying all the risk.

What Are Milestone Payments?

Instead of one big payment at the end, you get paid at key stages:

Example for an extension:

• 30% deposit (before you start)
• 25% when foundations complete
• 25% when first fix complete
• 20% on completion

Example for a bathroom:

• 50% deposit
• 50% on completion

Why Milestone Payments Work

1. Cash keeps flowing - You're not waiting 8 weeks with nothing coming in
2. Risk is shared - Customer pays as they see progress
3. Problems surface early - If they can't pay stage 2, you find out before finishing
4. Less scary for customers - Paying in stages feels safer than one big sum

Setting Up Milestones

Define milestones before you start:

• What marks each stage as complete?
• How soon after completion is payment due?
• What happens if payment doesn't arrive?

Put it in writing. Both sides sign it. No confusion later.

Strategy 3: Make Paying Easy

Here's a truth most tradespeople miss: customers often delay payment because paying is a hassle.

Bank transfers need sorting codes and account numbers. Cheques need posting. Cash needs a trip to the ATM.

Remove the friction:

Offer Multiple Payment Options

• Card payment - Fastest and easiest for most people
• Bank transfer - Include your details on every invoice
• Payment link - One tap and they've paid

Send Invoices Instantly

The longer you wait to invoice, the longer you wait to get paid.

Old way: Finish job Friday → Do invoices Sunday night → Customer gets invoice Monday → Pays in 14-30 days

Better way: Finish job Friday → Send invoice from site → Customer pays same day

Manano creates invoices in 30 seconds via WhatsApp. Include a "Pay Now" button. Customers can pay while you're still packing up.

Strategy 4: Use Payment Protection Services

For high-value jobs or new customers, consider services that hold funds until work is verified.

How Payment Protection Works

1. Customer puts project funds into a secure account
2. You do the work
3. When each milestone is complete, funds are released to you
4. If there's a dispute, the money is protected (not in the customer's pocket)

When to Use It

• Large jobs (€10,000+)
• New customers you haven't worked with before
• Customers who've been slow to pay in the past
• Jobs with lots of materials paid upfront

The Trade-Off

• Adds a small fee (usually 1-2%)
• Requires customer agreement
• Extra step in the process

But for big jobs, that 2% is insurance against losing everything.

Strategy 5: Know Your Customer

Sometimes the best protection is knowing who you're working for.

Green Flags

• They pay the deposit without fuss
• They've used tradespeople before (ask for references if you want)
• They respond quickly to messages
• They don't haggle aggressively on price

Red Flags

• "I'll pay you when my own client pays me"
• "Can we skip the deposit? I'm good for it"
• Vague about payment timing
• Previous tradesperson left job unfinished (find out why)

Trust your gut. If something feels off, protect yourself more aggressively or walk away.

Strategy 6: Document Everything

If a payment dispute ends up in court, documentation wins.

Keep Records Of

• Written quotes with clear scope and price
• Signed agreements or written acceptance
• Progress photos showing work completed
• Messages confirming agreement and satisfaction
• Invoices with dates and payment terms
• Payment receipts for what's been paid

Make It Easy

You don't need fancy systems. Photos on your phone. Messages saved. Invoices sent through a proper system (not scribbled on notepaper).

Manano keeps all your invoices, quotes, and customer records in one place. If you ever need to prove what was agreed, it's all there.

What If They Still Don't Pay?

Even with protection, sometimes customers don't pay. Here's the escalation path:

Step 1: Friendly Reminder (Day 1-7)

"Hi [Name], just checking the invoice came through okay? Let me know if you need the payment link again."

Step 2: Formal Reminder (Day 7-14)

Written reminder stating the amount owed, due date, and that late payment interest may apply.

Step 3: Final Demand (Day 14-21)

Letter stating this is the final notice before further action. Give 7 days to pay.

Step 4: Legal Options (Day 21+)

• Small Claims Court for debts under €2,000
• Debt collection agency for larger amounts
• Statutory late payment interest (8% + ECB rate in Ireland)

The earlier steps usually work. Most people pay when they realise you're serious.

The Manano Approach to Getting Paid

Manano builds payment protection into everyday invoicing:

1. Deposit invoices - Create and send in seconds via WhatsApp
2. Instant payment links - Customer pays by card in one tap
3. Payment tracking - See what's paid and what's outstanding
4. Fast payment - Money arrives same day, not in 30 days
5. All records kept - Everything documented automatically

You focus on the work. We make sure you get paid for it.

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Quick Reference: Payment Protection Checklist

Before every job:

• Deposit amount agreed
• Deposit actually received (not just promised)
• Payment terms clear in writing
• Milestones defined for bigger jobs
• Easy payment method available

After completing work:

• Invoice sent immediately
• Payment link included
• Follow up if not paid on time
• Records saved

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Ready to get paid faster? Manano invoices include instant payment links. Customers tap to pay. Money in your account the same day. Try it free on WhatsApp: Get Started