Just wondering if any of you guys charge a late fee. I started charging this spring and have already collected $637.00. I can't beleive I didn't do this sooner. I bill the first of the month for the last months mowing and give them till the 15th to pay, after that the late fee kicks in.
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Late Fee
- Thread starter Bink
- Start date
Eric ELM
Husband, Father, Friend, Angel
- Location
- Chicago, IL USA
You must have some big accounts or a lot of late payers. Tell us what your doing, because your doing something right. 
We only have one late payer, but they always pay. Sometimes they get a month or 2 ahead, so we don't worry about it.
We only have one late payer, but they always pay. Sometimes they get a month or 2 ahead, so we don't worry about it.Kent Lawns
LawnSite Senior Member
- Location
- Midwest
That is a lot of money.
We spend more time assesing the fee and than deleting it from the accounting program (Cuz they seldom pay it anyway)
I'm not in the business of accessing/collecting late fees and I won't keep customers that pay late.
We spend more time assesing the fee and than deleting it from the accounting program (Cuz they seldom pay it anyway)
I'm not in the business of accessing/collecting late fees and I won't keep customers that pay late.
Kent Lawns
LawnSite Senior Member
- Location
- Midwest
That makes sense.
Collecting $3 from 15 customer....
Collecting $3 from 15 customer....
cos
LawnSite Addict
- Location
- southeast pa
Soumds like i have to start chargin a late fee.
Evan528
LawnSite Silver Member
- Location
- Montgomery County, PA.
this year started a using a 15 dollar late fee. It amazes me how the same people month after month are late and pay the late fee... do you think theyd learn the first time? its also funny how some of my strictly mowing customer who dont have the money for add ons dont mind paying a late fee month after month. I made quite a bit of money from late fees this year too.
- Thread Starter
- #8
Evan, Your right about the same customers paying the late fee. You mentioned you charge a flat 15.00 fee, I charge 15 percent of the total bill. I started this just to incourage my customers to pay on time which most of them do, but the one's that don't seem to be willing to pay the late fee which in turn has in the long run made me more money.
Richard Martin
LawnSite Fanatic
- Location
- Greenville, NC
Please be aware that there are laws governing late fees which vary from state to state. Some states have no laws and some are heavily regulated like Maryland. If in doubt check with your local States Attorney. They would be the experts since they would be the ones coming after you. All it would take would be one complaint and you could end up oweing thousands of dollars out to your customers and paying huge fines. I've seen it happen.
Lawn-Scapes
LawnSite Silver Member
- Location
- Maryland
Richard or anyone else..
I was thinking about a flat fee of $10. Do you know what the % is for Maryland?
I was thinking about a flat fee of $10. Do you know what the % is for Maryland?