How to accept payments for your home cleaning service business.

Is there anything worse than getting stiffed by a house cleaning client after you’ve done an amazing job? Whether they do it on purpose or make an honest mistake, you’re the one who loses out. Changing the way you accept payments can ensure you get paid for every job without waiting too long for your money.

Start with a clear agreement.

Create a contract template you can customize for each house cleaning with details of the scope of the job, your fees, and the terms of payment. Include additional clauses regarding late payment fees and the procedure for refunds in the event a customer is dissatisfied with the quality of the work.

In regards to payments, specify whether you want to be paid in full upfront, given a deposit prior to the job, or paid when the job is completed. This gives clients time to prepare and have their money ready in advance.

Decide what payment types to accept.

Cash and checks are common payment types for cleaning jobs and both require careful tracking and recording for tax purposes. Mobile deposit options make checks a little easier to handle than cash, but you still run the risk of checks bouncing or the deposit being delayed. Credit cards and electronic payments are preferable if you want to get your money faster and prevent problems with insufficient funds.

Process credit cards on the spot.

The fastest and most convenient way to get paid for cleaning services is with a mobile credit card reader for collecting payments at the time of services. Many payment processors offer portable devices compatible with smartphones and tablets. All you have to do is set up your account, connect the device, and swipe your client’s card.

A portion of each transaction goes toward fees when you accept payments this way, but adding new payment options for clients makes it easier for them to pay you and can attract more people to your business. That makes it a worthwhile investment.

Streamline invoicing.

For clients who don’t pay on the spot, automated invoicing is another option. Invoicing services let you create branded invoices, send them out, and set up reminders so that you don’t have to keep calling or emailing clients yourself.

Improving the tools you use to accept payments for your house cleaning business lets you accept more payment types and process payments faster. It’s a win-win situation in which you can increase your client base by making it easier for people to pay the way they prefer. Meanwhile, you get your money without the hassle of chasing down payments from delinquent customers.