I’m trying to figure out how to handle a client who’s been late on the last two invoices, and now they’re asking for a new project to start right away. I’m not sure if I should push for a new contract with stricter payment terms or just keep things as they are to avoid rocking the boat.
I get why this feels tricky a client who is late twice and now wants a new project puts your cash flow on edge and raises questions about payment terms.
From a risk standpoint a staged kickoff with clear milestones and holdbacks tied to payment milestones could keep things moving without losing trust.
Maybe the impulse is to keep things smooth and pretend the lateness never happened but the pattern will repeat unless you name payment terms and stick to them.
Is it possible that you are framing this as a fight over terms when a simple revised schedule and clear payment dates could do more good?
I am skeptical that pushing for a strict contract will fix the timing unless you show value and set consequences that you are ready to enforce.
Reframe the issue as a value exchange not a penalties chase define outcomes and their payment triggers and see how the client responds.