We introduced seasonal service agreements that require full payment upfront before starting the services. This approach not only helped us identify clients who might struggle with payments, but it also significantly reduced the time spent on administration. No more follow-ups, phone calls, emails, or even house visits—just a smoother process all around!
To address your question, I always made it a point to either call or visit clients in person. As the bookkeeper, I know that an in-person meeting may not be part of your role, but sometimes these conversations can lead to quick resolutions or payment arrangements.
For our residential clients, lawn mowing is often seen as a luxury (although there are exceptions like seniors, short-term rentals, or vacant properties). Most of our clients are capable of maintaining their own lawns, so when finances get tight, lawn care services are usually among the first payments to be missed.
As I mentioned earlier, consider implementing a “Pay upfront to join our roster” policy. This way, you can put any payment concerns behind you!
