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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to charge a client I am going to fire?

75 replies

LemonSwan · 14/07/2021 21:17

We unfortunately have to fire a client.

Its just not working.

Would you charge the client for work to date, or give all work for free as a gesture of good will to the parting of ways.

I am conflicted.

On the one hand I am firing them because I cannot trust they will pay as they are very rude and accusatory about our service.

On the other hand I just want this relationship finished as they have crossed a line today.

WWYD?

OP posts:
BioBins · 14/07/2021 21:21

If you’re not going to have a working relationship after x date. Can you charge them appropriately, and then take them to small claims court if they don’t pay?

Shirleyphallus · 14/07/2021 21:22

Bill them for the work you’ve done to date then fire them?

earlydoors42 · 14/07/2021 21:23

Why would you give them anything for free? Charge them and sack them.

Gazelda · 14/07/2021 21:23

@BioBins

If you’re not going to have a working relationship after x date. Can you charge them appropriately, and then take them to small claims court if they don’t pay?
I'd do this.
Original poster
LemonSwan · 14/07/2021 21:24

Yes thats the question @Shirleyphallus

Do I bill them, then fire them.

Or just fire them and say dont worry about it.

OP posts:
Mountaingoatling · 14/07/2021 21:25

Of course they need to pay!! And you should invoice!

Please don't feel guilty.

Shirleyphallus · 14/07/2021 21:26

Nah, bill them then fire them

What did they do wrong, just out of interest?

Original poster
LemonSwan · 14/07/2021 21:27

If you’re not going to have a working relationship after x date. Can you charge them appropriately, and then take them to small claims court if they don’t pay?

We are currently mid project, but the relationship is not working.

I feel as we are walking away mid project they are not getting the full package they set out to pay for originally so is it unfair to charge them part way.

OP posts:
cansu · 14/07/2021 21:31

I think it depends on what they will need to do after you fire them. If they are realistically going to need to get a new firm who will bill for all the work then yes, you will need to take the hit. If what you have done is useful and won't need to be redone then yes they need to pay.

Still1nLove · 14/07/2021 21:31

It depends on the t’s and c’s of your contract.
If you have grounds for immediate termination of contract then I would invoice them for the work done and then terminate.
If the conditions for termination of contract are not clear or could cause you further problems then I might consider just walking away, depending on how much money you’d be losing?

Jangle33 · 14/07/2021 21:33

What does the contract say? Do you have valid grounds for termination? Can you actually just walk away or might they sue you for non delivery?

andyindurham · 14/07/2021 21:34

Isn't there some kind of break clause in the contract? That should inform where you go from here, shouldn't it? I'd expect an option for either party to withdraw if unhappy with the working relationship and I'd seek to use it if I wasn't happy with the client.

If the client is as unhappy as claimed, they might also look to use the same break clause.

In this specific case, though, if you think they're likely to refuse to pay when the project is done, I suspect they are incredibly unlikely to pay if the project is never completed. How much hassle is the unpaid work worth, and how much of what has been done could be taken (for free) and used as the basis of another project?

Piglet89 · 14/07/2021 21:35

What’s the contract say?

Original poster
LemonSwan · 14/07/2021 21:35

Sorry I should add the relationship would likely continue for around 6 months until end which is why we are thinking of calling it quits.

What did they do wrong, just out of interest?
Its not one thing its a series of behaviour. To sum it up: Extremely rude and accusatory.

Today we were accused of rushing through a meeting in order to watch the football; when it was an off the cuff comment by my partner on leaving along the lines of 'ooo I will be able to catch the last 20 minutes of the football' (just amicable small talk) & they previously said they were happy with the meeting and called it 'productive'.

So we are just at a loss here because we need to have a good relationship to do the job we do. Its very back and forth and needs to be amicable and there needs to be trust and respect.

OP posts:
Original poster
LemonSwan · 14/07/2021 21:36

We are idiots. We have no contract with break clauses/ termination details etc.

OP posts:
Original poster
LemonSwan · 14/07/2021 21:38

If the client is as unhappy as claimed, they might also look to use the same break clause.

Its odd because they are asking us to quote for another project.

OP posts:
CrikeyPeg · 14/07/2021 21:39

What's the value of work you've done so far? Is it worth billing them and then worrying about whether they pay or not, or do you just cut your losses to get rid of them and not give them any further headspace? If you bill them and they don't pay, are you able to send them to a collection agency and lump them with the agency fees? Here (NZ) we're covered to add collection costs to a debt if a client doesn't pay, as long as they're advised at the outset that that may happen in the event of non or late payment. I make sure I have that on every quote I do, and will follow up with a text or email if I give a quote or estimate over the phone.

I've never had to send anyone to collection but I did dump one client who wanted everyting done yesterday and was slow to pay, even though he loved the work I produced for him. He did come back a couple of months later but I just said no.

PrincessNutella · 14/07/2021 21:40

what are they supposed to do with a half completed job? Can another company do the other half or would they have to start from scratch?

Dontwatchfootball · 14/07/2021 21:42

In general I think people should pay when you have done work for them. So bill first then fire.

PrincessNutella · 14/07/2021 21:42

A lot of free-lance work doesn't just involve hours, it involves a product of some sort that one promises to deliver, so if you don't deliver anything of value, it doesn't seem reasonable to charge.

Original poster
LemonSwan · 14/07/2021 21:43

Can another company do the other half or would they have to start from scratch?

They could take what we have done so far and take it forward.

Its more it seems easier to fire and not charge. Perhaps thats best.

OP posts:
BathshebaKnickerStickers · 14/07/2021 21:44

What football..? Unless your local team has warm up matches, (our local team is involved in the very very first football of next season next week in the very early qualifying rounds of the lowest European Competition)…

It’s now working out. Here is the bill for what we have done. Thank you.

melj1213 · 14/07/2021 21:44

Depends how much work you've already done and how much you're willing to write off.

If you were 6 months into a 9 month project or have already put in a significant number of hours/effort/resources to the project then I would definitely want to be paid for that.

If its a few weeks into a year long contract then I'd cut my losses and just say its not working so I'm not going to charge you and just walk away. If they want access to any work you've already done (eg if they go to another company and don't want to have to delay the project by repeating the last few weeks work) then can you offer it at a fee so if they don't pay then they don't get your work?

onceivepostedidontcomeback · 14/07/2021 21:46

I'm a great believer in picking your battles. If you can afford to lose the money I'd lose it and then that's it finished.

One other thing, they'll likely have plenty to say about your company, don't rise to it.

Idontgiveagriffindamn · 14/07/2021 21:48

It would depend on your contract surely and how you’ve structured the terms of payment.