How long is it reasonable to expect clients to take to pay?

[pixiefluff]

Hi..
I am self employed massage therapist, work for organisations on set days & I invoice my bill every month.One company in particular is taking longer & longer to send the cheque...usually at least a month after I invoice them.
Apparently (they say)it is quite normal for businesses to take a while to pay their sessional staff.
I am not sure this is true.
Just wondered if any of you are in the same boat, or have any experience in this. Are my expectations unrealistic/unreasonable?
Many thanks.

30 day terms is quite normal. I would be worrying though about them taking longer than usual. This could indicate a cash flow problem.

Could you change the terms and conditions that you work for them - so that if they pay late - later than whatever period you want - they pay a late fee, too?

Thanks for your responses.

Stream - good idea, although I think they may well start to look around for another therapist if I suggest that!
I think clarifying how long it should take to pay would be helpful for both of us, though.

Thanks again.

What do your contracts/invoices say? I used to say 28 days and now say 2 weeks as I need that cash in!

I would start chasing everyday - I find the only way to get paid by some people is to constantly hassle them.

We State our terms on every invoice we send out. DH only applies 30 days to those companies who state 30 days all the rest get 60 days.
On payments to us he is on the phone at 7 days passed 30 days which we send out every 7 days. It's a tough world out there and unfortunatly he who shouts the loudest gets paid first. We shout very loud and long.