Paid late, paid light
Clients pay late while freelancers absorb the gap. Statutory interest exists but nobody calculates it.
1. The problem
Freelancers chase invoices months late while the money quietly loses value. Contracts promise terms nobody enforces, and asking for interest feels aggressive to solos. Big clients stretch payments knowing small vendors fold first. The hardest part is pricing the delay without poisoning the relationship. A term might allow interest, yet no number ever appears on reminders. That uncertainty makes it hard to escalate firmly and stay professional.
“A client owes me three months and acts like time is free. I need the interest number on every reminder I send.”
2. What exists
Bonsai, HoneyBook and AND CO send reminders, while interest stays a manual spreadsheet exercise. Chasers nudge politely without ever naming the cost of delay. A reminder might work eventually, yet statutory rights go unmentioned. There is little help with automatic interest math plus escalating letters in firm polite tones.
3. The solution
The solution could be an interest engine for overdue invoices. It could take amount, due date and place, then compute the legal total daily. It could draft escalation letters that grow firmer with each step automatically. Each invoice could show a live counter clients can see. The goal would be payments on time driven by visible math, not threats.
FAQ
Common questions from people facing this problem.
Can freelancers charge interest on late invoices?
Yes in most places once terms state it; check local statutory rates first.
How to calculate late payment interest?
Apply the daily statutory rate to the overdue amount from the day after due.
How to chase very late invoices firmly?
Escalate in writing with totals growing daily, then pause work politely.
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