[Stoots]

I dont have any commercial jobs, i think ive done maybe 3 in the past.

Anyway i was asked to quote on 4 properties (apartment blocks) for a letting agent.

I reckon a days work  i quoted them at £560 not really expecting to get it but i ended up getting the job 

What i want to know is before i go and do them what info do i need from the letting agent ? Should i ask what there payment terms are etc or should i be telling them my terms ? Should i be giving them a written quote detailing exactly what work is to be carried out ?Just wondering what i should be doing to make sure that they dont mess me about really. Does anyone have a procedure in place for dealing with commercial clients ?

thanks

[Splash & dash]

I dont have any commercial jobs, i think ive done maybe 3 in the past.

Anyway i was asked to quote on 4 properties (apartment blocks) for a letting agent.

I reckon a days work  i quoted them at £560 not really expecting to get it but i ended up getting the job 

What i want to know is before i go and do them what info do i need from the letting agent ? Should i ask what there payment terms are etc or should i be telling them my terms ? Should i be giving them a written quote detailing exactly what work is to be carried out ?Just wondering what i should be doing to make sure that they dont mess me about really. Does anyone have a procedure in place for dealing with commercial clients ?

thanks

All this should have been sorted out and put in your original written quote ,it’s a bit late now .  Depending on the company they will dictate to you payment terms and time scale especially if a large company . Most management companies we do work for pay within 28 days of the job completion  and receipt of invoice

[zesty]

Nice number if it’s regular!

They’ll pay, just send invoice and wait, if nothing comes through by the end of the next month, hassle them.

[Ascjim]

I would always send a written quote with your terms.

But the bigger companies do have their own payment terms. The longest we wait is 3 months, but we do a lot for them.

[Pete Thompson]

One thing I would do (having learned from experience) is to catalogue and photograph existing damage to the windows etc (that you could potentially be blamed for).

Send the list, along with the photographs in an email. That way they will be less likely to blame you for any existing damage.

Other than that, letting agents are usually very good to work for. We do work for 4 different agents, and they are all professional and pay within a few days of sending the invoice.

They are also chill about windows that can’t be done for whatever reason, such as power lines too close or that it would require standing in the road (which we will not do). The response has always been “sure, fine, we understand”. That’s a contrast to owners who will often greet that sort of thing with a sour look.

[robbo333]

You have left a few bits a bit late but:
Double check which email you have to send your invoice to (it's normally a separate one from your quote).
and phone and check they have received your invoice for payment.
Also check which  'reference' they would like you put for your particular buildings; sometimes the address is not enough.
Some companies can be lapse on paying by saying they haven't received your email, or it's gone to the wrong department etc etc.