Just lost a full day's pay because my contract didn't have a kill fee

I mean, a client ghosted me halfway through a project and I had nothing in writing about payment for work already done. It was a $500 job and I'm just out that money now. Has anyone else had to add a kill fee clause after getting burned?

3 comments

3 Comments

jade6181mo ago

Ugh, that's the worst feeling. I got burned on a website copy project last year, same deal. Now my contract says if they cancel after I start, they owe 50% for work done up to that point. I also break payments into chunks, like 30% to start, 30% at first draft, 40% at final. It stops them from just walking away scot-free.

averymitchell1mo ago

Smart move with the payment chunks.

sarah_johnson4621d ago

Hate to say it but you gotta learn that lesson the hard way like most of us do. Its not just freelance stuff either I've noticed people in general try to get away with whatever they can if you let them. Like even just asking a friend to help move and they suddenly disappear when you need them. Thats why I put a 50% deposit on everything now even small favors sometimes. People respect you more when you set clear boundaries upfront.