Does anyone here take deposits?

[D_saum]

I was just going over some contracts trying to pick out the best one for my purposes and it has a section in it for a deposit that will be applied toward the last month of mowing. I was just curious how everyone else does it? Thanks!

Dave

[Bikehigh]

Deposit for what?

It sounds like a bad business, and implies a total lack of trust. If you don't trust your customer, ask for payment up front. Taking chances on getting payed, is just par tof the price of doing business, no matter what business you are in. It's not like you are at risk of your customers damaging your equipment.

[Rustic Goat]

If you're dealing with a particular one time job, or job requiring an expenditure on your part for materials (whether lawn care or other) then you'd get an amount of $ paid up front on the acceptance of your proposal in contract form.
The balance would be paid on completion.

Or, similar to mentioned-
A job that might seem a bit unusual (in size or type), get paid in total up front.

If you allow it, you will, sooner or later, fall from the highest point you can climb. Financially speaking.

[lw4259]

deposit

I had situations last year where i signed up a new customer but then before the first mow cancelled. I wasnt sure why maybe they found someone cheaper or decided on doing it themself.

This year i am thinking of getting a non refundable deposit on new customers that will be applied to the first lawn service. I am not sure what i would do if they were to cancel once i have the check in hand. Probabley return but i am unsure.

[Stephen M.]

I take deposits on large landscaping jobs. I'm also leaning towards getting a credit card number in case I don't get paid in a timely manner.

[Lawngodfather]

All landscaping I do is 50% down.

[MEvans857]

I wouldn’t' take deposit's on lawn accts. It implies no trust to them, and that you’re desperate to hold onto any acct you can get. I do deposits on anything I have a potential of loosing $$$ on which would be material related job's labor not being included of course. On all landscape job's I get 20% up front no matter what. Even if you have a good customer you never know what may happen. This is all residential of course, commercial is a different ball game you really out on a limb with them but it's usually just a matter of when with them not will they.

[Haworths]

50% down on all landscaping projects. Lawn accounts are contracts and customer pay each month.