setting up a new property maintenance business (invoicing)

[garrylee05]

I am a multi-trade property maintenance man and setting up my own business as have been laid off. I am going to offer a quick response property repair service but am not sure how to get paid.
I am going to approach estate agents for work from their landlords at first and see how that goes.
When ever I get a job I was going to take the invoice address info down and the site address and just invoice for payment within 30 days but I have spoke to people who have said i should request payment on completion, this isnt allways that easy as some landlords do not live close to the properties in which I could be doing work for..

I guess my question is what would be the best way to accept payment.

also I am going to send my rates and services to the estate agents for distribution to landlords for when and if they require my services but I am not sure if I need to get the landlords to agree to some terms and conditions prior to me attending a job or should i not be complicating things at this early stage.

[garrylee05]

a

[garrylee05]

any help appreciated

[coccinelle]

We let a house which is miles away from where we live. We usually get a quote e-mailed to us which we accept and once the job is done the invoice is sent to us and payment is within 15 days usually.
If the estate agent is taking in rent etc for the landlord maybe the estate agent would foot the bill out of the rent; just an idea...
Good look in your new enterprise.

[garrylee05]

thanks coccinelle do you phone the contractor direct or through your agent

[coccinelle]

We don't have an agent so phone direct.