If you spend Friday evenings sending "just a reminder…" messages, the problem usually isn't your clients — it's that payment is left until after the work, with no system behind it. The fix is to decide how each type of client pays before the first clean.

One-off and first cleans: take a deposit

End-of-tenancy, deep cleans and first visits carry the most risk of last-minute cancellations. A card deposit at booking — or when the client accepts your quote — means the client is committed, and a cancellation doesn't leave you out of pocket.

Keep it proportionate: a deposit that covers your time and travel is easier to agree to than full payment upfront. Make your cancellation terms clear at the point of booking.

Regular clients: Direct Debit

For weekly and fortnightly cleans, Direct Debit is the gold standard. The client sets it up once, you collect after each clean or each month, and nobody has to remember anything. Clients are protected by the Direct Debit Guarantee, which makes them comfortable saying yes.

Everyone else: card, straight after the clean

For clients who don't want Direct Debit, save a card at booking and charge it when the clean is done — or send an invoice with a "pay by card" link. The fewer steps between the invoice and the payment, the faster you get paid.

Make invoices and reminders automatic

  • Send the invoice the same day as the clean, while the work is fresh in the client's mind.
  • Put the payment link on the invoice itself.
  • Send a polite automatic reminder a few days after the due date — it does the awkward part for you.

Put it in writing

Simple, clear terms — when payment is due, how to pay, what happens if a clean is cancelled late — prevent most disputes before they start. Show them when clients book, not after.

How Gleamdesk helps

Gleamdesk takes card deposits on bookings and accepted quotes through your own Stripe account, collects Direct Debit through GoCardless, sends invoices automatically with payment links, and chases overdue invoices for you. Payments go straight to you — Gleamdesk doesn't take a cut.