Is Net 15 or Net 30 better for getting paid faster?

Net 15 gets you paid faster on paper, but the real lever is setting *any* clear term and enforcing it consistently — a lot of late payment happens because the due date was never explicit, not because the client is refusing to pay. If a client insists on Net 30, that's fine; just make sure it's written on every invoice, not left implied.

Can I legally charge a late fee in Canada?

Yes, as long as the fee (or interest rate) is disclosed to the client before the work starts — typically in your contract, quote, or the payment terms printed on your invoices from the beginning of the relationship. Adding a late fee to an invoice after the fact, with no prior agreement, is much harder to enforce and can reasonably be disputed.

Is it normal to ask for a deposit upfront?

Very normal, especially for new clients or larger projects — 25-50% upfront is common for project-based work, and covering material costs upfront is standard for trades. It's not unprofessional to ask; it's a basic cash-flow protection most experienced freelancers and contractors use.

What's the difference between an Interac e-Transfer request and just giving my email?

A direct e-Transfer *request* (sent from your bank, specifying the amount) puts the exact amount and a due-feeling prompt in front of the client, versus just handing over your email and hoping they remember to send the right amount. Not every bank supports sending requests, but if yours does, it removes a small but real point of friction.

How to Get Paid Faster in Canada

Late payment usually isn't refusal — it's friction. Here's how Canadian freelancers and small businesses actually shorten the gap between finishing work and getting paid.

By InvoiceFlow Canada Team · Updated July 19, 2026

Quick answer

The single biggest lever is setting clear, written payment terms before the work starts and invoicing immediately when it's done — most late payment is oversight, not refusal. After that: make paying frictionless (list every payment method you accept, including e-Transfer), follow up a few days before the due date rather than after, and only escalate to late fees or formal collection once you've given a client a reasonable, clearly-communicated chance to pay.

How to get invoices paid faster in Canada

1
Set clear payment terms before the work starts
State your payment terms (e.g. Net 15, 50% deposit) in your quote or contract, and repeat them on every invoice — don't let a client discover your terms for the first time when the invoice arrives.
2
Invoice immediately, not eventually
Send the invoice the same day the work is finished (or immediately after each milestone) rather than batching it for later — every day between finishing work and invoicing is a day added to how long you'll wait to get paid.
3
Make paying as frictionless as possible
List every payment method you actually accept (e-Transfer, cheque, credit card) directly on the invoice, and if your bank supports it, send a direct Interac e-Transfer request for the exact amount rather than making the client calculate and initiate it themselves.
4
Follow up before it's overdue, not after
A short, friendly reminder 2-3 days before the due date catches most late payments before they happen — most delays are oversight, not refusal.
5
Escalate calmly if it goes past due
First follow-up: reference the invoice number and due date directly. Second follow-up (past 30 days): apply your stated late fee if you have one. Past 60-90 days with no response: consider a formal demand letter, or small claims court for larger amounts (limits vary by province).

Payment terms at a glance

Net 15: Payment due 15 days after the invoice date. The most common default for freelancers and small businesses — short enough to protect cash flow, standard enough that clients won't push back.
Net 30: Payment due 30 days after the invoice date. Common with larger/corporate clients whose accounts payable process runs on a monthly cycle — if a bigger client insists on this, it's usually not personal, just how their AP department operates.
Due on receipt: Payment expected immediately. Reasonable for smaller jobs, one-off work, or clients you don't have an ongoing relationship with — less common for larger project or retainer work.
Deposit + balance (e.g. 50/50): Part of the total due upfront before work starts, the rest on completion or delivery. Standard for larger projects, new clients, and materials-heavy trades work.

A short, effective follow-up template

For an invoice that's a few days overdue — direct, not aggressive, and references the specifics:

"Hi [Name], just following up on Invoice #[number], sent [date], for $[amount] — it looks like it's a few days past the [due date] due date. Let me know if there's an issue on your end or if you need anything from me to process it. Thanks!"

Put clear payment terms on every invoice

Free, no signup — set your terms, list your payment methods, and send it the same day the work is done.

Create your invoice

Frequently asked questions

Invoice Numbering Best PracticesA clean, gap-free numbering system makes tracking who's paid and who hasn't much easier.Freelancer Invoicing in CanadaThe full legal requirements and province-by-province tax rates in one place.Invoice vs. ReceiptMake sure you're sending the right document at the right stage of getting paid.Free Invoice GeneratorSet your payment terms once and they're ready on every invoice you send.