As a craftsman, whether he is a mason, plumber, electrician or any other type of independent professional, managing payment terms is essential to the good management of his business. Craftsmen, like any other business, must comply with specific rules and laws when it comes to settling invoices. These rules aim to protect artisans from late payments and to ensure that they are paid within a reasonable time for their work. However, these timelines can sometimes be confusing. In this article, we'll explore the payment deadline for artisans, legal obligations, and how a craftsman can manage payment terms to get paid on time.
The general rule in France for the payment of an invoice between professionals is 30 days. This period starts from receipt of the invoice. This principle is enshrined in the Commercial Code and was put in place to protect businesses against abusive late payment practices.
The payment term of 30 days is therefore the basic legal period that applies in the majority of cases, unless otherwise provided in a Contract. This rule applies to all sectors, including crafts, when the company is in a relationship with a professional customer. However, if the terms of payment are different in the Contract or quote signed, these conditions must be met.
In some cases, a 30-day payment term can be extended if a settlements Between the shopper And theventure explicitly provides for it. For example, a payment schedule can be set up to facilitate payment in several installments. If this delay is provided, it must be mentioned on the invoice.
However, a payment term cannot exceed 60 days from the receipt of the invoice in the case of commercial relationships with a professional customer. Any agreement setting a payment term longer than this maximum period of 60 days must be justified by objective reasons And to be indicated on the invoice or in the contract signed between the parties.
It is important to note that if the payment deadline is not respected, thewright may require late payment penalties. These late payment penalties are provided for by law, and are calculated from the due date of the bill. The penalty rate must be specified in the Contract Or the general conditions of sale and, failing that, it can be calculated based on the European Central Bank (ECB) interest rate plus 10 points.
There is also a fixed compensation for recovery costs of €40 for each unpaid invoice, applicable in all cases of late payment. This compensation is in addition to late payment interest and must be applied from the first day after the payment date indicated on the invoice.
In case of late payment, the craftsman has The law to act to obtain payment of the amounts due. First, he can send a reminder or A reminder of payment To his shopper. It is important for the craftsman to act quickly, because the more the Delay is longer, the more difficult it will be to recover the amount due.
If after these steps, the shopper still does not pay the bill, the craftsman may decide to take legal action to recover his money. This remedy can be made by writ or by other legal means to guarantee payment of the bill.
Good management of invoices And terms of payment is crucial for a craftsman. As soon as the signature of the quote, the craftsman must ensure that the terms of payment are clear to the customer. The quote must specify the amount to be paid, terms of payment, and the payment deadline. This allows foresee one settlements clear and to reduce the risks of default of payment.
During the execution of the service, once the work has been done, the craftsman Issue an invoice which must be sent to the customer as soon as possible. This invoice must include several important information such as the amount due, the Issue date, and the date of payment planned.
Some businesses and artisans apply the rule of payment upon receipt of the bill, in particular for specific services such as emergency work. This means that the customer must pay the bill as soon as they receive it, without waiting 30 days. The cash payment is a common practice in the craft sector, especially when the work is urgent or small-scale.
In the case of periodic invoices (for example, regular maintenance services or long-term work), a payment schedule can be set up. This schedule allows you to divide the mounting Total number of works in several payment deadlines, making it easier for both parties to manage payments.
These modalities must be Mentioned clearly in the terms of sale or the contract. For example, the craftsman may agree with his shopper that payment will be made in three installments, on specific dates, depending on the progress of the work.
When the shopper does not respect payment deadlines, it is essential to follow a strict procedure to recover the amounts due. Here are the steps to follow:
In case of default of payment, it is important to understand that the craftsman is entitled to claim late payment penalties, and if the situation persists, he may also consider applying more stringent measures to recover the money owed.
In certain situations, a craftsman may decide to suspend the service or to cancel a contract if he is in the presence of case of non-compliance with the payment deadline.
The payment term is a crucial element in the management of a craft business. Whether for a small Benefit or a more important project, it is essential for a craftsman to know his rights in terms of payment term and to apply the rules in case of late payment. Respecting deadlines not only ensures a healthy cash flow, but also to maintain good relationships with patrons. In case of delay, artisans have legal mechanisms to recover their due, in particular by applying late payment penalties and by acting through the debt collection procedures.
Finally, to facilitate the Paying bills, modern tools like Bill Up, an application that allows invoices to be easily scanned, stored and paid, can save valuable time for artisans, thus avoiding the worries associated with unpaid payments.
