Problem with Stalling clients

[THINKDesign]

Hi there,

I have a problem with clients stalling and not 'finishing' there projects occasionally. I have had one client in the past year do this to me and I would like to protect myself against having it happen again.

Our system works like this:
1. Contract / Work Order & 50% deposit
2. Research etc.
3. Concepts / Revisions (typically 1-2 concepts and up to 3 revisions)
4. Implementation (printing, make site live etc.)
5. Final Invoice / Completion of Job.

However, a client recently paused / stalled his involvement in the project towards the end of the revisions process. This meant that the final invoice could not be sent - even though the project has basially stopped production entirely. We have of course done the bulk of the work at this point.

How do you all protect yourselves from this happening? We would like to perhalps put a time limit on our projects or something similar to that?

Any suggestions on how to handle this so it doesn't happen again?

THANKS!

[greyghost]

I have in my contract that any work delayed up to 30 days is subject to a bill to bring payments up to date. They can stall as long as they want to from there as long as their bill is current. :P

[DesignerScott]

Exactly.
Contract should state that after a certain deadline (either based on project timetable, or lack of contact) (barring any illness or emergency) the client is responsible for all billable time and/or expenses. The amount due will be billed within XX time, to be paid within XX time. In the event the client does not pay after that time, the client is responsible for all legal fees incurred seeking due compensation...
But that's just pulling what I remember from my last contract off hand.

[budafist]

That's smart, I hadn't thought of that. Unfortunately, I guess we don't think about these things until they become a problem.

[THINKDesign]

Cool, thanks so much for your help. That does make sense and I like how it still leaves it open ended for the client to continue the work as long as they are paid up to date.

Many THANKS!
:D

[DesignerScott]

Wow, you mean I was helpful for once.
Doh! Back to sarcasm already!