Quick question regarding a retainer

[bev27]

I have a new start at the end of the month and the parent gets all the school holidays, ie easter, summer, and october break.

I said i would have to charge a retainer of half the weekly fee to keep the place open for her after the holidays are over. I told her i wouldnt charge her for xmas as im off for the 2 weeks or holidays i take in the summer time. She agrees to this.

Now the only thing im unsure of is how does she pay me the retainer? Weekly means she will have to come to mine every week to pay me or can i ask for the money up front? That would mean her paying 6 weeks retainer fee up front for the summer holidays.

[janet]

i would personally get it paid weekly xxxxxxx

[sarahnev707]

I bill monthly ..... and I'd want a cheque in the post within 2 days of bill reaching parent

Sarahx

[son77]

Perhaps you could ask for a post dated cheque?

[susi513]

most of mine now pay by online banking direct to my account. I've put in my contracts that if their payment date occurs on a holiday they agree to pay prior to the holiday unless they have already set up automated payments. but I would accept a post-dated cheque.

[hazel2]

hi, just to say i have a parent who has school holidays off and has to pay me half fee for a retainer, but what i do is work it out over the year taking 4 weeks off for my holidays then working it out over twelve months so you get paid the same every month. it works for me and the parent.

hazelx

[miffy]

I'd always ask for the money upfront but accept a post-dated cheque if it was difficult for the parent to pay in one go (like the 6 weeks hols).

Hazel's idea is interesting but if the contract ended could you find yourself out of pocket?

Good luck whatever you decide

Miffy

[lorraine2767]

I did that Hazel where I worked it out over the year and I ended up out of pocket as the contract ended after 6 months, so I wouldn't do that.

I would go for a post dated cheque or ask they to put it straight into your bank account that is what some of mine do.

Lorraine xx