The problem
You have eight clients. Three of them are commercial with net-30 terms you agreed to. The other five are residential and you need the money when you invoice. If the default payment term is wrong for either group, you're either adjusting it manually every time or letting it default incorrectly.
Why we built it
Payment terms should match the relationship, not the other way around. Set the terms on the client once and every invoice you create for them defaults to the right terms automatically.
How it works
- 1
Open the client card and set payment terms: due on receipt, net-15, net-30, or custom.
- 2
All future invoices for that client default to those terms.
- 3
Override on any individual invoice when needed — the default is just the starting point.
What changes for your business
Before
Same payment terms on every invoice. Manually change for commercial clients. Sometimes forget.
After
Terms set per client. Right default on every invoice. Never have to think about it.
Common questions
What are payment terms and why do they matter for contractors?
Payment terms define when an invoice is due — due on receipt, net-15, net-30. They matter because your cash flow depends on when you actually get paid. A commercial client on net-30 is using your money for 30 days. Knowing your terms per client helps you plan around that instead of being surprised.
What payment terms should I use for residential vs. commercial clients?
Residential clients typically pay due on receipt or within a week. Commercial clients often require net-30 as a standard condition. Setting the right default per client in DIRT means every invoice you create for them starts with the correct terms automatically.
How do I set payment terms for a specific client in DIRT?
Open the client card and set payment terms: due on receipt, net-15, net-30, or a custom period. All future invoices for that client default to those terms. You can override them on any individual invoice when a specific job has different arrangements.
What happens if I don't set payment terms per client?
Every invoice uses the same default. That means your commercial net-30 accounts get the same terms as your residential cash-on-completion clients, or vice versa. It's not a crisis, but it means adjusting terms manually every time instead of once per client.
Can I override payment terms on one invoice without changing the client default?
Yes. The terms set on the client card are the default starting point. On any individual invoice, you can change the due date or terms before you send. The client's saved default stays unchanged for all future invoices.
Does the payment terms setting affect when DIRT marks an invoice overdue?
Yes. DIRT calculates the due date from the terms you set. A net-30 invoice sent today won't flag as overdue for 30 days. A due-on-receipt invoice surfaces much sooner if the client hasn't paid. Setting accurate terms means your AR view reflects reality.
Start free
Try it free.
Every DIRT plan includes this feature — Solo included. No credit card, no trial that expires. Set up in minutes and use it on your next job from the truck.