Doing a multipart transaction like that , I ' d increase the fee . Doing the job all at once requires less work on your part , thus a lower fee . Splitting the work over multiple jobs requires multiple schedulings , gas to and from job site , weather variables , etc . If you can ' t trust them to keep to a payment schedule , then the price just went from $ 50 tree to $ 75 . Even under a contract , $ 50 is the cash price $ 60 is credit price . Cash rules all and by having to wait for money you ' ve earned you ' re taking a risk they don ' t pay , that $ 10 extra is the fee you charge for taking that risk . Edit for clarification , this is how I ' d do itCash up front , job done all at once $ 50 treePay under contract , job done all at once $ 60 treePay as they can afford , job split up $ 75 tree