Contractors should include a clause in paperwork detailing consequences of late payment, according to one expert.

Brian McDaniel, who has 15 years' experience freelancing, advises contractors to take certain preventative measures to ensure they do not get into any difficulty with payments from clients.

These include setting a specific number of days that classifies a payment as late, including consequences for lateness in the contract and making these more radical the later the payment.

Consequences, he writes, should be realistic but formidable so that the client will do everything they can to avoid them.

It is essential that communication is clear, frequent and in writing and that the client is informed immediately that the payment is overdue, says Mr McDaniel.

He adds that if the payment is late, the contractor should remain professional and stay away from threats or insults.

This comes after Robert Cheyne of SafeLight Security Advisors told SearchSecurity.com that contractors need to be educated about security issues.