If you're letting clients pay by card, you might be losing 2–3% of your revenue — but you don't have to.
Credit cards are convenient for clients, but for small service businesses, the fees can add up fast. Whether you're billing $500 or $15,000, that cut eats into your profit.
💰 The Math: On a $15,000 kitchen remodel, a 2.9% card fee costs you $435. That's enough to cover materials, labor, or a nice profit margin boost.
What Most Big Companies Already Do
It's increasingly common for businesses to pass on card processing fees to clients. You've probably seen it on:
- Restaurant checks ("3% card processing fee")
- Contractor estimates
- Utility bills
- Government payments
- Medical office visits
If these established businesses do it, why shouldn't you?
The Legal Landscape
In most U.S. states, it's perfectly legal to pass credit card fees to customers, but there are some important considerations:
- Disclosure is key: Fees must be clearly communicated upfront
- State regulations vary: A few states have restrictions
- Maximum fees: Generally limited to your actual processing cost
- Cash discounts vs. card surcharges: Legal distinction matters
How It Works in Scope‑Kit
Scope‑Kit Invoices makes fee management transparent and easy. When you create an invoice, you choose:
- ✅ Offer ACH (bank transfer) — 0.8% fee (capped at $5)
- ✅ Offer credit card — 2.9% fee
- ✅ Let your client cover the card fee automatically
- ✅ Display all options clearly at checkout
This way, clients still get flexibility, and you protect your margins.
🎯 Best Practice: Frame it as "Choose your payment method" rather than "Pay the fee." This puts the focus on choice rather than cost.
A Fair, Transparent Approach
Scope‑Kit shows the fee clearly at checkout — no hidden surprises. The process looks like this:
- Client receives invoice with payment options
- ACH option shows the lower fee (0.8%, max $5)
- Card option shows the higher processing fee (2.9%)
- Client chooses their preferred method
- Payment processes with full transparency
And if your client wants to minimize fees? They can choose ACH for significant savings on larger invoices.
Making the Transition
If you're currently absorbing card fees, here's how to make the switch:
- Communicate the change: Let existing clients know about the new policy
- Offer alternatives: Always provide ACH as a lower-fee option (0.8%, max $5)
- Be transparent: Explain that this helps keep your base prices competitive
- Start with new clients: Implement the policy for all new projects
You keep your price. They choose how to pay.
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