Card Payment Costs for Tradespeople and Mobile Services
Compare taking card payments on site, sending payment links and collecting deposits without paying for a setup your trade does not need.
The short answer
For a mobile trade, start with where and when customers pay. Price the on-site device or phone option, remote payment method, connectivity and any subscription. Use the actual mix of deposits and final balances rather than assuming every invoice is a single terminal payment.
In this guide
Choose the payment methods your work requires
Map the customer journey from booking to deposit, job completion and final invoice. A plumber completing small jobs, a decorator collecting staged payments and a mobile service visiting many customers can have very different transaction profiles.
SumUp’s contractor material describes mobile payment options, while Square’s professional-services material describes invoice and remote-payment tools. Use those as starting points for a shortlist, then confirm the price and functionality for your business. No single method is automatically the lowest-cost choice.
Keep card payments separate from transfers and cash. If comparing alternatives, include the relevant bank or platform charges and the administration involved.
Example with on-site payments and links
Fictional monthly costs. A tradesperson takes £6,000 on site at 1.6%, plus £4,000 through payment links across 20 payments at 2% plus 20p. A required software plan costs £15 monthly.
| Component | Monthly cost |
|---|---|
| On-site processing | £96 |
| Remote percentage charge | £80 |
| 20 link payments × 20p | £4 |
| Software | £15 |
| Total listed costs | £195 |
A £100 device would make the first-year listed cost £2,440, assuming twelve identical months. Applying the lower on-site rate to all income would understate this model.
Check the practical mobile setup
- Confirm phone compatibility or whether the reader operates independently.
- Check the connectivity options in the areas where you work.
- Plan charging, access to receipts and a replacement if a device fails.
- Test how an invoice number or job reference appears on the payment record.
- Confirm how staff or subcontractors are authorised to take payments for the business.
Ask the supplier what happens without connectivity. Do not assume that a device will safely complete offline payments or that every transaction will later be approved. Establish the supported fallback before relying on it.
Separate fee savings from getting paid sooner
Being paid at the end of a job can reduce chasing and improve cash availability. Those benefits are different from a lower processing charge. Record them separately instead of treating every earlier payment as extra profit.
If collecting a deposit and later balance, count the two payment events but only the total collected. Confirm refund handling for cancelled or changed work and keep the agreed customer terms clear.
Check settlement arrangements and any conditions relevant to advance or unusually large payments. Build the estimate from actual trading rather than assuming every quoted invoice will be paid immediately.
Keep the comparison proportionate
For occasional payments, compare low fixed-cost options first. For regular higher turnover, test whether a subscription’s reduced rate recovers the fee on the eligible sales. A second device should solve an actual need rather than simply expanding the monthly bill.
Use SumUp versus Square and the small-business cost guide, then enter separate in-person and remote figures in the calculator.
Common questions
Is payment by link always charged like an in-person payment?
No. Check the tariff for the specific remote method and provider. It may use a different percentage or an additional transaction fee.
Should I buy a standalone terminal?
Compare its complete cost and convenience with a compatible phone-based option. Connectivity, battery life, staff use and receipt requirements should guide the decision.
Put your own figures to work.
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Sources and how to use this guide
Primary references checked on 15 October 2026:
Worked examples are original fictional scenarios, not customer results, market averages or provider quotations. Unless stated otherwise, they use a consistent VAT basis and include only the costs listed. Provider prices, eligibility and terms can change. Check your written agreement before deciding.
Our guides explain costs and comparison methods. They do not rank the whole market or claim hands-on product testing. Source links are references, not a claim of partnership. Read the calculation method and limitations, or about the service.
Choose a suitable payment setup
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