Same here.

As long as you're organized and quantify every line item and have proof of sign off on things that increase scope and have emails to back them up, you can usually established your ethos as someone that is honest and doesn't try to fleece them, then companies are fairly reasonable.... that is, unless they are in a bad situation where they probably can't pay their vendors or contractors.

And that is something that is a burden on the contractor. Don't agree to work for a company if there are red flags present from the get go. Even if the promise of pay looks good.

The best are boring large to mid size companies.

I tended to avoid start ups that just needed a specialist for a few days. The issue of money was always a sticking point. Let's just say if they could barely pay their own or themselves then how would that bode well for you?

> As long as you're organized and quantify every line item and have proof of sign off on things that increase scope and have emails to back them up

if you're doing this then you likely will never have a problem no matter how much the invoice is. Organization and authorization (sign-off) is the key, if there are no surprises then they'll pay every time.

> The best are boring large to mid size companies.

I agree, Accounts payable doesn't have any emotional attachment to any amount at these companies. If the invoice has the right approvals/criteria then a check is cut no matter what the amount is.