How to guarantee getting paid ?

[4d89d3e3]

hello, I submitted a proposal for a job, the client contacted me, he told me what he wants exactly, then I started working. After 4 hours, I texted him. He told me that he hired someone else and that he is sorry. 

Now, How do I guarantee that I am getting paid and the client won't hire someone else?

[sofia2008]

Were you hired with a fixed price contract or hourly contract?

[4d89d3e3]

Fixed price.

[sofia2008]

You might have agreed on a fixed price, but if the client did not officially hire you, no work should have been done. The client doesn't have to pay as he did not hire you. Like Preston mentionned, you used Upwork incorrectly.

Make sure you understand how the different type of contracts and the platform works before moving forward.

Look at the Academy section at the top of this page for useful ressources.

[prestonhunter · Accepted solution]

You used Upwork incorrectly.

You worked without having a contract in place.

You are not supposed to work until the client has officially hired you with an Upwork contract. You must first click the green Accept button.

[4d89d3e3]

Does the client need to send me a contract first? or I can make it myself.

[prestonhunter]

re: "Does the client need to send me a contract first? or I can make it myself."

You can't send the client a contract.

There is no PDF file that is the "contract."

The client clicks a green "Hire" button.

Then you click a green "Accept" button.

Then the name of the contract appears here:

My Jobs -> My Jobs