my weakest point is getting people to be on time!
I tell them straight up that whenever they decide we start the clock starts ticking and it doesnt stop until we're done that day. I usually dont get much of a meal break, usually just read a menu and tell someone what i want, then it appears and i eat while editing/comping/listening back etc. of course i usually do day rates tho.
Im not taking money off their bill because i have to go to the bathroom. their jobs dont so why should mine?
as for getting paid, make it policy to be paid at the end of the session each day, unless they'd like to pay for half of the projected amount due at the begining and the rest at the end. but nothing leaves till the balance is paid. thats the upside of payment after each session.
for those of you doing it for free, as always its your choice but, people dont put much value on something done for free. It becomes expected. People look at a mercedes and see a fancy car because it is expensive. That would not happen if it cost less than a kia. they may say its neat or cute, but it wouldnt be someone's dream to hopefully own it one day so they can be the dirty old man picking up 20y/o playmates as they cruise by the beach.
Don't get me wrong, you cant suck and charge $1k a day but you dont have to do it for free either. come up with a day rate or hourly rate that you think is fair for your time, skill, and equipment (if applicable). Talk to your client openly and honestly trying to find what works for them and letting them know you've got expenses too and feel you should be compensated fairly.
If you said to a client "Well I'd love to do your project but I'm afraid I can't do x amount of songs for x amount of dollars because I want to make them sound as good as possible and I know that I'd need to spend roughly x amount of time on it which would significantly lower my rate. If you'd like to do fewer songs with me for the same price and time frame you can afford that would be great, if not I can recommend you someone else." They will find the money or do less because you just showed them you are quality over quantity and quality is what's valued.
ah, the psychology of recording.