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Auto-Charge on File

Invoice created. Card charged. Done.

Auto-charge runs the moment an invoice is created—no manual processing, no chasing payments, no logging in to charge cards one at a time. Save a customer's credit card or ACH bank account on file, enable auto-charge, and every invoice pays itself. Combine with auto-invoicing for a billing pipeline that runs on complete autopilot.

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LawnPro auto-charge dashboard showing automatic card charging when invoices are created
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How auto-charge works, step by step

Customer profile showing credit card on file with option to add card directly or send request to customer
Save a Card

Get a card or bank account on file

There are two ways to get a payment method on file. You can enter the card directly on the customer's profile in LawnPro. Or go to Customers → Manage Credit Cards, switch to the "Customers Without Credit Cards" tab, and send a text or email requesting the customer add their card through the portal. For ACH, the customer connects their bank account through the portal using Plaid. Either way, the payment method is saved securely via Stripe and ready to charge.

Customer portal showing authorization popup asking customer to allow card charges and enable auto-charge
Customer Authorizes

The customer decides what you can charge

When a customer adds a card in the portal, they get a popup asking if they want to allow you to charge this card. If they select yes, you can charge it manually any time. They also see an option to enable auto-charge—which means their card is charged automatically whenever a new invoice is created on their account. Both authorizations are controlled by the customer, giving them confidence and giving you permission to collect payment without follow-up.

Invoice being created in LawnPro with auto-charge automatically processing the saved card and recording payment
Invoice Triggers Charge

The invoice is created—the charge happens instantly

Once auto-charge is authorized and you create an invoice for that customer, LawnPro automatically charges their saved payment method for the invoice amount. It doesn't matter how the invoice was created—manually, through auto-invoicing after a completed visit, or through level billing. The moment the invoice exists, the charge runs. The payment is recorded, the invoice is marked paid, and you're done.

Receipt automatically generated and sent to customer after auto-charge processes payment
Receipt Sent

The customer gets a receipt—you get your money

After the charge processes, LawnPro generates a receipt. Set up an automation to email or text the receipt to the customer automatically. The customer sees the charge, sees the receipt in their portal, and knows exactly what they paid for. Your payment ledger updates in real time. If you have QuickBooks Sync enabled, the payment flows to QuickBooks too. The entire cycle—from completed visit to money in your account—happens without a single manual step.

The Full Pipeline

From completed visit to collected payment—zero steps

When you combine auto-invoicing and auto-charge, the entire billing cycle runs without you.

Visit Completed

Crew marks the visit done in the field

Invoice Created

Auto-invoicing generates the bill

Card Charged

Auto-charge processes the payment

Receipt Sent

Automation emails or texts the receipt

QuickBooks Synced

Invoice and payment flow to your books

Every step is automatic. You don't click, type, or log in to anything.

I went from spending every Sunday afternoon billing customers to not thinking about billing at all. The visit completes, the invoice creates itself, the card charges, and the receipt sends. I just check the bank balance. That's my entire billing workflow now.
LP

LawnPro Customer

Why auto-charge changes everything

The less time you spend collecting money, the more time you spend making it.

Instant Collection

Invoice created, card charged, payment recorded—all in the same moment. No delay between billing and getting paid.

Cards & ACH

Auto-charge works with credit cards and ACH bank accounts. Whichever payment method the customer saved, that's what gets charged.

Customer-Authorized

Customers explicitly opt in to auto-charge when they save their card. They control the authorization, which means fewer disputes and more trust.

Pairs with Auto-Invoicing

Combine auto-invoicing with auto-charge and the billing pipeline runs completely without you. Visit complete → invoice → charge → receipt → QuickBooks.

Manage Cards Dashboard

See who has a card on file and who doesn't. Send card requests in bulk. Charge saved cards with one click from the Manage Credit Cards screen.

Pass Fees or Absorb

Choose to pass the processing fee to customers, set a flat surcharge, or absorb it yourself. The fee is added automatically at charge time.

Charge Cards On File screen showing list of customers with open invoices and one-click charge buttons
Manual Charging

Not everyone uses auto-charge. That's fine—you have options.

For customers who have a card on file but haven't enabled auto-charge, you can charge their card manually from three places: the Charge Cards On File screen (Customers → Charge Cards On File), the Payments page, or directly from an invoice. The Charge Cards screen shows every customer with a saved card and an open invoice—enter the amount and click "Charge Card."

This means auto-charge handles the bulk of your collections automatically, and the few remaining customers can be charged manually in seconds. Either way, you're never writing invoices, stuffing envelopes, or waiting for checks.

What is auto-charge for lawn care?

Auto-charge for lawn care means a customer's saved credit card or bank account is charged automatically the moment an invoice is created—without you processing anything manually. The customer saves their payment method, authorizes you to charge it, and enables auto-charge. From that point on, every invoice on their account is paid instantly when it's generated.

In LawnPro, auto-charge works with both credit cards and ACH bank transfers. The customer controls the authorization from the client portal—they decide whether you can charge their card and whether auto-charge is enabled. This customer-controlled approach means fewer disputes and chargebacks because the customer explicitly opted in. You can see all card-on-file statuses from the Manage Credit Cards dashboard, which shows customers with and without cards and lets you send card requests by text or email.

The real power shows when you pair auto-charge with auto-invoicing. Turn on auto-invoicing so invoices create themselves when visits are completed. Turn on auto-charge so those invoices charge the card the moment they're created. Add an automation to send the receipt by email or text. Connect QuickBooks Sync so the invoice and payment flow to your books. The result is a complete, end-to-end billing pipeline that runs while you mow, trim, spray, and drive—without you ever touching a billing screen.

Frequently asked questions

What is auto-charge?

Auto-charge automatically processes a payment from a customer's saved credit card or ACH bank account the moment an invoice is created on their account. No manual steps are needed—the charge happens instantly.

Does the customer have to authorize it?

Yes. When a customer saves a card through the portal, they choose whether to allow you to charge it and whether to enable auto-charge. Both authorizations are required. You cannot auto-charge a customer who hasn't opted in.

Does auto-charge work with ACH bank transfers?

Yes. If a customer has connected their bank account via ACH and authorized auto-charge, their bank account is charged automatically when an invoice is created—the same as a credit card.

What happens if a charge fails?

If a card is declined or an ACH transfer fails, the invoice stays unpaid. The customer can pay manually through the portal, or you can charge a different card. Set up a past-due automation to notify the customer automatically.

Can I use auto-charge with auto-invoicing?

Yes—this is the most powerful setup. Auto-invoicing creates the invoice when a visit is completed. Auto-charge then charges the saved card instantly. Add an automation to send the receipt, and the entire billing pipeline runs itself.

Can I still charge cards manually?

Absolutely. For customers who have a card on file but haven't enabled auto-charge, you can charge their card manually from the Charge Cards On File screen, the Payments page, or directly from an invoice.

Is auto-charge included in my plan?

Auto-charge is available on plans that include online payments. There's no separate add-on fee for auto-charge—once you have online payments set up, you can enable auto-charge for any customer who authorizes it.

Put your billing on autopilot

Try LawnPro free and set up auto-charge. Every invoice pays itself so you can focus on the work.

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Explore more features

See what else LawnPro can do for your business.

Payment Options

Accept credit cards, ACH, and PayPal. Save cards on file and let customers pay through the portal.

Invoicing

Create, send, and auto-generate invoices. Turn on auto-invoicing to complete the auto-charge pipeline.

Workflow Automations

Automate receipt delivery, past-due reminders, and more. The final piece of the billing pipeline.

Resources

Help Articles

Guides on setting up auto-charge, saving cards, and managing payment methods.

Payment Help Articles →
Video Tutorials

Watch how to enable auto-charge and set up the full billing pipeline.

Watch Videos →
Talk to Support

Need help with auto-charge? We're here 7am-7pm CST, 7 days a week.

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