Partial work, partial bill
They should not pay for a full visit you didn’t give.
Hi Alex — I have to wrap up and leave. The kitchen is done; I didn’t get to the bathrooms. I won’t bill the full visit.
Have to leave / cut the visit short
You started. You can’t finish. Say what’s done, what’s not, and that you won’t bill as if you stayed.
Name the rooms or tasks you actually completed.
Stopped at a clean break
The rest can wait. You’re not claiming it’s finished.
Something came up and I need to go. I stopped at a clean break. I can finish the rest another day if you still want that.
Left mid-job
Be specific so they know what they’re walking into.
I have to cut today short — about 40 minutes in. The hallway is patched; the paint will have to wait. Sorry to leave it mid-job.