I’ve had my fair share of flaky clients and it was frustrating. Now, I take a 30% deposit before diving into any project.
It’s a game changer—clients are more committed, and I avoid wasting time on those who just want free ideas.
I started with 25% but moved it to 50% after some bad experiences.
Clients who refuse to pay upfront tend to cause issues later. It simplifies my job and protects my time.
Taking a deposit can save you time and ensure clients are serious. It’s a smart move.
Deposits work, but make them truly non-refundable. I used to offer “refundable within 48 hours” thinking I was being fair.
Huge mistake. Clients would start the project, see initial concepts, get cold feet, then demand their money back within that 48-hour window.
Now it’s 35% upfront, non-refundable, no exceptions. Money hits my account before I touch a single design file.
Yeah, some people walk away. But those are the same clients who’d waste weeks going back and forth anyway. Clients who pay without hesitation? Those are your smooth, profitable projects.
Yeah I always get half up front now too
Same here. I do 40% upfront - filters out tire kickers instantly.
Anyone who pushes back on deposits? They’re the same ones who’ll fight the final invoice or want endless revisions. Had a guy say he “doesn’t do deposits” and wanted to pay after completion. I declined, he called me unprofessional.
Two weeks later he hit up three other people I know with the exact same story. Bullet dodged.
Now I frame it as securing their spot in my schedule. Sounds less like trust issues, more like I’m booked solid.