Just wrapped up a big project and realized my payment schedule was a mess. Client wanted to pay at the end, but I needed cash flow. Ended up with a weird mix of milestones and percentages.
Curious how others handle this. What’s your go-to payment structure for those long, chunky projects?
I split payments into thirds. One-third upfront to cover initial costs and show commitment. Another third at the halfway point. Final third on completion.
This way, I’ve got steady income throughout the project. It also gives the client clear checkpoints. Works well for both sides.
I keep it simple. Half upfront, half when finished. Less hassle that way. Don’t like dealing with too many payments or fancy schedules.
For big jobs, I do 25% upfront, then bill weekly for hours worked. Keeps cash flowing and lets the client see progress. End of the job, I send a final invoice for any remaining balance.
This way, you’re not waiting months to get paid. Client sees what they’re paying for each week. If they start dragging their feet, you can pause work until they catch up on payments.
Been doing it this way for years. Keeps things clear and avoids payment headaches down the road.
I’ve tried a bunch of ways, but here’s what works for me now:
This keeps cash flowing and lets me adjust if the project scope changes. It’s flexible for both sides.
A few other things I do:
The kill fee protects me if the client bails halfway through. Learned that one the hard way.
Main thing is to keep it simple and clear. Too many milestones or percentages just confuse everyone.
What about you? Any payment tricks that have worked well?
I’ve tried a bunch of different ways, but now I stick to milestone payments. Here’s what works for me:
10% deposit to book the project
30% when I deliver the first draft
30% when the client approves the main work
30% before I hand over the final files
This setup keeps money coming in regularly. It also motivates the client to give feedback quickly.
I put all this in my contract upfront. Helps avoid those awkward money conversations later.
One tip: I always include a clause about ‘scope creep’. If the project grows, we renegotiate the price and payment schedule.
This system’s been solid for me on big projects. Keeps the bills paid and the work moving.
Never had big jobs. Cash upfront for materials then pay when done.