Freelance Project Deposit & Milestone Calculator
Structure your freelance project payments with deposit and milestones. Protect your cash flow and reduce payment risk.
What is a typical deposit amount for freelance projects?
Standard: 25-50% upfront, with remaining due on completion or in milestones. Lower-risk clients: 25%. New clients or large projects: 50%. Very large projects with long timelines: 20-30% upfront + milestone payments. Never start work without some payment commitment.
How do milestone payments work?
Milestones split work into phases with payment due at each completion. Example: 25% deposit, 25% at halfway, 50% on completion. This protects both parties - client doesn't pay all upfront, freelancer doesn't work months without pay. Set clear deliverables for each milestone.
What percentage should I request as a deposit?
Factors: project size (larger = higher %), client relationship (new = higher), project duration (longer = more milestones), risk level. Minimum: 25%. Safe: 33-50%. High-risk or new client: 50%+. Consider your financial runway - can you afford to wait for final payment?
How do I protect myself with payment terms?
Use written contract specifying: deposit amount, milestone schedule, payment due dates, late payment fees (1-2%/month), kill fee if project cancelled, IP transfer on full payment, and what happens if client goes silent. Include late payment terms to incentivize on-time payment.
What if a client refuses to pay a deposit?
Red flag. Legitimate clients understand deposits. Options: offer alternative (small test project), request escrow, propose alternative payment structure, or walk away. Never start significant work without deposit - you have minimal leverage once work begins. Trust your gut.