Project pause (on hold) clause for freelancers
A project pause clause: what happens when the client puts the project on hold, including billing, rescheduling and a restart fee.
Project pause (on hold) clause: copy and adapt
The Client may put the project on hold by written notice. On pausing, the Client will pay for all work completed to date. If the project is on hold for more than [30] days, the Provider may charge a restart fee of [amount] and will reschedule the remaining work according to its availability. If the project is on hold for more than [90] days, either party may terminate this agreement and the Client will pay for work completed.
When to use it
In any project longer than a few weeks. Clients pause projects far more often than they cancel them, and a paused project with no rules is the worst of both.
Variants by trade
Reserved capacity
Because the Provider has reserved capacity for this project, a pause of more than [2] weeks entitles the Provider to invoice [25]% of the fee for the paused period.
Agencies
A paused project loses its team allocation; restarting depends on the next available slot in the production schedule.
Frequently asked questions
What's a restart fee for?
Getting back into a project after weeks away takes real time: re-reading, re-setting up, catching up on changes. The fee pays for it.
When does a paused project become cancelled?
When the contract says so. Without a limit, a project can sit 'on hold' forever with your deposit and final payment in limbo.
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These clauses are general templates, not legal advice. Laws vary by country and state; for high-value or unusual deals, have a lawyer review your contract.
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