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Project deposit calculator
Enter the project price and how you want to be paid. Get the deposit, the payment schedule, and a clause you can paste into your contract.
2,000–10,000: 30–50% upfront is standard, balance on delivery or split across 2–3 milestones.
Deposit clause
The total fee for this project is $5,000.00. A non-refundable deposit of $1,500.00 (30% of the total) is due before work begins and secures the Sender's time for this project. The remaining balance of $3,500.00 is due on delivery of the final work.
Why freelancers take a deposit
A deposit turns a verbal yes into a commitment. It covers the time you block on your calendar, filters out clients who were never going to pay, and means you are never financing the whole project yourself. Clients who balk at a reasonable deposit are telling you something about how the final invoice will go.
FAQ
How much deposit should a freelancer ask for?
Between 25% and 50% of the project total. Go higher for small or rushed projects and new clients, lower for large projects split into milestones.
Should the deposit be non-refundable?
Usually yes, because it pays for time you turned down other work for. Say so clearly in the contract, and refund the unused part if you are the one who cancels.
Deposit or retainer: what's the difference?
A deposit is an advance on a specific project's fee. A retainer is a recurring payment for ongoing availability or a monthly block of work.
How do I get clients to actually pay the deposit?
Ask for it at the moment of commitment. With our contract tool, the deposit request goes out the second the client signs, with your own Stripe or payment link.
Get the deposit at signature.
Clinch drafts the contract with your deposit terms, your client signs from their phone, and the deposit is requested the moment they sign.
Send a contract with Clinch