Design Work Billing
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- TheBlueOne
Question..just getting my first freelance job. How do you guys suggest billing the client? Do you take a deposit and set up payments according to milestones in the project (eg. 10% deposit, 15% upon approved design work, 75% upon final approval and site launch) which I did for years in construction building houses in college, or do you bill just a final upon project completion?
I am going to make it clear to client what the scope of contract includes (additional work to be billable at an hourly rate) and that all work belongs to me until final [ayemtn is made). Also made it clear that they have to provide all content and if I have to write a paragraph about WHo their company is, that's billable hourly and not included in contract..
Any other tips?
- kyl30
50% upfront, 50% at completion, unless you have subs to pay out.
otherwise you sound all set.
- zombiewoof0
If it's a relatively simple project. half up front half on delivery should suffice.
Also fix the project cost and switch to time and materials billings above the estimate to prevent scope creep.
I could go no, but I'm sure others will chime in.
- version30
50/50
- blastofv0
50/50 is always good, and just make sure that when you 'make it clear' about the rest of the provisions, you make it clear in ink and you get a signature. formal contracts are key, even if they're simple.
and define what the parameters are for the project being 'complete'. that can be a gray area sometimes, and you don't want to get stuck waiting for final payment on an identity design project because the printer hasn't delivered the business cards yet.
- nocomply0
Get at least 1/2 up front. That way the client has a real incentive to carry out the project. Also it will keep you away from people who would have otherwise flaked on you in the middle.
- TheBlueOne0
Great thanks guys. I learned from years in the construction business about how to make sure you get everything in writing and signed by all parties. I just wasn't sure what industry practice was in design field about payment structure. Again, thanks so much..
- robotron3k0
50/50 is the ONLY way to do frelance.
- ldww0
For something that is a set fee i have three options that i pick depending on the client and the amount of money:
1) 50 upfront, 50 on completion
2) 1/3 upfront, 1/3 when they sign off on a functioning site (on my server), 1/3 when the site has been up on their server
3) 50 upfront, 1/4 and 1/4 (same as the above one)If it is an hourly gig, i invoice monthly.