Deposits and Up-front pay

[WAHMBrenda]

If he gets back to you with a complaint, you could always suggest breaking the project into small parts and getting paid after each with the total cost for the entire project still remaining the same. Just a thought.

[ErinHill226]

I don't typically ask for up front money unless it's a LOT of money, or the client won't sign my contract (unless they send me a contract of their own). By a lot, I mean a few thousand or more. Usually offering up a contract scares away potential scammers. I've also divided some larger projects into chunks and gotten paid on completion of each portion. That said, asking for money up front isn't uncommon, so I don't think you were out of line. If the client refuses, perhaps ask for a contract and payment after each completed page or batch of pages?

[MissyMiss]

I always ask for 50% upfront unless it's a really small project ($50 or less). I ask for 100% if the client seems shady or weird.

[funmom91]

It depends where the client comes from. If it is not a credible client I ask for 50%. If it is a small job I wait until after. If it is a large job I would do the project and be paid for milestones with 25% up front.

[charmed]

I explain that I ask for a 50 percent deposit up front and then bill weekly when the deposit is "used up" with the last amount due upon receipt. I also state on the last invoice that I will release all rights upon final payment. If the client was recommended by another client whom I trust I just have them pay a 25 percent deposit.

There is a group of women I often work with and I never make any of them pay anything up front no matter how big the project but I do usually bill weekly or upon receipt of project being done. I also sometimes put on my bill "Final Payment Due upon Approval"
"All Rights Released upon receipt of Final Payment"