What is a payment schedule?
A payment schedule is a plan that outlines when and how much a client will pay a freelancer for their work. It typically includes the total amount due, the due date for each payment, and the payment method.
What are the common payment schedules for freelancers?
The most common payment schedules for freelancers are:
- 50/50: The client pays 50% of the total fee upfront and the remaining 50% upon completion of the project.
- 30/30/40: The client pays 30% of the total fee upfront, 30% at a specific milestone, and the remaining 40% upon completion of the project.
- Weekly or bi-weekly: The client pays the freelancer on a weekly or bi-weekly basis for the work completed during that period.
- Monthly: The client pays the freelancer on a monthly basis for the work completed during that month.
What should be included in a payment schedule?
A payment schedule should include:
- The total amount due
- The due date for each payment
- The payment method
- Any late payment fees or penalties
- Any discounts or incentives for early payment
What should I do if a client doesn't pay on time?
If a client doesn't pay on time, you should follow up with them to remind them of the payment schedule and request payment. If they still don't pay, you may need to take legal action or seek the assistance of a collections agency.
Nick Simpson
Founder @ WorkMade
I started working for myself at 9. My first tax bill showed up at 14. I didn’t understand it, and nobody around me could really explain it. If you’ve been there, you get it. Twenty years later, after creative directing for brands in New York and buying and selling a few companies, I kept seeing the same thing: smart, talented people losing money to a system that wasn’t built for how they work. That’s why I built WorkMade. Not to make taxes “easier to understand” but to make them disappear into the background, so you can get on with your life.