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Project payment terms depend on the size and scope of the work and are set out clearly in the quotation before work begins.

Are larger projects split into stages?

They may be. Staged payments can align commercial milestones with progress through discovery, design, development and launch rather than leaving the entire balance until the end.

Why are payment terms agreed upfront?

It gives both sides clarity about commitments and reduces ambiguity when the project reaches key milestones.

Is there one standard deposit percentage?

Not every project is structured identically. The quotation and terms for the specific project are the authoritative source for payment timing and amounts.

What do staged payments achieve?

They align payment with meaningful project milestones and spread the commercial commitment across the work rather than concentrating everything at the start or the end. The exact structure depends on the scope, timescale and nature of the project and is agreed before work begins.

Can payment stages change if the project changes?

If the scope changes materially, the commercial impact should be discussed at the same time. That may affect the value or timing of later stages, particularly where additional development, content or integration work is added after the original quotation.

Why is the quotation the key reference?

Because it sets out the actual terms for that project. General website guidance can explain how projects are commonly structured, but the agreed quotation and terms are what define the payment schedule, included work and any assumptions for a specific client engagement.

Related Caged Fish resources: fixed-price and hourly projects, project delays and the Costs & Process hub.