Deposit Invoice: How to Request Upfront Payment
A deposit invoice requests partial payment before work begins. It protects you from client cancellation and covers initial costs.
How Much Deposit to Request
| Project Type | Typical Deposit |
|---|---|
| Freelance design/dev | 30–50% |
| Construction | 10–30% (check local laws) |
| Event/catering | 50% |
| Custom manufacturing | 50–100% of materials |
Deposit Invoice Wording
"Deposit Invoice — 50% advance payment for [Project Name] as per agreement dated [date]. Remaining 50% due upon final delivery. Deposit is non-refundable upon project commencement."
Deposit vs Proforma vs Standard Invoice
Label clearly as "Deposit Invoice" or "Advance Payment Request" so clients understand this is not the final bill.
Legal Considerations
Some jurisdictions limit deposit amounts for certain industries. Construction deposits are heavily regulated in many US states.
Create Deposit Invoices
Invoice deposits professionally — specify deposit amount and reference the full project total in notes.