Milestone Invoicing: Bill Large Projects in Stages
Milestone invoicing splits large project payments across deliverable stages. It protects you from non-payment and gives clients confidence.
Typical Milestone Splits
| Milestone | % of Total |
|---|---|
| Project kickoff / deposit | 25–50% |
| Midpoint deliverable | 25–40% |
| Final delivery | 25–35% |
Define Milestones in Your Contract
Each milestone needs a clear, verifiable deliverable: "Wireframes approved by client" not "Phase 1 complete."
How to Invoice Each Milestone
Reference the contract, milestone name, percentage or fixed amount, and cumulative payments received. Example:
Milestone 2 of 3: UI Design Delivery (40% of $10,000 = $4,000) Less: Milestone 1 paid ($3,000) Amount due: $4,000
What If a Client Disputes a Milestone?
Your contract should define approval criteria and a review period (e.g., 5 business days for feedback, deemed approved if no response).
Create Milestone Invoices
Generate progress invoices with detailed line items and payment references.