Agree the payment stages first
A deposit reduces your exposure; a clear agreement explains what happens if the scope or schedule changes.
- Example arrangement: 50% before work starts and 50% at the agreed delivery milestone. This is an example, not an industry rule.
- Specify when a booking is confirmed and when work begins.
- Explain cancellations, rescheduling and additional work in writing, subject to applicable consumer rights.
- Make sure both parties accept the terms before collecting payment.
If you've ever finished a mix and then watched the client go quiet when it's time to pay, you already know the answer to this. A deposit isn't you being difficult — it's you running a business instead of a hobby.
Why deposits work
- They protect your time. If a project stalls or the client vanishes, you're not fully out of pocket for work already done.
- They filter intent. Someone willing to put money down is serious; someone who balks at any deposit was often going to be a problem at the end.
- They set the tone. Paid-up front means the relationship is professional from minute one.
How much to ask for
A 50% deposit with the balance at delivery is one possible arrangement, not a universal rule. Choose milestones that reflect the work, project length and both parties’ risk. Agree cancellation and refund terms in writing, subject to applicable consumer rights.
How to position it without friction
Frame it as normal, because it is. "I take 50% to book the session and the balance on delivery" is a sentence, not a negotiation. Put it in the quote so it's part of the deal from the start, not a surprise. Make paying the deposit a single click — friction kills momentum.
A client who won't pay a deposit is showing you exactly how the final invoice is going to go.
With Levels Flow you can send a quote with your terms, collect the deposit by card, and bill the balance on delivery — all on the same client link.