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Milestone payment schedule generator.
Enter your contract total and how you want to be paid. Get a clear schedule that adds up to the exact contract amount, ready to copy into your contract or invoices.
Several states cap the deposit a contractor can request. Check your state's home improvement rules before you send the schedule.
| Payment | Share | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit at signing | 10.0% | $4,200.00 |
| Progress payment 1 | 28.3% | $11,900.00 |
| Progress payment 2 | 28.3% | $11,900.00 |
| Progress payment 3 | 28.3% | $11,900.00 |
| Final payment after punch list | 5.0% | $2,100.00 |
Contract total
$42,000.00
How to set up milestone payments
A good schedule matches your cash out to your cash in. You buy materials and pay crews as the job moves, so payments should arrive as each stage finishes rather than at the end.
A common pattern is a deposit at signing, two to four progress payments tied to visible stages, and a final payment after the punch list. The tool above spreads whatever is left after the deposit and the final hold evenly across your progress payments, and adjusts the last payment by a few cents so the schedule always adds up to the contract exactly.
Put the schedule in your contract, name the stage that triggers each payment, and send each invoice the day the stage is complete. Clear triggers keep both sides on the same page.
FAQ
Common questions
What is a milestone payment schedule?
It is a plan that splits a contract into several payments, each tied to a stage of the work, such as a deposit at signing, payments as major stages finish, and a final payment after the punch list.
How big should the deposit be?
Many contractors ask for around 10%, but several states cap the deposit at a percent of the contract or a fixed dollar amount. Check your state's home improvement rules before you set it.
Why hold back a final payment?
A final payment of around 5% held until the punch list is done gives the client confidence and gives you a clear reason to finish the small items.
Should milestones be tied to dates or to progress?
Tie them to progress the client can see, such as demolition finished or cabinets installed. Payments due on a date whether or not the work is done are a common source of disputes.
Can Renovate turn this into invoices?
Yes. Accept an estimate, split it into milestones, and send each stage as a branded invoice link with your payment terms.
Ready when you are
Turn the schedule into invoices.
Renovate builds milestone invoices from your accepted estimate and sends each one as a branded link.