Deposits and Progress Invoices

If you are ordering materials, blocking calendar weeks, or working with someone new, waiting until the very end to invoice everything is a gamble. A deposit or a staged bill is normal in plenty of trades and creative work. The trick is writing it down before you start so nobody acts surprised.

When a deposit is fair

Upfront cash makes sense when you are out of pocket on stock, permits, or subcontractor deposits. It also filters out clients who were never serious. State the amount as a percent or a fixed figure on the quote, then invoice it under its own number so the payment shows up cleanly in both your records and theirs.

Progress invoices on long jobs

Split the job into chunks you can describe in one line: "Phase 1 complete", "Rough-in done", whatever matches how you actually work. Invoice each chunk when that chunk is done, not when the whole build is finished. Your payment terms should say how many days they have on each of those bills.

The final invoice

Last bill should line up with the quote or change orders they already signed off. If something moved, note it in writing before you send the total. Less "that was not included" after the fact.

BillBench^™

Same client and job, different document types: quote, deposit invoice, progress invoice, final, receipt if you need it. BillBench^™ is built around that rhythm.