Payment terms and protection.
A REASONABLE STRUCTURE
A deposit before starting One or more milestone payments A final balance on completion
WHAT A DEPOSIT IS FOR
Commitment, and their initial work.
A third is common.
WHAT TO TIE PAYMENTS TO
Deliverables, not dates.
"On delivery of the working site" is clearer than "at the end of month two".
WHAT NOT TO DO
Pay everything upfront Pay the final balance before you have tested and received access
THAT LAST POINT
The final payment is your remaining leverage.
Do not release it until handover is complete.
WHAT TO WITHHOLD IT FOR
Genuine non-delivery.
Not minor preferences.
WHAT TO PAY PROMPTLY
Work genuinely delivered.
Slow payment damages the relationship and your reputation with good developers.
WHAT TO KEEP
Records of every payment, against the agreement.
WHAT TO GET
An invoice for each payment.
