How to Ask for a Deposit as a Freelancer (and Get Paid Before You Start)

Starting work without a deposit is one of the most expensive habits a freelancer can have. You spend hours on a project for someone who has not yet put a single dollar behind it, and if they disappear or change their mind, you are the one who pays for it.

A deposit fixes that. It is also much easier to ask for than most freelancers expect, as long as you handle it the right way.

Why a deposit matters

A deposit does three things at once.

It filters out the wrong clients. Someone who is serious about the project will pay to reserve your time. Someone who is only browsing usually will not. You would rather learn that before you start, not after you have delivered a first draft.

It covers your risk. Early work is where your time is exposed. A deposit means that if the project stops, you have been paid for the work done so far.

It makes the project real. Once money has moved, the client has committed. They answer messages faster, send assets on time, and give feedback sooner.

How much should you ask for?

There is no single correct number, but there is a common range.

Small projects, up to a few thousand dollars: 50% upfront, 50% on delivery is the most common structure. It is simple and easy for a client to understand.
Larger projects: 25% to 33% upfront, with the rest tied to milestones. This keeps the first payment comfortable for the client while still protecting you.
Retainers and ongoing work: the first period is paid in advance, before the work starts.

If you are unsure, ask for more than you think you can get. Most clients accept 50% without discussion. Starting at 20% and trying to raise it later is much harder.

When to ask

Ask at the moment of acceptance, not afterward.

The best time to collect a deposit is the same moment the client agrees to the proposal. Their enthusiasm is highest, and there is no gap in which doubts can creep in. If you send the proposal, wait for a signature, then send a separate invoice a few days later, you add delay and friction at exactly the point where deals go quiet.

This is one of the main reasons to have the deposit built into the proposal itself, not sent as a separate step. For more on how a proposal should be structured, see our guide to writing a freelance proposal that actually gets signed.

What to say

State the deposit as a normal part of how you work. Do not apologize for it and do not explain it at length.

Inside the proposal, a clear line is enough:

Investment: $4,000. A 50% deposit of $2,000 is due on acceptance to reserve your start date. The remaining $2,000 is due on final delivery.

If you are explaining it on a call or in an email, keep it just as matter of fact:

"To get started, I take a 50% deposit when you accept the proposal. That reserves the time in my schedule. The balance is due when I deliver the final files."

Notice what these leave out. No justification, no "I hope that's okay," no apology. A deposit is a standard business practice, and presenting it that way makes clients treat it that way.

What to include in your terms

Be specific about what the deposit means, so there are no surprises later.

What it covers. Reserving your time and starting the work.
Whether it is refundable. Many freelancers make the deposit non-refundable once work begins, since it pays for time that has already been set aside. Whatever you choose, say it clearly in writing.
What happens if the project is cancelled. For example, you keep the deposit for work completed and refund any portion that covers work not yet started.
When the balance is due. On delivery, on approval, or on a specific date.

Keep this short and in plain language. If your project is large or the stakes are high, have the terms reviewed by a lawyer who knows your area of work.

What to do when a client pushes back

Most clients do not object. When one does, the reason is usually one of three things.

"I don't pay upfront." Some larger companies have payment policies that make this difficult. Ask what they can do instead. A smaller deposit, or a payment tied to a first milestone, often works. If they cannot pay anything until delivery on a project that takes weeks, consider whether the work is worth the risk.

"That seems like a lot." Offer to split the work into phases, with a smaller deposit for the first phase. This lowers the commitment without removing your protection.

"Can I pay when I'm happy with the work?" Explain that the deposit reserves your time, and that you will share progress along the way. If trust is the real issue, a milestone schedule gives them checkpoints.

In every case, stay calm and treat the question as a normal part of the conversation. Do not drop the deposit entirely just to close the deal. Clients who will not pay a deposit are often the same clients who pay late later.

Make it easy to pay

A surprising number of deposits are delayed not because the client objects, but because paying is a hassle. They have to find your bank details, set up a transfer, or wait for an invoice.

Every extra step costs you days. The easiest deposit is one the client can pay by card on the same page where they accept the proposal.

That is how Draftedly works. Your client opens one link, reads the proposal, signs it, and pays the deposit without leaving the page. The money goes straight to your own Stripe account. You can set up a deposit and balance, or a full schedule of milestone payments. You can start with the free plan, which includes 10 sent proposals and payments.

If you are comparing tools for this, our breakdown of Draftedly vs PandaDoc covers how the two approach payments differently.

The short checklist

Decide on a standard deposit and stick to it.
Put the deposit and balance in the proposal, in plain numbers.
Collect it at the moment of acceptance.
State in writing what the deposit covers and whether it is refundable.
Make paying as easy as possible.
Do not start work until it has arrived.

That last one matters most. The deposit only protects you if you wait for it.