When do you exchange money and files??

I know alot of people can do it different ways, and I just wondered, how does the client usually like to do it, and how do you like to do it?? This applies for graphic work, and programming.

Do you make them pay before, or half before, half after etc.

When I subcontract work out to someone, I exchange the value, in full, the moment those files are complete and I've received them. I'm somewhat flexible on this, but I've not yet had anyone complain about this policy, and the longest anyone's ever had to wait for payment after I've received the finished product is about five minutes - PayPal was running a little slow :)

Depends on how big the job is, if we have worked with them before, location, etc.

Usually anything under $10K, we ask for 50% upfront. Anything over to $100K, we break it down 25% upfront, 25% halfway thru, and 50% upon completion.

Most of the time, the client has been referred to us so we are usually more lax on the terms.

I dont work for as much as you corey :) but when i do work for smaller amounts (usually tiny!) i show them the working code, then get half i then send the files with zipped password (not always useful) and then send password after i recieve the other half of money.

I do not usually do the above however just send and then hope i get the money, bit risky but i am pretty trusting.

we get a $250 retainer for doing some design layouts of sites and logos etc... which if they go with us gets applied to their whole bill.

Like the guys above me... it depends on the "feel" and if we know the client. Usually its 50% down and rest at the end... Sometimes we do payment plans with some clients - whatever works best for the client really.

I'd say - mention you do 50% down and 50% at end... but you have to set deadlines... If you go over the deadline - you should take some money off... If you come in before deadline - then you're their biggest fan...

Originally posted by MGHosted.net
When do you exchange money and files??

I know alot of people can do it different ways, and I just wondered, how does the client usually like to do it, and how do you like to do it?? This applies for graphic work, and programming.

Do you make them pay before, or half before, half after etc.

I mostly do programming work, so it works a little different for me. I ask for 50% halfway through- upon showing the client what's been done so far- and then another 50% immediately before delivery of the source code. The projects I've worked on have been around three or four figures; I might do things differently for bigger projects or smaller projects.

I'd imagine you could send a screenshot to avoid giving the client the source for design projects.