Definition

Milestone Billing

A billing structure where payments are tied to the completion and approval of specific project phases or deliverables.

A billing structure where payments are tied to the completion and approval of specific project phases or deliverables.

Definition

Milestone billing breaks projects into defined phases, with payment due upon completion of each milestone. This approach aligns payment with value delivery, improves cash flow predictability, and creates natural checkpoints for client feedback. It's particularly useful for larger projects with distinct phases.

Why This Matters for Agencies

Milestone billing reduces the risk of completing work without payment and encourages client engagement throughout the project. Common milestone structures include: 50% upfront, 25% at midpoint, 25% at completion—or more granular breakdowns for complex projects.

Example

Website project: 30% at contract signing, 30% at design approval, 20% at development completion, 20% at launch. Each milestone requires formal client sign-off before releasing payment.

Tie Payments to Approvals

Angelwood's payment gates automatically trigger invoices when clients approve milestones, ensuring you get paid when work is done.