Developers, designers, and consultants
Milestone payment schedule template
Define each payment trigger, amount, review window, and due date so the schedule reconciles to the engagement total.
When to use it
Use this schedule inside a project agreement when delivery can be divided into objective stages the client can review or approve.
Replace every bracketed field before sending.
01
Engagement summary
Client: [Client legal name] Professional: [Your legal or business name] Engagement: [Project or service name] Currency: [USD / EUR / GBP / NGN / other] Project fee before tax: [Amount] Tax, if applicable: [Amount or rate] Total engagement value: [Amount]
02
Milestone 1 — Start condition
Trigger: The agreement is signed by both parties. Deliverable or decision: [Deposit / discovery start / reserved delivery capacity] Invoice amount: [Amount] Invoice timing: [Issued on signature] Payment due: [Date or number of days] Work unlocked by payment: [Specific work that may begin after cleared payment]
03
Milestone 2 — Reviewable delivery
Trigger: [Prototype / staging build / audit / workshop output] is delivered for review. Acceptance criteria: [Observable criteria] Client review window: [Number] business days Invoice amount: [Amount] Invoice timing: [On delivery / on written approval] Payment due: [Date or number of days]
04
Milestone 3 — Final delivery
Trigger: [Production launch / final files / roadmap / executive readout] is delivered. Final handover includes: [Files, access, documentation, or presentation] Invoice amount: [Amount] Invoice timing: [On delivery / before transfer of final access] Payment due: [Date or number of days]
05
Review delays and changes
If the Client does not provide the required review, access, or consolidated feedback within [number] business days, later delivery dates will move by the resulting delay. Any request that changes deliverables, cost, or delivery time will be documented and approved in a separate change order before the additional work begins.
Before you send it
Customize the commercial details.
- 01Make every trigger observable to both parties.
- 02Confirm all milestone amounts plus tax reconcile to the stated total.
- 03Name what cleared payment unlocks at each stage.
- 04Replace silence-based approval with an explicit rule appropriate to the engagement.
Put the approved terms into the workflow
Keep the agreement, invoices, follow-up, and payment record connected.
This template is a general commercial starting point, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Adapt it to the engagement and obtain professional advice where required.