Payment schedules let you define when and how much your client owes at each stage of a project. Set them up in a proposal so clients see the plan before they sign.
How to Set Up a Payment Schedule
Go to any estimate and convert it to a proposal.
Scroll to the Payment Schedule section in the proposal.
Tap Set up payments.
Add payment entries. For each entry, fill in:
Name — label for this payment (e.g., "Deposit", "Framing Complete", "Final Payment")
Amount type — choose Percentage (e.g., 25%) or Fixed amount
Due date type — choose one of:
On Completion — due when the job is done
Milestone — due when a specific task is complete
Date — a specific calendar date
Add as many entries as you need. A typical setup might be: 25% deposit on approval, 25% at framing, 50% on completion.
After the Proposal Is Approved
Once your client approves the proposal, you can convert each payment entry into an invoice. Partial payments made against those invoices are tracked and logged automatically.
Tips
Milestone due dates are more flexible than fixed dates — useful when construction timelines shift.
Clients see the full payment plan before signing, reducing disputes.
To accept online payments (ACH or credit card), connect your bank account via Settings → Finance & Payments. See How Do I Set Up Payments with Rainforest?