If you’re a retained client, your payment terms will be clearly laid out at the beginning of the 12 month contract. Generally, this would be 12 equal payments across a 12 month period, with each month’s payment due on the last working day before the following month’s work is carried out. For example, a payment made by September 31st would be for all work carried out in October. The first month’s payment might be larger than other months, depending on when the retainer start date is and when work is carried out. For example, a retainer started on September 15th with work required immediately would need 6 weeks worth of payments up-front, to cover until the end of October. The payment then due by the end of October will be back to the original retainer schedule.

This will all be detailed and illustrated at the point of quoting and before any commitment.