An upfront fee paid to secure ongoing services, typically applied as a credit toward future invoices.
A retainer is an advance payment a client makes to secure your services on an ongoing basis. It acts as a commitment fee that guarantees your availability. The retainer amount is then drawn down as you perform work, or applied as credit toward future invoices.
Retainers are common for consultants, lawyers, accountants, IT support providers, and contractors who provide ongoing maintenance or advisory services.
The client pays an agreed amount upfront, typically monthly. You track hours or services delivered against the retainer balance. At the end of the period, you provide a statement showing what was used. Unused retainer amounts may roll over, be forfeited, or be refunded depending on your agreement.
A deposit is a one-time upfront payment applied to a specific project or invoice. A retainer is an ongoing arrangement that repeats each billing cycle. Deposits reduce a single invoice balance while retainers secure continuous access to your services over time.
Define the monthly retainer amount, what services it covers, how overages are billed, and what happens to unused hours. Put everything in a written agreement before starting. Invoice the retainer on a consistent schedule and provide regular statements so the client sees exactly what they are paying for.
Create and send retainer invoices on a recurring schedule with Invoicer.
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