Retainer

What is a retainer?

A retainer is an upfront fee a client pays to secure ongoing access to your services. Unlike a one-time deposit for a specific project, a retainer establishes a continuing relationship—the client pays regularly (often monthly) to keep you available when they need you.

Retainers are common for lawyers, consultants, accountants, IT support, marketing agencies, and any service where clients need reliable, ongoing access.

Types of retainers

Retainers can be structured in different ways:

• Pay-for-access — Client pays a flat fee to have you available; work may be billed separately
• Prepaid hours — Client buys a block of hours upfront (e.g., 10 hours/month) that you draw down as work is done
• Flat-rate service — Client pays a fixed monthly fee for a defined scope of work

Be clear about what happens if hours aren't used—do they roll over, expire, or get refunded?

Benefits of retainer agreements

Retainers create predictable, recurring revenue for your business. You know money is coming in each month, which makes planning easier. Clients benefit by locking in your availability and often getting priority service. It's a win-win when the relationship works.

Retainer vs. deposit

A deposit is a one-time upfront payment for a specific project, credited toward the final invoice. A retainer is an ongoing arrangement for continued access to your services. Deposits secure a job; retainers secure a relationship.