Payment terms and deposits for consultants
Typical terms: Monthly retainers in advance; project fees by milestone; 30 days is common with larger clients.
Deposits: Retainers paid in advance; 25–50% for fixed projects.
Agree your terms in writing before you start. The late payment clause generator writes them for you.
What to include on a consultant's invoice
Specific to your work
- The engagement or statement-of-work reference.
- Expenses itemised with receipts attached, if rechargeable.
Every UK invoice needs
- Your name or business name, address and contact details — and if you're a limited company, its registered name and number.
- The client's name and address (for a company, its exact registered name — check it here).
- A unique, sequential invoice number, and the invoice date.
- A clear description of the work, the date(s) supplied and the amount for each item.
- The total, the due date and how to pay (bank details or a payment link).
- If you're VAT-registered: your VAT number, the VAT rate and amount — use the VAT calculator.