We invoice as work is done, rather than all at once. Here's how it works...

Since design and development are an iterative process so is our invoicing. Before we start to work on a project a ten hour retainer is required. Invoicing is done in either five or ten hour increments, and all invoices are due upon receipt (unless other arrangements have been made). That means payment should be made within one week of invoice receipt. Why? In order to provide our clients with the best possible hourly rates we must be paid promptly.

Retainers are quite common in the service industry. For example, when you purchase a car you pay first and then receive the finished product immediately. With design and development work, the finished product takes time to be completed, and undergoes revisions along the way. The retainer is applied to your last invoice of the project. When the last invoice is less than the retainer, the difference is returned to the client. In a way, it's similar to paying the last month rent in advance. It protects us from those who would try to cheat us. Unfortunate, yes, but necessary.

If the client is in good-standing, meaning there have been no prior overdue invoices, our accounting department gives a friendly reminder.

If invoices become seriously overdue (more than 30 days) or the amount overdue equals or exceeds the retainer, project work halts until the client's account is brought current. We treat our clients with respect, and expect the same in return. This includes paying invoices promptly.