Free Deposit Invoice Template
A deposit invoice is a partial invoice sent before work begins — requesting an upfront payment, typically 25–50% of the project total, to confirm the client's commitment and protect your time.
What is a deposit invoice?
A deposit invoice asks the client to pay a portion of the total fee before you start working. It reduces the risk of non-payment for work already delivered, ensures you have cash flow during a project, and confirms the client's commitment before you invest time.
What to include on a deposit invoice
- Your business name and contact information
- The client's name and project name
- A unique invoice number — for example, INV-001-DEPOSIT
- The invoice date and payment due date
- A clear line item for the deposit — for example, '50% deposit — Website Redesign Project'
- The exact deposit amount due
- Payment instructions and a direct payment link
- Reference to the approved estimate or project scope
How much to charge as a deposit
- 25–50% is standard for most service businesses and freelancers
- 50% is appropriate for new clients or custom work with significant upfront time investment
- 25–30% may be sufficient for long-standing clients with a payment history
- For material-heavy jobs (contractors, landscapers), charge enough to cover your material costs upfront
- Never start work until the deposit has cleared
When to send a deposit invoice
Send it at the same time as the project estimate or immediately after the client approves the estimate. Do not wait until the project starts. Collect the deposit before starting any billable work — this is the purpose of the deposit.
Sending the final invoice
Once the work is delivered, send a final invoice for the remaining balance. Reference the original deposit invoice number and project name so the client can reconcile the two payments easily. Keep both invoices in the same thread or client record.
Deposit invoices in Duevero
- Send a deposit invoice in one click from any approved estimate
- Every invoice includes a shareable link clients open in any browser — no account needed on their end
- Eligible invoices can be paid online by card when you connect your Square account
- Track which invoices are paid — deposit and final balance — in one place
- Clients can pay by card online or you can record cash, check, or bank transfer manually
- Free Basic plan — no credit card required