Deposit
Money the customer pays when they accept the bid, before work starts, usually to cover materials and hold the date.
A deposit does two jobs. It pays for what the contractor has to buy before day one, so the job is not funded from their pocket. And it tells the contractor the customer is real. A deposit at signing is the normal practice on anything with materials.
How much is a judgment call: enough to cover materials, rarely more than half, less on small jobs, and the full cost of anything special-ordered. The amount goes on the bid as a line, and it is paid when the customer signs, not days later.
Related: Payment terms · Progress payment · Balance due
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