Progress payment
A payment made partway through a longer job at a milestone both sides can see, like rough-in passed or framing complete.
Progress payments break a big job into stages so the contractor is never too far ahead of the money and the customer is never paying for work not yet done. The milestones should be things anyone can confirm: the inspection passed, the roof is dried in, the cabinets are set.
On a remodel a common shape is a deposit at signing, a payment at rough-in, a payment at cabinets or tile, and the balance at the punch list. The milestones and amounts go on the bid so the next check is never a negotiation.
Related: Payment terms · Deposit · Balance due · Substantial completion
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