A deposit lets you take part of the total up front before work begins. In Fee-Lion you set a deposit percentage on the estimate, then collect that deposit as a payment recorded against the estimate.
When you’d use this
Ask for a deposit whenever you are about to spend real time or money before the client has paid anything: custom work, bookings that block out your calendar, projects where you buy materials up front. A deposit does two things at once. It covers your early costs, and it tells you the client is serious, because people who pay 30% on day one almost never vanish on day thirty.
Putting the deposit on the estimate rather than asking for it separately keeps the whole thing in one motion for the client: they approve the quote, and the deposit is right there to pay. No second email, no “where do I send it?”
Set the deposit
- Open or build the estimate — see how to create an estimate.
- Set a deposit percentage on the estimate.
- Send the estimate to your client.
Collect the deposit
A deposit is simply a payment recorded against the estimate. You can collect it two ways:
- Online — the client pays the deposit from the branded portal through Stripe, and it records automatically.
- By hand — if they pay by check, cash, or wire, record the deposit manually with the Channel set to Offline.
Tip: Setting the deposit as a percentage means the amount scales with the estimate total — adjust line items and the deposit follows along.
FAQ
How much should the deposit be?
Between 25% and 50% is typical for service work. Go higher when you are buying materials or blocking out dates that cannot be resold.
Does the deposit come off the final invoice?
Yes. When you convert the approved estimate into an invoice, the deposit already collected is reflected so the client is only asked for the remaining balance.
Can the client pay the deposit online?
Yes, from the portal through Stripe, by card or ACH, as soon as they approve the estimate. If they pay another way, record it as an offline payment against the estimate.
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