payment terms review

Payment terms review before you start work

Payment language can turn a good project into a cash-flow problem. Signoti helps freelancers review deposits, milestones, acceptance, invoices, late payment, expenses, and termination payment terms.

US freelancersPrivate first-pass reviewNot legal advice

Common risks

What to review before you sign

These are business issues Signoti can help organize into plain-English flags and questions.

Subjective acceptance

Check whether the client can delay payment until it decides deliverables are acceptable.

Long payment windows

Review net 60, net 90, pay-when-paid, and other delayed payment language.

Missing deposits

Identify whether the contract lacks upfront payment, milestone payments, or non-refundable retainers.

Termination payment

Look for whether completed work, reserved time, and approved expenses are paid if the client cancels.

Example

Example payment terms flag

Contract language

Final payment is due within 90 days after Client's written acceptance, which may be granted in Client's sole discretion.

Possible Signoti flag

Payment may be delayed by both a long window and client-controlled acceptance.

Question to ask

Can acceptance be objective and deemed accepted after a short review period, with payment due within 15 or 30 days?

FAQ

Questions about this review

What payment terms should freelancers watch?

Deposits, milestone payments, acceptance, invoice due dates, expenses, late fees, revision limits, and termination payment.

Is net 90 risky?

It can create cash-flow risk, especially if payment also depends on client acceptance or third-party payment.

Can Signoti help me ask for better payment terms?

It can generate negotiation questions and explain why a term may matter commercially.

Payment disputes can depend on contract language and local law. Use Signoti for first-pass clarity and get help for significant unpaid amounts.

Review the contract before you sign

Your first review is free. Upload a real client contract and get a structured report with possible red flags and negotiation questions.

Review one contract free View sample report