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Negotiating Payment Terms in Software Design and Development Services Contracts

Genie AI Free Intermediate

This one focuses on the money mechanics: deposits, per milestone releases, retention amounts, and review windows. It supports the idea of holding a meaningful final payment until you have actually used the build yourself. Use it to set percentages and timing you can defend in a negotiation.

• Keep the first payment modest so you can walk away cheaply.
• Retain a real percentage until final acceptance, not just delivery.
• Agree a clear window for accepting or rejecting each milestone.