Request a retainer from a project

Why use it

Ordering furniture and committing hours before a client has paid anything puts your studio's cash at risk. A retainer collects a deposit up front through Stripe, holds it against the project, and lets you apply it to invoices as the work happens.

When to use it

• At project kickoff, before you start design work.
• Before a large order, to have client funds in hand.
• A percentage of the contract, when your agreement asks for a deposit, such as 30%.

Before you start

• You need to be the owner or an admin.
• Connect Stripe. If it is not connected, the window shows Connect Stripe instead. See Connect Stripe payouts.
• To use a percentage, set the project's contract value. See Edit project details.

Steps

1. 1

1. Open the project, for example Lombard Street Loft, and choose Request retainer (the wallet button).
2. The Request retainer window opens. If Stripe isn't connected yet, choose Connect Stripe first; it takes about two minutes.
3. Enter the Amount. Switch between a dollar amount and % of the contract value.
4. Choose Create Stripe link. The payment page opens in a new tab; copy its link and send it to your client.

What happens next

• The retainer appears in Retainers as Awaiting payment, with the payment link on its page.
• When your client pays, it becomes Active and the funds land in your Stripe account.
• Your client sees the retainer balance in their portal. See Paying a retainer.
• Apply it to invoices later. See Apply a retainer to an invoice.

Limits

Troubleshooting

• Connect your Stripe account first to collect retainers. Connect Stripe, then try again.