Client Says They Will Pay When the Project Is Done: Email Template

"We will pay when everything is finished" sounds simple until you have already spent weeks unpaid. Most freelancers who get stuck here never agreed to that term in writing. A short email that restates deposit or milestone terms beats arguing about fairness.

What to lock before more work

• Check the signed proposal or contract for deposit / milestone language.
• If nothing is signed, pause new work until a payment schedule is agreed in writing.
• Offer a small first milestone if a full deposit feels hard for them.
• Do not deliver final files until the agreed portion is paid.

Rules that protect you

• "Pay at the end" is a term, not a favor. Put it in writing or refuse it.
• Partial delivery (drafts, staging links) is fine; transferable finals wait on payment.
• If they already owe for completed work, collect that before starting the next phase.

Free template

Replace every [bracket] before sending.

Hi [Client Name],

Happy to keep [Project] moving. I do not start (or continue) unpaid work with payment only at the very end.

For this project the schedule is:
• [Deposit / Milestone 1]: [Amount] due [Date] before [Deliverable]
• [Milestone 2]: [Amount] due on [Trigger]
• Final: [Amount] due on [Final delivery]

Payment link for the next amount: [Payment Link]

Once [Deposit / Milestone 1] clears, I will [Next Action] by [Date]. If a different split works better for your cash flow, reply with what you can do this week and I will confirm in writing.

Thanks,
[Your Name]

Free template (alternate)

Replace every [bracket] before sending.

Hi [Client Name],

Before I continue on [Project], I need payment timing in writing. Paying only when everything is finished leaves both of us unclear.

Can you confirm by [Reply-by Date]:
• Deposit / first payment of [Amount] by [Date], or
• Another dated schedule you can commit to

Invoice / link: [Payment Link]. Happy to adjust scope to match what you can fund now.

Thanks,
[Your Name]

Free mini-pack: 3 more follow-up templates (HTML + PDF), no signup.

Related guides

• Polite reminder to pay a deposit
• Deposit not paid before start
• Milestone payment overdue
• Pausing work until payment
• Written payment commitment

Practical communication guidance only, not legal advice. Payment terms, late fees, and collection options depend on your contract and jurisdiction.