Why agree the payment plan in advance
A common source of disputes is not the price itself but unclear expectations: when to pay, for exactly what and what happens if the work is late. If this is agreed before the start, later conversations are simple.
Common ways to pay
There is no single right scheme. Common options:
- a deposit at the start, later payments for completed stages and a final balance on handover;
- payments by stage without a large initial deposit, for short jobs;
- a separate deposit for materials if the contractor buys them, and payments for labour by completed quantity.
How to set the deposit
There is no one rule: it depends on the scope of work, the cost of materials and what the parties agree. Ask: how much does the contractor need to start without financing the job from their own funds, and how much is the client comfortable paying upfront? What matters most is that the amount and its purpose are written down.
Tie payments to stages
Payments are easiest to understand when linked to clear stages: demolition done, services installed, finishing complete. Write the stages and amounts in the estimate or contract and check on site what has been completed.
What to record every time
- the date and the amount;
- what the payment covers (deposit, stage, balance);
- the payment method;
- the total paid so far and what remains.
Handover certificate and final balance
Before the final payment it helps to sign a handover certificate that shows the completed work and the last amount. An electronic signature lets you do this remotely, and both sides receive a signed copy.
How this looks in manoobjektas.lt
For each job you record the deposit, interim payments and balance. You see the overall picture of how much is still owed across jobs. The client can mark that they paid, and you check the account and confirm; only then is the payment recorded. Data can be exported for accounting.
Frequently asked questions
How big should the deposit be?
There is no single rule. It depends on the scope of work, the cost of materials and what the parties agree. The amount and its purpose should be clearly written in the contract or estimate.
Are extra works paid separately?
Usually yes: extra works are approved separately as their own line with a price and paid under the overall agreement on stages or final settlement.
How do I find out how much is still owed?
Add up all payments for the job and subtract them from the approved estimate including extra works. manoobjektas.lt shows this automatically for each job and for all jobs together.