Payment Schedule Templates
Payment schedule templates define reusable payment structures that can be applied to contracts. Templates control which payment types are available and provide default descriptions for each payment milestone.
Accessing Payment Schedule Templates
- Go to Settings > Projects > Payment Schedule Templates
- View existing templates
- Create, edit, or manage templates
Template Structure
A payment schedule template consists of:
- Payment Features - Toggles that enable/disable payment types
- Progress Payment Configuration - Settings for recurring progress payments
- Payment Descriptions - Default text for each payment type
- Custom Line Items - Milestone-based payment entries with percentages
- Display Options - Control how schedules appear on contracts
Payment Features
These toggles control which payment types are available when this template is used on a contract.
Enable Deposit Agreement
When enabled, allows a Deposit Agreement payment line to be added to contracts.
- Used for collecting a deposit before the main contract
- Typically used with Deposit Agreement contract type
- Can have its own description text
Enable Due Upon Signing
When enabled, allows a payment line that is due immediately when the contract is signed.
- First payment collected at contract execution
- Invoice is created and marked due on signature date
- Common for deposits or initial payments
Enable Due on Commencement
When enabled, allows a payment line that is due when work begins on the project.
- Payment triggered when project work starts
- Requires marking the project as "commenced"
- Useful for start-of-work payments separate from signing
Enable Progress Payments
When enabled, allows recurring time-based progress payments throughout the project.
Progress payments are different from milestone payments:
- Progress Payments = Recurring payments at regular intervals (e.g., every 2 weeks)
- Milestone Payments = Payments triggered by completing specific work phases
When you enable progress payments, you configure:
| Setting | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Progress Payments | How many recurring payments | 4 |
| Payment Frequency | Interval between payments | 2 |
| Frequency Type | Days or Weeks | Weeks |
Example: 4 progress payments every 2 weeks means the customer pays 4 times, with each payment due 2 weeks after the previous one.
Progress Payment Configuration
When Enable Progress Payments is turned on, additional settings appear:
Number of Progress Payments
How many progress payments will be scheduled. For example, entering "6" creates 6 recurring progress payment invoices.
Payment Frequency
The interval number between payments. Combined with Frequency Type, this determines the schedule.
Frequency Type
Choose Weeks or Days for the payment interval.
Examples:
- 4 payments, frequency 2, type Weeks = Payment every 2 weeks, 4 times
- 6 payments, frequency 30, type Days = Payment every 30 days, 6 times
- 3 payments, frequency 1, type Weeks = Payment every week, 3 times
Payment Descriptions
Each payment type can have a default description that appears on contracts. These descriptions tell customers what the payment is for and when it's due.
Description Fields
| Field | Used For |
|---|---|
| Deposit Agreement Description | Text shown for deposit agreement payments |
| Due Upon Signing Description | Text shown for payments due at signing |
| Due on Commencement Description | Text shown for payments due when work starts |
| Progress Payment Description | Text shown for recurring progress payments |
| Final Payment Description | Text shown for the final/balance payment |
Progress Payment Variables
The Progress Payment Description supports variables that are replaced with actual values:
| Variable | Replaced With |
|---|---|
{{numberOfPayments}} | Number of progress payments configured |
{{progressPaymentAmount}} | Dollar amount of each progress payment |
{{paymentFrequency}} | Frequency number (e.g., 2) |
{{paymentFrequencyType}} | "weeks" or "days" |
Example Description:
{{numberOfPayments}} progress payments of {{progressPaymentAmount}} each,
due every {{paymentFrequency}} {{paymentFrequencyType}}.
Rendered Result:
4 progress payments of $5,000.00 each, due every 2 weeks.
Custom Line Items
Custom line items are milestone-based payments with specific percentages. Unlike progress payments (which are time-based), custom line items represent payments tied to project milestones.
Adding Line Items
- Click Add Line Item
- Enter the Name (e.g., "Foundation Complete", "Rough-In")
- Enter a Description (what triggers this payment)
- Enter the Percentage of the contract total
Example Line Items
| Name | Description | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit | Due upon contract signing | 10% |
| Foundation | Due when foundation is complete | 20% |
| Framing | Due when framing is complete | 30% |
| Rough-In | Due when rough-in inspection passes | 25% |
| Final | Due at substantial completion | 15% |
Reordering Line Items
Drag and drop line items to reorder them. The order determines how they display in contracts.
Percentage Total
All custom line items should total 100% of the contract. The final payment line automatically calculates the remaining balance.
Display Options
Control how payment schedules appear when used on contracts.
Show Milestone Titles
When enabled, displays the "Milestone Title" column showing payment names (Deposit, Framing, etc.).
Show Percentages
When enabled, displays the percentage column alongside dollar amounts.
Allow Modifications
When enabled, users can modify the payment schedule when creating a contract from this template. When disabled, the template's schedule is locked.
Creating a Template
Step 1: Basic Information
- Click Add Template or New
- Enter the Template Name
- Set status to Active
Step 2: Configure Payment Features
Toggle on the payment types you want available:
- Enable Deposit Agreement
- Enable Due Upon Signing
- Enable Due on Commencement
- Enable Progress Payments
Step 3: Configure Progress Payments (if enabled)
If you enabled progress payments:
- Enter Number of Progress Payments
- Enter Payment Frequency
- Select Frequency Type (Weeks or Days)
Step 4: Add Payment Descriptions
Enter default descriptions for each enabled payment type.
Step 5: Add Custom Line Items
Add milestone-based payment entries:
- Click Add Line Item
- Configure name, description, percentage
- Repeat for each milestone
- Verify percentages total 100%
Step 6: Set Display Options
Configure visibility preferences:
- Show Milestone Titles
- Show Percentages
- Allow Modifications
Step 7: Save
Click Save Changes to create the template.
Using Templates on Contracts
When creating a contract:
- Select a payment schedule template
- Template settings populate the payment schedule
- If Progress Payments are enabled, configure:
- Number of payments
- Frequency
- Frequency type
- Custom line items appear as payment milestones
- Modify if allowed and needed
- Payment schedule becomes part of the contract
Invoice Generation
When a contract is signed, invoices are generated based on the payment schedule.
What Happens When a Contract is Signed
- Invoices are created for each payment in the schedule
- Due on Signing payments are invoiced immediately
- Progress payments are scheduled based on frequency settings
- Milestone payments (custom line items) are created as pending invoices
- Final payment invoice is created for the remaining balance
Progress Payment Invoice Timing
For progress payments configured as "4 payments every 2 weeks":
| Invoice | Due Date |
|---|---|
| Progress Payment 1 | 2 weeks after signing |
| Progress Payment 2 | 4 weeks after signing |
| Progress Payment 3 | 6 weeks after signing |
| Progress Payment 4 | 8 weeks after signing |
Milestone Payment Invoices
Milestone payments (from custom line items) are created as pending invoices. You trigger them when the milestone is complete:
- Complete the milestone work
- Go to the project's Billing section
- Find the pending milestone invoice
- Click Trigger Invoice or Mark Due
Common Template Examples
Simple 50/50
Settings:
- Enable Due Upon Signing: Yes
- Enable Progress Payments: No
Custom Line Items:
| Name | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Deposit | 50% |
| Final Payment | 50% |
Monthly Progress Billing
Settings:
- Enable Due Upon Signing: Yes
- Enable Progress Payments: Yes
- Number: 3
- Frequency: 30
- Type: Days
Custom Line Items:
| Name | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Deposit | 10% |
| Progress Payments | (calculated from remaining) |
| Final Payment | 10% |
Milestone-Based Construction
Settings:
- Enable Due Upon Signing: Yes
- Enable Due on Commencement: Yes
- Enable Progress Payments: No
Custom Line Items:
| Name | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Deposit | 10% |
| Start of Work | 15% |
| Foundation | 20% |
| Framing | 25% |
| Rough-In | 20% |
| Final | 10% |
Permissions
| Action | Required Permission |
|---|---|
| View templates | View Settings |
| Create/edit templates | Manage Settings |
| Delete templates | Manage Settings |
| Use templates in contracts | Create Contracts |
Related Topics
- Payment Schedules - Using schedules in contracts
- Contract Templates - Contract document templates
- Contracts - Contract overview