Milestone, fixed-price, hourly or retainer: which contract fits?
The four ways to hire on Topplancer, and when each one makes sense.
Topplancer team1 min readMilestones for larger projects
Split the work into stages, each with its own deliverable and amount. You approve and pay for one stage at a time, so progress and payment stay in step.
Milestones suit websites, apps, brand projects and anything that takes more than a couple of weeks.
Fixed price for well-defined work
One agreed price for one clearly described deliverable, such as a logo or a set of articles. It works best when the scope is unlikely to change.
Hourly for open-ended work
Pay for time spent when the amount of work is hard to predict, such as ongoing fixes or support. Agree a weekly limit so costs stay predictable.
Retainer for ongoing help
A monthly arrangement for regular work, such as a virtual assistant or a social media manager. Agree what is included each month and review it regularly.
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