Contractor Payment Schedule Calculator
Distribute total contract across milestones (deposit / start / mid / completion) by % allocation.
Result
Sum of milestone %s
100.0%
✓ Sums to 100%.
- Deposit10%$6,000
- Start of work25%$15,000
- Mid-project30%$18,000
- Rough-in done20%$12,000
- Final/completion15%$9,000
- Total scheduled$60,000
Step-by-step
- Each milestone $ = total × milestone %.
- Deposit = 60000 × 0.1 = $6,000.
- Sum verifies to 100%.
How to use this calculator
- Enter total contract value.
- Adjust milestone %s — must sum to 100%.
- Tie payments to inspections passed, not dates.
- Show this schedule to your contractor before signing.
About this calculator
A clean payment schedule protects both sides. Common residential structures: 10% deposit, 25% at start, 30% mid, 20% at rough-in completion, 15% at final inspection. Front-loading favors the contractor; back-loading protects the homeowner. Most state contractor licensing boards cap deposits at 10-20% by law (CA: $1,000 or 10% whichever less). Always tie milestones to objective triggers (rough plumbing inspection passed, drywall hung) — never just to dates.
Frequently asked
In most states yes. CA: $1,000 or 10% (whichever less) by law. NY: 25% allowed. Check your state's contractor licensing board.
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