Milestones

[#1]

Hi,
Can a client on Upwork fund milestone even when the freelancer mistakenly chose to be paid by project?

[#2 · Accepted solution]

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Tracey D wrote:
Hi,
Can a client on Upwork fund milestone even when the freelancer mistakenly chose to be paid by project?

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Paid by project = milestones = fixed price. If you mean can the client create more milestones on a contract? Yes. 

[#3]

Thanks Martina.
The client told me some minutes ago that he'll create the contract. Will I get notified on a part of my Upwork profile or my email if he does? (Remember, it's a fixed project not an hourly one)

[#4]

Hi Tracey,

Yes, you should receive a notification and email about the offer from the client. I would like to remind you that you shouldn't provide any work until your client sends you an offer and a contract is created under your My Jobs tab. Please note that any request for free work is not allowed on Upwork, and it is a violation of Upwork's Terms of Service.

[#5]

Alright Nikola,
The client already sent me the file to work with and told me the deadline is September 10, which is this Friday, but still I'm yet to get any offer/contract notification. He said he'll create the contract.
1. How long should it take?
2. And can I create one from my end and send it for him to approve, or must the client be the one to create the contract?
3. And would there be any need for a work diary to be created even though it's a fixed project?

[#6]

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Tracey D wrote:
Alright Nikola,
The client already sent me the file to work with and told me the deadline is September 10, which is this Friday, but still I'm yet to get any offer/contract notification. He said he'll create the contract.
1. How long should it take?
2. And can I create one from my end and send it for him to approve, or must the client be the one to create the contract?
3. And would there be any need for a work diary to be created even though it's a fixed project?

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1. A few seconds

2. No, client has to send you an offer.

3. No. 

If the client gives you a deadline, but doesn't send an offer, that's perfectly fine. Tell him you are ready to start as soon as you get the offer. Don't be pressured into thinking that you need to start working now. Worst case they want free work. Never do that. 

[#7]

Thanks Martina

[#8]

Thanks Martina.
The client has created the contract and sent the offer. He has divided the project into 2milestones, but are the milestones meant to have a description of the level of the finished project I'm meant to submit to client? Because all I saw was milestone and the expected pay in $$🤔

[#9]

Milestone should briefly describe the tasks to be completed and value in $$ assigned to that milestone, that you will be paid after completing that milestone.

When working on Fixed price projects, one should take care the milestone values are equivalent to the work expected of that milestone. 

For example, if the project fixed fee is $600 and the client expects you to deliver 25% of the project in first milestone, the milestone value should at least be $ 150! 

Often clients create smaller milestones like $75, $50 and expect the freelancer to deliver larger portion of the work, with a promise to fund more after reviewing your work, then there will be multiple revisions requests until the freelancer delivers a significant part of the project. Only to be left wondering why the client is not responding? Also, you should not do any more work then what was agreed for that milestone unless that milestone is released and another milestone created, funded and activated! 

Not all clients are like this, but since this will be your first project, just giving you a heads up! New Freelancers, like you, are a target of such games! 

Best of Luck! 

[#10]

Okay Ashraf.
So is there a way for me to see if the milestones have their descriptions each? Because I can't see any around the milestones, all i can see is just the pay in $$ for each milestone.

[#11]

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Tracey D wrote:
Okay Ashraf.
So is there a way for me to see if the milestones have their descriptions each? Because I can't see any around the milestones, all i can see is just the pay in $$ for each milestone.

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It is completely immaterial what the wording on the milestone says. Just make sure to discuss is thoroughly with the client what work you have to deliver under which milestone. 

[#12]

Okay.
As the project's been divided into milestones, the client's escrow account has been funded with the payment for the 2 milestones right?

[#13]

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Tracey D wrote:
Okay.
As the project's been divided into milestones, the client's escrow account has been funded with the payment for the 2 milestones right?

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I'm actually not sure, I don't believe so. What I know for sure is that the client has to approve the first milestone before he can activate the second. Unless he does that, you will never receive the second milestone payment. That's why you absolutely should not deliver more work than agreed upon in the first milestone. 

Don't be embarrassed to discuss this with your client. That can save you a lot of headache later. 

[#14]

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Tracey D wrote:
Okay.
As the project's been divided into milestones, the client's escrow account has been funded with the payment for the 2 milestones right?

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Usually it will only be the first milestone that is funded.

Take a look at the contract. Do you see the milestone(s)? It or they will show as funded next to the milestone(s) if it or they are funded

[#15]

Ideally, this should have been discussed before the creation of milestone and contract. If not please contact the client for any clarification. 

Do not rush into a contract without getting all the details and setting correct expectations

Also remember if the client is not providing details or clarifications, you can always decline the offer, do not accept the offer unless you have all the details of the job and milestone. 

[#16]

I have a not yet client and ask me to deposit milestone(award) that cost 34usd. And she said that as a freelance we can't proceed without that. Is that true? I'm just new in upwork. Thank you for answering my question.

[#17]

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Cleofe C wrote:

I have a not yet client and ask me to deposit milestone(award) that cost 34usd.

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It's a scam.

[#18]

I see. And they always ask to message them to what app.. I really don't have money right thats why I refuse them. Thank you for the answer now I know

[#19]

Hi Cleofe, 

Asking for payment in exchange for work is a violation of the Upwork Terms of Service. If you haven't already, please report the client by following the steps here. 

 
It would be best if you read up on the "Safety First!" section of the freelancer resources we have compiled, these tips for avoiding questionable jobs, and these articles for more information about working safely through Upwork. 

[#20]

Thank you for letting me know.