One freelance project, from price to first invoice
Fictional teaching example, reviewed 17 October 2026. This is not a real client case study or a market rate recommendation.
1. Start with the brief
A client needs a five-page brochure website. They supply approved copy and images. You deliver a responsive build and one contact form on their existing hosting. Exclude ecommerce and copywriting so the quote has a clear boundary.
2. Build the price
| Work | Hours |
|---|---|
| Brief and content review | 3 |
| Layout and design | 8 |
| Build and form | 12 |
| Testing, revisions and handover | 7 |
| Total | 30 |
Assume your own planning rate is $50/hour: 30 × $50 = $1,500. This is a fixed-price quote based on an estimate, not a promise that every project takes 30 hours. If it takes 40 hours, the gross effective rate falls to $37.50/hour. Compare with your sustainable rate before accepting.
Calculate your own rate3. Compare a platform scenario
Enter $1,500 and USD in the fee calculator. For an illustrative Upwork contract rate of 10%, the fee is $150 and net is $1,350. With the calculator’s Fiverr 20% assumption: $300 fee and $1,200 net. With its Freelancer fixed-project formula max(10%, $5): $150 fee and $1,350 net. Use the fee actually shown for your contract; deductions can differ. These are alternative scenarios, not combined fees.
At 30 hours, $1,350 ÷ 30 = $45/hour after that platform deduction, before tax, payout costs, licenses and other expenses. A direct client quote of $1,500 is not automatically $1,500 take-home either.
Open fee calculator · Fee assumptions and sources4. Agree scope and milestones
Use the contract specimen below to turn the brief into measurable acceptance checks. Split the $1,500 into 40% / 40% / 20%: $600 before start, $600 after design approval and $300 after build acceptance. Put scope changes in a written change request before work starts.
If a booking system is requested later, pause to estimate its work and agree price and timing. Do not silently absorb it into the five-page brochure scope.
5. Invoice only the first milestone
The first invoice is $600, not the entire $1,500. The remaining $900 belongs to future milestones. Use quantity 1, unit price $600 and no discount. The specimen leaves tax unresolved; check your obligations before sending a real invoice. Do not mark an invoice paid until you verify receipt.
Applying the amount in the tool requires a second click and replaces invoice items. Complete client details, dates, description and applicable tax yourself.
Contract specimen
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Sample project agreement
FICTIONAL EDUCATIONAL DRAFT. Not signed. Replace every placeholder and confirm applicable law before use.
Project: five-page brochure website. Provider: [Freelancer legal name]. Client: [Client legal name]. Effective date: [agreed date].
Scope and acceptance
Home, About, Services, FAQ and Contact pages; responsive layout; one contact form with agreed recipient; deployment to the client’s existing hosting. Client supplies final text, images and account access. Excludes ecommerce, booking, branding, copywriting and paid licenses.
One consolidated revision round per design and build milestone. Acceptance checklist: all five pages present, supplied copy included, navigation and form tested, mobile layout reviewed at 360px and desktop at 1440px. Client provides written approval or a specific defect list within five business days. Silence is not automatic acceptance.
Price and schedule
Fixed price USD 1,500. USD 600 on written agreement before start; USD 600 after design approval; USD 300 after build acceptance before final handover. Example duration: three working weeks after content and access arrive. Client delays require a revised schedule agreed in writing.
Changes, rights and ending work
Out-of-scope requests require written description, additional price and revised deadline approved before work. On full payment, agreed original deliverables transfer to the client; pre-existing code and third-party materials keep their own licenses. If work stops, parties reconcile completed approved work and payments in writing; refunds or balances require agreement under applicable law. No automatic penalty is specified.
Before signing, agree governing law, dispute procedure, confidentiality, data responsibilities, support period and termination notice. This specimen leaves those points unresolved.
Provider signature: [not signed] Client signature: [not signed]
Invoice specimen
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Sample first milestone invoice
FICTIONAL EXAMPLE — NOT A PAYMENT REQUEST OR TAX INVOICE.
Invoice: DEMO-001 · Issued: 17 October 2026 · Example due date: 24 October 2026
From: [Freelancer legal name and address]
To: [Client legal name and address]
Currency: USD
| Description | Qty | Unit price | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Five-page website: first milestone (40% of USD 1,500) | 1 | $600 | $600 |
Invoice total: $600
Discount: $0. Tax: not calculated in this specimen; confirm registration, jurisdiction and required invoice fields before issuing. The example assumes no tax added; it does not establish a tax exemption.
Project value: $1,500. Future milestones: $600 + $300 = $900, excluded from this invoice. Invoice payment status: unpaid. Payment instructions: [verified recipient and payment method].
A platform deduction is a separate cost to the freelancer; it does not reduce this invoice’s $600 client amount. For a platform project, follow its billing rules.