Payment Methods
List accepted payment methods such as ACH, wire, check, or credit card and include any fees or instructions tied to each method for efficient reconciliation and reduced processing delays.
Explicit payment terms protect cash flow, reduce disputes, and make collection predictable for firms handling phased or milestone work.
A project manager coordinating a multi-phase engineering project needs invoices tied to milestones, approval routing, and retainage tracking. They require clear payment deadlines, evidence of deliverable acceptance, and an auditable record to justify releases of withheld funds.
A subcontractor supplying labor or specialized services relies on timely progress payments and concise invoicing that references change orders. They need consistent payment terms to cover payroll, materials, and to avoid disruptions when larger contractors delay disbursements.
Engineering firms, general contractors, and subcontractors all depend on explicit payment terms to manage cash flow and contractual responsibilities.
Clear terms also help owners, project managers, and accountants reconcile budgets, approve draws, and close out contracts efficiently.
List accepted payment methods such as ACH, wire, check, or credit card and include any fees or instructions tied to each method for efficient reconciliation and reduced processing delays.
Specify late interest calculation, compounding rules, and legal caps to clarify penalties and encourage timely payments without creating enforceability issues.
Use sequential invoice numbers, reference purchase order or contract IDs, and mandate consistent numbering for auditability and payment matching by accounts payable.
Require attachments like timesheets, material receipts, and inspection reports to substantiate charges and speed verification for milestone or progress invoices.
If applicable, define escrow terms for project funds, including trustee instructions and release conditions to protect payments during disputes or insolvency events.
State that electronic signatures are accepted and reference the governing e-signature law to validate digitally signed invoices and approval documentation.
Specify the retainage percentage, release conditions, and timing for the final retainage payment to protect owners while providing contractors a clear path to final payment upon completion and acceptance.
Define discrete milestones with deliverables and approval criteria so each payment is tied to an objectively verifiable completion event, reducing disputes and streamlining approvals.
State precise payment timing such as Net 30, Net 45, or Net 60, plus the date when interest or late fees begin to accrue, and reference applicable interest rates or fees.
Require written change order approvals that include cost and schedule impacts, and instruct that invoices must reference change order IDs to be valid for additional compensation.
| Setting Name | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Reminder Frequency | 7 days |
| Retainage Percentage | 10 percent |
| Invoice Approval Chain | Two-step |
| Signature Authentication | Email + MFA |
| Document Retention Period | 7 years |
Make sure invoice templates and payment-term attachments are viewable and signable on desktop, tablet, and mobile devices for faster approvals.
Test invoice PDFs, embedded terms, and signature flows on each platform; ensure attachments open in common viewers and that authentication methods work consistently to avoid rejected submissions.
An engineering firm issues an invoice tied to three defined milestones with acceptance criteria for each deliverable and a 30-day payment term.
Resulting in clearer project accounting and reduced payment delays for subcontractors and suppliers.
A civil engineering subcontractor bills monthly progress based on percent complete and retains 10% of each draw until final acceptance, with change orders billed separately.
Leading to lower end-of-project disputes and a transparent final settlement process.
| Criteria | signNow (Recommended) | DocuSign | Adobe Sign |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESIGN/UETA validity | |||
| Audit trail detail | Comprehensive | Comprehensive | Comprehensive |
| API availability | |||
| Bulk send support |
Submit within 15 days after milestone completion.
Net 30 days from invoice date.
Apply interest after 31 days.
Release within 30 days after final acceptance.
Notify within 14 days of receipt.
| Metric | signNow (Recommended) | DocuSign | Adobe Sign | HelloSign | PandaDoc |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Plan Available | No | Limited trial | Limited trial | Yes | Yes |
| API Access Included | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bulk Send Capabilities | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA BAA Option | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available |
| Template and Docs Library | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Common Integrations | G Suite | Salesforce | Microsoft | Dropbox | Zapier |