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Joinery Partner milestones (50/40/10)

Joinery Partner payments split into three milestones — 50% at Design Freeze, 40% on delivery, 10% after snagging clears. Funds are held in the Beams Account at each stage.

Joinery Partner payments split into three milestones, in line with the Joinery Improvement Contract (JIC): 50% at Design Freeze, 40% on delivery to site, 10% after snagging is cleared. Funds are held in the Beams Account until each release.

Why this shape

Joinery is bespoke. You're committing to materials, tooling, and shop time before the build is anywhere near complete. The 50% at Design Freeze recognises that commitment — without it, fabrication doesn't start.

The 40% on delivery covers the items arriving at the customer's home. By that point, you've fabricated and delivered; the build still has install, snagging, and sign-off ahead.

The 10% withhold is the customer's lever for snagging. It means you stay engaged with the snag-list until it clears. Released on sign-off.

Milestone 1 — Design Freeze (50%)

Triggered by: the customer's written approval of shop drawings.

Evidence we'll need:

  • The signed-off shop drawings.
  • A confirmation note from you and the customer that Design Freeze has been reached.

Released to you: within the standard payment window after approval.

Milestone 2 — Delivery (40%)

Triggered by: items delivered to site, accepted by the lead builder (or the customer where the lead builder isn't on site).

Evidence we'll need:

  • Delivery note signed by the receiver.
  • Photos of the delivered items in good condition.
  • Confirmation that quantity and spec match the order.

Released to you: within the standard payment window after delivery confirmation.

Milestone 3 — Snagging cleared (10%)

Triggered by: the customer's sign-off that the joinery is complete and snags have been sorted out.

Evidence we'll need:

  • Closed snag-list (or confirmation of no snags).
  • Customer's written sign-off.

Released to you: within the standard payment window after sign-off.

When milestones are disputed

If the customer disputes a milestone (e.g. an item is damaged on delivery, or a snag isn't being addressed), the milestone is paused. Your build advisor coordinates a resolution. The article Snag-list response standard covers expectations on snagging speed.

Variations and change orders

Variations within the JIC follow a change-order process: you provide cost and time impact; the customer approves; you proceed. Change-order payments run on their own milestone schedule, which we agree with you at the point of issue (typically split between issue and delivery).

What this means for you

The 50/40/10 shape protects you (you're not fabricating without commitment) and protects the customer (they have a final lever on snagging). Plan your cash flow around the three points. The Beams Account holds the funds at each stage; the platform handles the mechanics.

  • How a joinery project runs alongside a build
  • Snag-list response standard
  • Coordinating with the lead builder

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