Ask HN: New Consulting Client Quandary
Newbie here - new to consulting.<p>— Chapter 1— 
I have a potential new client ( a first time entrepreneur ) that has asked me to develop some new features onto their existing codebase.<p>The features are vague and big brush strokes IMHO, and require a few iterations of UX to lock in the actual interactions, user flow, and UI.<p>The client originally wanted some assurances and asked for a &#x27;cost-ceiling&#x27; which i declined to accept for the UX sprints, yet which I was ok with implementing = once a clear roadmap&#x2F;backlog was agreed upon.<p>Client response was “ok that works for me”<p>— Chapter 2—<p>I sent him a contract for the 1st sprint, with the terms these terms:<p><pre><code>  + 1 week sprint for UX ( 40hrs ) 
    with the option of going over these hours if required *approved prior to in writing.

  +  30% deposit to start

</code></pre>
— Chapter 3—<p>+ Client responded:
 “ If you require a 30% deposit upfront I would like to hold 30% as a completion payment as well.”<p>Question : is this a fair request? I’m trying to see it from his point of view, requiring some level of assurances, however I’m not at jeopardy to take any risks of my own, especially being on the hook for a nebulous ‘completion’ deliverable which needs multiple iterations and discovery.<p>What i want to avoid ( at this stage ) is a fixed price&#x2F;scope workflow.<p>How can i best explain this to him so he feels secure to go forward w&#x2F;o jeopardizing 
 the required agile methodology?