How much deposit to take for custom orders (cakes, furniture, dresses)
By Olusegun Osunrinde, Founder, Sentralbee · Published
Many custom makers in the US and Canada take a 50% deposit to start and the balance before delivery or pickup. The real test is your costs: the deposit should cover the materials you buy for that order. Put your refund rule in writing before the customer pays, because card customers can usually dispute a charge for up to 120 days.
The short version
Take a deposit that covers your materials, and agree the rest before you start. For many custom makers in the US and Canada that means 50% up front and 50% before delivery.
What custom makers actually ask for
Here is what a few makers publish:
| Business | Deposit | Other terms |
|---|---|---|
| Bridal designer (Laviona, Boston) | 50% before materials are ordered | $300 design consultation fee first, credited to the deposit |
| Woodwork (RealCraft, US and Canada) | 50% to start | 50% on completion; some or all of the deposit may be non-refundable depending on production stage |
Published policies, checked in October 2026.
Make sure the deposit covers your materials
A fixed percentage is a starting point. Check it against your costs. For a custom dining table with $1,275 of lumber and hardware and a $3,360 price, a 50% deposit of $1,680 covers the materials. For a cake with costly sugar flowers and a small order value, 50% might not. Work out the true cost first, then set the deposit.
Card disputes and your deposit
Taking deposits by card is convenient, but customers can dispute charges long after they pay. According to Stripe:
- Card networks typically allow disputes within 120 days of the payment.
- For a future event or service, the window can start on the event date, not the payment date.
- Some methods, such as Klarna and PayPal, allow up to 180 days.
- You usually have 7 to 21 days to respond to a dispute, and the fee for receiving one is not refunded.
Your protection is a clear written policy the customer agreed to, plus proof of what you made and delivered: messages, photos, the signed quote.
A deposit policy you can copy
Deposit and payment terms 1. A deposit of [50]% confirms your order and your date. We buy materials only after it is paid. 2. The balance of [50]% is due [before delivery / before pickup / two weeks before the event]. 3. Finished pieces are held for [14] days after the ready date. 4. If you cancel before we buy materials, we refund the deposit minus [$X] for design time. 5. If you cancel after materials are bought or work has started, we keep the part of the deposit that covers materials and work done, and refund the rest. 6. Design changes after work has started may cost extra. We'll tell you the price first.
This is a starting point, not legal advice. Consumer rules differ by state and province, so check yours.
How Sentralbee helps
Sentralbee sends invoices and Stripe payment links, and on the Scale plan it bills a deposit and the balance as separate milestones. You can see which orders are delivered but not fully paid, and the Bee, our built-in AI partner, flags them. See finances or pricing.
Sources
- Laviona, Booking and design process, checked October 2026.
- RealCraft, Deposits, checked October 2026.
- Stripe, How disputes work, checked October 2026.
- Consumer Protection BC, Planning a wedding? Make sure you do these 7 things, April 2017.
Questions
Is a 50% deposit normal for custom work?
Yes. Published policies from US woodworkers and bridal designers commonly ask for 50% to start and 50% before delivery or on completion. Some charge a separate design or consultation fee first.
Can a customer dispute a deposit on their card?
Yes. Stripe says card networks typically allow disputes within 120 days, and for future events the window can start on the event date. Some payment methods such as Klarna and PayPal allow up to 180 days. A clear written policy and proof of what you delivered are your best defense.
Are non-refundable deposits allowed?
Rules vary by state and province, and we're not lawyers. What helps everywhere: write the refund rule down before the customer pays, keep it fair, and keep what you have actually spent on their order rather than a flat penalty.
When should I ask for the balance?
Before you hand over the finished piece. Bakeries often ask two weeks to a month before the event. Furniture makers and dressmakers usually ask on completion, before delivery or pickup.