ClockoutWhat is retainer?
A retainer is a recurring payment agreement where a client pays a fixed fee (usually monthly) for ongoing access to a set number of hours or services.
Retainer explained
Retainers provide predictable income for service providers and guaranteed availability for clients. Common structures: (1) hours-based retainer — client buys 20 hours/month at a set rate, unused hours expire or roll over; (2) deliverable-based retainer — fixed monthly fee for defined outputs; (3) access retainer — client pays for availability and priority response, hours billed separately.
Example
A marketing consultant charges a $3,000/month retainer for 20 hours of strategy and execution. The client uses 18 hours in March (2 hours expire) and 24 hours in April (4 overage hours billed at $175/hour = $700 extra).
How this connects to Clockout
Clockout tracks retainer hours against the monthly allocation and shows utilization. Overages are flagged before invoicing so there are no surprises. Recurring invoice templates automate the monthly billing.
Questions, answered
Frequently asked questions
What is retainer?
A retainer is a recurring payment agreement where a client pays a fixed fee (usually monthly) for ongoing access to a set number of hours or services.
Why does retainer matter for freelancers?
Clockout tracks retainer hours against the monthly allocation and shows utilization. Overages are flagged before invoicing so there are no surprises. Recurring invoice templates automate the monthly billing.
From definition to workflow
Track time, send invoices, get paid.
Clockout connects time tracking, invoicing, and payment reminders in one workflow. Free plan available.