Restart Fee
Having a restart fee when a project is stopped and later resumed is a common and legitimate business practice, especially in service-based industries such as freelance work.
What is a Restart Fee?
A restart fee is a charge imposed when a client pauses a project (intentionally or due to non-responsiveness, delayed payments, etc.) and later requests that work resume. The fee compensates for:
Reallocation of resources: You may have moved on to other projects, and reassigning time and staff requires adjustments.
Lost productivity: The delay might have disrupted your workflow or schedule.
Context switching: Getting back up to speed often takes extra time, especially for complex projects.
Rescheduling costs: You may need to reschedule or rearrange other client work.
Re-engagement time: Reviewing materials, resetting tools, systems, or code environments, etc.
🔹 Restart Fee Clause (for 3D Rendering Services)
Project Pause and Restart Policy
If the project is paused or delayed for more than 10 consecutive business days due to client-related reasons—such as missed approvals, delayed feedback, non-responsiveness, or unpaid invoices—a restart fee of $500 will be required to resume work.
This fee covers the time and cost involved in:
Reloading and reviewing project files and assets
Reconfiguring rendering environments or software settings
Reallocating team and system resources
Adjusting project schedules and timelines
Resuming the project is also subject to current availability and may require an updated timeline. The restart fee must be paid in full before work can continue.
If the project is on hold for more than 30 days total, it may be considered terminated, and a new proposal or contract may be required to restart.