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Four thousand a month against five projects
The retainer is 4,000 a month for 12 months. That is 48,000. Typical projects bill 8,000. You expect five of those in the year, which is 40,000.
Monthly retainer: 25% lower
Change monthly retainer to 3,000 while keeping the other example values the same.
Monthly retainer: 25% higher
Change monthly retainer to 5,000 while keeping the other example values the same.
Interactive chart
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Quick answer
What does the Retainer vs project fee calculate?
Does a monthly retainer or a project pipeline collect more in a year? This calculator uses monthly retainer, retainer months, typical project fee, and projects in the year to estimate a year of retainers versus projects immediately in your browser.
With the values currently entered, the result is Retainer — is estimated to collect $8,000.00 more this year. It also shows annual retainer, annual project fees, and monthly project equivalent.
How to use the Retainer vs project fee
- Replace the example values with your own numbers.
- Review the result and supporting figures as they update automatically.
- Check the formula and assumptions before using the estimate for a decision.
Inputs used
- Monthly retainer
- Retainer months — entered in months
- Typical project fee
- Projects in the year — entered in projects
Retainer vs project fee formula
Annual retainer = monthly retainer × months. Annual project fees = project fee × projects. Keep the larger total.
Assumptions
- SBA tells you to compare how you price work with the revenue those jobs bring in. This page uses one retainer and one typical project fee.
- Unused retainer hours, change orders, and late invoices stay out unless you fold them into the amounts you type.
Verify the inputs
Authoritative sources
These sources explain the definitions, factors, or rules behind this tool. Their geographic scope is shown because an official source for one country is not automatically valid somewhere else.
Tells you to compare marketing and sales costs with the revenue those efforts generate, and to keep a path from a visitor to a completed sale.
Manage your businessUS Small Business AdministrationScope: US small-business planning; method is generalSBA planning pages treat revenue, customers, and cash as figures you track on a period you choose. Recurring-revenue and churn ratios on this site use the amounts you type for that period.
Sources do not endorse Calculum. Check the source date, scope, and your own documents before making a financial, tax, insurance, or reporting decision.
Practical guide
Retainer vs project fee example and edge cases
A retainer is a monthly fee. A project fee is a price for one job. Put a year of each on the same page and keep the larger total. SBA tells you to compare how you price work with the revenue those jobs bring in.
Example: Four thousand a month against five projects
The retainer is 4,000 a month for 12 months. That is 48,000. Typical projects bill 8,000. You expect five of those in the year, which is 40,000.
- Monthly retainer
- 4,000
- Retainer months
- 12 months
- Typical project fee
- 8,000
- Projects in the year
- 5 projects
Calculated resultRetaineris estimated to collect $8,000.00 more this year
The retainer collects 8,000 more in this year. Quoting one project from hours and margin is the project quote calculator.
Example results use the default display profile. The calculator above follows your selected country and units.
How to read the result
- Read which path is larger, then the two annual totals. A small gap can flip when you add one more project.
- The monthly project equivalent tells you the retainer that matches that pipeline.
Edge cases worth checking
The retainer includes unused hours
If clients leave hours on the table, the retainer still bills. Lower the project count only if those unused hours would have been extra projects.
Projects slip into next year
Count only the jobs you expect to invoice in these months. A signed project that bills in January belongs in next year’s total.
What changes the result most
Monthly retainer
Use a current amount for monthly retainer. Include fees or recurring costs that belong in the same figure.
Retainer months
Keep retainer months on the same time basis as the other inputs. Monthly and annual values are easy to mix up.
Typical project fee
Use a current amount for typical project fee. Include fees or recurring costs that belong in the same figure.
Try a different scenario
Small changes show whether the answer is stable or sensitive.
Monthly retainer: 25% lower
3,000Projectsis estimated to collect $4,000.00 more this year
Monthly retainer: 25% higher
5,000Retaineris estimated to collect $20,000.00 more this year
Retainer months: 25% higher
12 monthsRetaineris estimated to collect $8,000.00 more this year
Common mistakes
Check monthly retainer
SBA tells you to compare how you price work with the revenue those jobs bring in. This page uses one retainer and one typical project fee. Make sure this matches the number you enter.
Keep projects in the year consistent
Unused retainer hours, change orders, and late invoices stay out unless you fold them into the amounts you type. Use the same units and time period throughout the calculation.
Do not rely on one retainer vs project fee scenario
Run a cautious case and an optimistic case. The range is often more useful than one exact-looking number.
Use this result well
Does a monthly retainer or a project pipeline collect more in a year?
It does not replace a quote, contract, accountant, or local employment guidance.