If you’ve ever found yourself wondering…

• “Can I invoice yet?”

• “Is the project actually done?”

• “What if they come back weeks later with a change?”

…then your contract may be missing one of the most important clauses: a Project Completion Clause (aka Acceptance Clause).

And without it, you’re not just stalling revenue.
You’re draining energy — and leaving the door wide open for scope creep, ghosting, and payment delays.

A Quick Story (That Happens More Than You Think)

A creative business owner came to me after a frustrating launch with a long-term client.

They had just wrapped a rebrand: website, visuals, and email templates.
Every stage had been approved. The work was high-quality. The feedback was positive.
She sent the final delivery folder, proud of the collaboration and confident in the results.

Then… nothing.
No payment. No closure.
And a few weeks later, a string of fresh “requests” that weren’t part of the original scope.

“Can you just add one more page?”
“Actually, I don’t like the color anymore—can we try a new direction?”
“I’m still thinking… I’ll get back to you soon.”

The project that should’ve been wrapped turned into a never-ending holding pattern.

The Real Problem?

There was no clear clause in the contract defining what project completion actually meant.

The contract listed deliverables and revision limits — but didn’t draw a line between:

• Work submitted and project finished

• Open feedback loops and closed, completed work

• Requests within scope and new billable items

Why This Matters

Without a Project Completion Clause, your project has no firm ending.

That means:

• You’re on the hook indefinitely

• You can’t enforce final payment

• You’re left managing “vibe-based” revisions

• You risk damaging the relationship (or your reputation) if you draw boundaries later

What Should This Clause Say?

Here’s a simple, powerful version you can adapt:

“The Project will be deemed complete upon delivery of the final deliverables listed in this Agreement, or upon completion of the final round of agreed-upon revisions, whichever occurs later. Any additional work requested beyond this point will be subject to a new agreement and billed at the current hourly or package rate.”

This makes it clear:

• What ends the project

• When payment becomes due

• How to handle changes or extras

No confusion. No energetic leakage. No limbo.

Add This Too: Delivery Triggers Payment

Once you’ve defined completion, connect it to your payment terms.

Example:

“Final payment is due upon delivery of completed work, regardless of client’s internal review or implementation timeline.”

This removes the “I’ll pay when I get around to it” excuse — and keeps your business cash flow steady.

Contracts That Create Closure

A clear completion clause does more than protect your time.
It honors the energy you’ve already invested.

When your contract reflects real-world scenarios, you don’t have to hope the client plays fair.
You’ve already decided what fair looks like — together.

That’s powerful business.
That’s peace.
And that’s what we build inside Aligned Clients, Paid with Purpose™.

Want My Plug-and-Play Version?

In Aligned Clients, Paid with Purpose™, you’ll learn exactly how to word your completion clause, what to include, and how to integrate it with your other contract terms — all without sounding rigid or scaring your clients.

Because contracts aren’t walls.
They’re the sacred space where aligned business is born.

Explore the Program →