Kill Fee Calculator

Set fair cancellation fees by project stage so you are protected when a client pulls the plug mid-engagement.

Total project fee $10,000

Deposit % 30%

Mid-project completion % 50%

Near-completion % 90%

Cost of displaced work $2,000

Near-completion kill fee

If client pulls plug at 90% complete

Mid-project kill fee

Pre-start deposit (forfeited)

Kill fee by project stage

💡 Kill fee insight

Kill Fee Calculator

The Kill Fee Calculator helps you set fair cancellation charges by project stage so you are protected when a client pulls the plug mid-engagement. You enter the total project fee, your deposit percentage, the percentage complete that triggers the mid-project tier, the percentage that triggers the near-completion tier, and the cost of any work you displaced to take the project. The calculator returns a non-refundable deposit, a mid-project kill fee, and a near-completion kill fee. Use it once when drafting your contract template, then refer to it whenever a tough cancellation hits. Without these clauses written in advance, a cancellation costs you the full project fee plus the displaced work, plus the time spent disputing it.