What Is A Retainer? - The Full Guide

As an entrepreneur with paid employees, you may have come across the word "retainer" or "retainer fee" and wondered what it meant in real terms. And if so, you've come to the right place...

In this article, we're going to explain all about retainers starting from the very basics, a definition. Then we will proceed to answer all of your most frequently asked questions on the subject.

By the end of our article, when we reach our conclusion, not only will you fully understand what a retainer fee is, but you will also be in a position to see whether paying a retainer fee is right for your business.

Please feel free to scroll ahead to any section that jumps out at you. Here goes.

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What Is The Definition Of A Retainer / Retainer Fee?

A retainer or retainer fee is a payment made by one party to another party, usually as part of a legal contract, which ensures that the other party continues to provide services. The term can apply to both individuals and businesses.

The term is used particularly often in law firms, where clients hire lawyers to represent them in court cases. In such cases, the client pays a retainer fee to the law firm to cover the costs of providing representation. But this is by no means the only use of a retainer fee.

The term can also refer to payments made by companies to freelancers who are hired to work on specific projects. For example, a company might pay a freelance writer a monthly retainer fee to write articles for its website.

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When Do I Need To Use A Retainer?

You should consider using a retainer when you want to ensure that someone provides you with ongoing services. This could include anything from writing content for your blog, creating marketing materials, designing graphics, building websites, etc.

You don't necessarily need to use a retainer every time you engage a service provider. But if you plan to hire someone regularly, then it makes sense to set up a retainer agreement.

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How Much Should I Pay As A Retainer?

It depends entirely on how long you expect to keep working with the person who has agreed to provide you with the services. If you'll be hiring a freelancer once and never again, then a flat-rate retainer is probably fine.

On the other hand, if you intend to continue working with a freelancer regularly, then you need to think carefully about how much you'd like to pay each month.

For example, if you would like to hire a graphic designer to create some new designs for your blog, then you should consider setting aside a certain amount per month for this purpose.

This way, you won't find yourself having to chase after your freelancer whenever you need something new. Instead, they will always be available to help you.

How Does A Retainer Differ From A Fixed Price?

A retainer differs from a fixed price because there is no limit to how much money you agree to pay us a retainer. You can decide to pay nothing at all, or you can pay whatever amount you wish.

A fixed price, however, limits you to pay exactly what you have agreed upon. So, if you've decided to pay £50 per month for web design services, then you cannot go back and change that decision later.

Instead, you must either cancel the project altogether, or you must pay the full amount.

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Is It Better To Pay A Retainer Or A Fixed Price?

In most situations, it's best to pay a fixed price rather than a retainer.

If you're unsure whether you want to pay a retainer, then you should ask yourself these questions:

Do I Need To Pay A Retainer?

If you only need the services of a single individual for a one-off project, then it may not make sense to pay a retainer.

For example, let's assume that you're planning to build a website for a friend. You know that she doesn't have any experience in this area, so you're going to hire her to do the job.

You wouldn't want to pay her a monthly retainer just in case she decides to quit her day job and start offering web design services herself.

So, unless you're sure that you'll need to employ a freelancer regularly, it may be more sensible to pay them a fixed price instead.

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Are The Services Worth Paying A Retainer For?

The answer to this question depends entirely on the type of services you require.

Let's say that you're looking for a freelance copywriter to write an article for your blog. In this situation, it might make sense to pay a monthly retainer.

However, if you were looking for a writer to produce several articles over just six months, then you shouldn't pay a monthly retainer for their services.

Instead, you should set up a fixed price agreement. This way, you don't run the risk of being stuck with someone who isn't willing to work hard enough.

What Are The Drawbacks To Paying A Retainer?

You should bear in mind that you are likely to incur additional costs when using your own money.

For example, suppose that you're hiring a freelance copywriter to create a series of five articles for your business blog. If you decide to pay a monthly retinue, then you'll need to pay the freelancer every month regardless of whether he has completed his work.

As a result, you could end up spending more money than you had anticipated.

On the other hand, if you choose to pay a fixed price, then you'll only need to pay once.

This means that you'll save time and money by avoiding unnecessary meetings and phone calls.

Final Thoughts

So, to sum up, there may be many instances where an entrepreneur may wish to pay a retainer fee for the services of a skilled freelance worker (or lawyer). And the key to deciding whether it's a good idea to pay one depends on the expected frequency at which you will want to use their services.

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