On: I didn't get paid, so I open-sourced my client’s project

[futureastronaut]

I much prefer billing by hours/days with clear payment terms in the MSA, and iterative delivery,. Clients understand that if they don't pay, they're not going to get much. Project-based estimates with up-front payment probably is good for clients unfamiliar with software development processes, but I avoid projects like those.

[plotteddancer16 → futureastronaut]

What about something like $10k up front and then you invoice for the hours past that?

[milesdyson_phd → plotteddancer16]

So essentially retainer billing.