IP: you can say you'd retain copyright ownership but grant them an non-exclusive perpetual license to use an instance of the software. Definitely define suppor

IP: you can say you'd retain copyright ownership but grant them an non-exclusive perpetual license to use an instance of the software. Definitely define support terms, e.g. I usually include 6 weeks of critical bug fixing in the price, with an hourly rate agreed upon for any out-of-scope work (unless it's a huge change, which would probably warrant a new proposal). Hourly rate for any other minor work (even bugs) 6 weeks out. Payment: in my freelance web work, I've always asked for 50% up front fee, with the final 50% due after the work is complete and up to spec (but before launching to production). I've found these are usually acceptable terms, esp. for work under 25k~. Sometimes I can't get away final 50% paid before launching to the public, but I'll remain firm with it if I don't completely trust them. Milestones are great. But 5 payments seems like a bit much, esp. with an institutional client like a university, which tend to be a pain to get paid by. You want as little bureaucratic busywork as possible, which means you make more per hour for the same flat fee.