Think of it this way- you're either paying them up-front with your time and work or they're paying you up front with some cash. As somebody who has been burned

Think of it this way- you're either paying them up-front with your time and work or they're paying you up front with some cash. As somebody who has been burned badly by somebody who didn't pay up after work was delivered I can tell you do not ever work before getting some fee up-front (preferably the entire amount). If the person can't afford to pay you before you start, you probably don't want them as a customer. Conversely, those who are ready, willing, and able to pay are the best and most lucrative customers to have (and you can charge a lot more than $2300 for your services).