Your money moves only when the work is done
For construction projects — once your permits are in hand and you're ready to build — you pay in stages tied to milestones. Each payment is made only after you approve that milestone, and contractors are paid through Stripe. Design, permit and site-plan deliverables are paid up front per deliverable.
How milestone payments work
Four stages. Every payment tied to an approved milestone.
Step 01
Agree the Payment Plan
Before work begins, you and your contractor agree the contract amount and how it splits across project milestones. Nothing is charged up front.
Step 02
Milestones Are Defined
Your project is broken into verified phases: foundation, framing, rough-in, drywall, finish, and final inspection. Each has a defined deliverable and payment amount.
Step 03
You Approve Each Phase
When a milestone is complete, you review the work and approve it. The payment for that milestone is charged only after your sign-off, and your contractor is paid through Stripe.
Step 04
Closeout & Final Payment
The final payment is made only after punch list sign-off and you confirm project completion.
How milestone payments help you
Every construction milestone payment on Kealee works this way.
Pay as work is approved
Each milestone payment is made after you approve that milestone, so you are not asked to pay the full contract amount in advance.
Lien waiver collection
We collect lien waivers at each payment milestone to protect your property from mechanics lien claims.
Approval before payment
If you do not approve a milestone, its payment is not made. Raise the issue with your contractor and the Kealee team before approving.
Full payment audit trail
Every payment, approval, and milestone sign-off is recorded and time-stamped in your Owner Portal.
Why lien waivers matter
When a contractor or subcontractor is paid, they sign a lien waiver releasing their right to file a mechanics lien against your property. Without lien waivers at each payment, a contractor who was underpaid by their subcontractor could legally place a lien on your home — even if you paid in full. Kealee collects conditional and unconditional lien waivers at every milestone payment.
Pay your builder in stages
Milestone payments are included with Kealee-coordinated construction projects — no add-ons, no surprises.