Payment Methods for Custom Plush Manufacturing

Clear payment milestones help finance, procurement, and product teams control development spending, production commitments, inspection, and international shipment release.

Sample and development costs are confirmed before prototype work begins.
New bulk orders commonly follow a 50% deposit and 50% balance before shipment.
Bank transfer is preferred for production orders, while approved alternatives may support samples or selected transactions.
Every payment condition is recorded in a quotation, Proforma Invoice, purchase order, or contract before funds are transferred.

Payment Terms At A Glance

Each payment stage connects to a defined project action, commercial document, and responsibility rather than an unclear request for funds.

Sample Payment

Sample fees are normally confirmed before paper pattern development, material preparation, embroidery programming, sample sewing, internal evaluation, or packaging mockup work begins. The amount depends on product size, structural complexity, SKU count, fabrics, printed or embroidered details, accessories, electronic functions, and packaging requirements. International courier charges are normally quoted separately because shipment cost changes with sample dimensions, weight, destination, and delivery service.

Production Deposit

A new bulk order commonly enters production preparation after a 50% deposit is received. The deposit allows Pufumi to book approved fabrics, filling, embroidery thread, accessories, labels, retail packaging, and production capacity. Special materials or custom packaging may require earlier supplier commitments. A delayed deposit can move material arrival, production, inspection, shipping, and warehouse delivery dates because the original manufacturing slot cannot remain reserved indefinitely.

Balance Payment

The remaining 50% is commonly paid before shipment. Pufumi can provide finished-product photographs, inspection records, packing information, carton data, or other agreed pre-shipment documents for review. Cargo release, pickup authorization, or shipping-document release follows the written payment condition stated in the PI or contract. Alternative balance arrangements require formal approval based on order value, cooperation history, credit assessment, and project risk.

Formal Documents

Payment instructions are issued through a formal quotation, Proforma Invoice, contract, or accepted purchase order. The document should identify the product, quantity, SKU structure, unit price, currency, packaging, trade term, payment milestones, lead-time assumptions, exclusions, validity period, and receiving entity. Finance teams should verify any change to bank details through the official Pufumi email and a second confirmed communication channel before transferring funds.

Separate Charges

Sample development, testing, packaging tooling, custom-dyed materials, electronic modules, international freight, import taxes, bank charges, and platform fees are not automatically included in a basic product price. Each applicable cost is identified before commitment. Keeping one-time development costs separate from unit manufacturing costs gives product and finance teams a clearer view of first-order investment, repeat-order economics, and the financial effect of later specification changes.

Written Confirmation

Commercial discussions through email, video meetings, WhatsApp, WeChat, or Alibaba help establish project direction, but final payment terms must appear in written commercial documents. A verbal statement does not replace the PI. Changes involving quantity, dimensions, materials, packaging, target market, delivery route, or production timing may require a revised quotation. Pufumi records sample payments, deposits, balances, testing fees, freight charges, and payment exceptions in the project archive.

Payments Aligned With Project Milestones

Funds are connected to visible deliverables, approvals, material commitments, production actions, inspection records, and shipment release throughout the plush program.

Development Starts & Deposit Releases Production

Formal development starts after the design scope, sample deliverables, relevant fees, and payment receipt are confirmed. A standard character sample may require artwork review, pattern engineering, material selection, embroidery setup, sewing, filling, shaping, and internal inspection. Required input: artwork, target size, quantity, market, age group, and packaging direction. Typical internal sample benchmark: 7–12 working days for ordinary samples. Complex structures, electronic functions, multiple outfits, or multi-SKU groups may require 12–20 working days. Timing begins after complete information, payment, and critical materials are available.
After the approved sample, final specification, quantity, packaging, and commercial conditions are confirmed, the production deposit releases bulk-order preparation. Pufumi converts the approved result into production files and coordinates approved materials across the manufacturing system. Materials are booked against the released BOM. Packaging files and labeling versions are checked. Production capacity is assigned according to product complexity. Long-lead fabrics, custom colors, metal accessories, or electronic modules are scheduled. Delayed deposit payment moves the material and production schedule accordingly.

Inspection Supports Balance & Payment Releases Shipment

Bulk completion does not automatically mean immediate shipment. The agreed inspection and packing activities must first be completed. Depending on the order, evidence may include product photographs, measurement results, quantity confirmation, functional checks, barcode verification, carton information, or a third-party inspection report. Finished products are compared with the approved sample and released files. Packaging, labels, barcodes, and carton marks are checked. Nonconforming items are separated and handled. Final shipment quantity and packing data are confirmed before the agreed balance milestone.
After the balance reaches the confirmed account, Pufumi proceeds with the agreed cargo-release arrangement. The exact action depends on the trade term and logistics plan, including factory pickup, export shipment, forwarder handover, or destination delivery coordination. Cargo may be released to the nominated forwarder. Shipping documents may be issued according to the transaction structure. Freight, duties, insurance, and destination charges follow the confirmed trade term. Payment delay can affect vessel space, courier booking, warehouse appointments, storage costs, and launch timing.

Inspection Supports Balance

Bulk completion does not automatically mean immediate shipment. The agreed inspection and packing activities must first be completed. Depending on the order, evidence may include product photographs, measurement results, quantity confirmation, functional checks, barcode verification, carton information, or a third-party inspection report.

Finished products are compared with the approved sample and released files.
Packaging, labels, barcodes, and carton marks are checked.
Nonconforming items are separated and handled.
Final shipment quantity and packing data are confirmed before the agreed balance milestone.

Payment Releases Shipment

After the balance reaches the confirmed account, Pufumi proceeds with the agreed cargo-release arrangement. The exact action depends on the trade term and logistics plan, including factory pickup, export shipment, forwarder handover, or destination delivery coordination.

Cargo may be released to the nominated forwarder.
Shipping documents may be issued according to the transaction structure.
Freight, duties, insurance, and destination charges follow the confirmed trade term.
Payment delay can affect vessel space, courier booking, warehouse appointments, storage costs, and launch timing.

Accepted Payment Methods For Global Plush Orders

Payment channels are selected according to transaction value, sample or bulk status, company verification, banking cost, currency, and written commercial approval.

Bank Transfer

T/T bank transfer is the preferred method for bulk plush production. It provides clear remittance records and is suitable for larger product, packaging, testing, and freight values. The receiving account, currency, company information, and bank details must match the formal PI. Intermediary bank charges, sending fees, receiving fees, and exchange differences should be confirmed before payment to avoid an unexpected shortfall.

Sample Payments

PayPal, credit card, Wise, WorldFirst, Alipay, or WeChat Pay may be used for sample fees or selected development charges after written confirmation. Availability can depend on country, transaction value, account verification, currency, and processing cost. Platform or card fees are not automatically absorbed into the quoted amount. Pufumi confirms the net amount required before formal sample work is released.

Platform Transactions

Alibaba platform payments, Escrow arrangements, and approved third-party payment services may support projects requiring an additional transaction framework. The platform order must match the agreed product, quantity, specification, price, shipping condition, and approval status. Platform rules do not replace engineering files, Golden Sample approval, packaging confirmation, or project-specific quality standards. Any service fee or settlement delay should be reviewed before scheduling production.

Other Approved Methods

Western Union, third-party collection, freight-forwarder collection, or another compliant method may be considered under specific commercial conditions. Approval depends on the identity of the paying entity, transaction traceability, legal compliance, receiving arrangement, and financial review. Pufumi does not accept unexplained payments from unrelated entities. Any difference between the ordering company, paying company, and invoiced company must be disclosed and approved before funds are sent.

What A Plush Sample Fee Covers

A plush prototype combines product engineering, specialist labor, material preparation, process testing, internal review, and controlled revisions rather than ordinary unit production.

Development Work Behind A Custom Plush Prototype

Pattern development forms the engineering foundation of a sample. A pattern maker interprets the character silhouette, head volume, body thickness, limb proportions, seam positions, fabric direction, clothing layers, accessories, and filling behavior before the first piece is sewn. Complex designs can require many individually numbered pattern pieces and repeated structural adjustments. Material preparation also carries a different cost structure from bulk production. A sample may require small quantities of minky, velboa, faux fur, filling, embroidery thread, clothing fabric, hardware, labels, electronic components, or custom accessories. Small-quantity sourcing, color matching, supplier coordination, and material substitutions usually cost more per unit than bulk purchasing. Additional work may include:

Embroidery programming for eyes, mouths, logos, badges, or clothing details.
Printing setup for sublimation, screen printing, heat transfer, or positioned graphics.
Trial sewing and filling to evaluate shape, expression, balance, softness, and posture.
Internal review of dimensions, materials, facial features, construction, accessories, and presentation.
Photographs and videos prepared for remote evaluation before international shipment.

A sample fee therefore represents development effort and deliverables, not the future bulk unit price.

Revisions, Packaging Samples And Special Components

Revision cost depends on the reason for the change. When a sample does not follow an already confirmed brief, Pufumi takes responsibility for correcting the execution. When new artwork, changed dimensions, different fabrics, additional clothing, revised packaging, new functionality, or fresh licensor comments alter the approved scope, extra material, labor, programming, and development time may be required. Retail packaging often follows a separate sample path. Blind boxes, window boxes, gift boxes, display cartons, paper sleeves, inserts, hangtags, story cards, and collector cards may involve dielines, structural mockups, print proofs, trays, assembly tests, and packing trials. Packaging samples are normally evaluated separately from the plush prototype because product approval does not automatically approve package dimensions, print color, labeling, or protection. Electronic plush projects can add:

Sound, recording, LED, sensor, or motion-module samples.
Battery compartment and switch evaluation.
Module placement and sound-output testing.
Functional checks before and after final sewing.
Packaging checks to prevent accidental activation.

International courier cost is normally quoted separately. Sample fee credit, partial deduction, or other treatment may be available when a qualifying bulk order is placed under the conditions stated in the quotation or PI. No automatic refund or deduction applies unless written into the commercial terms.

How Bulk Production Payments Are Structured

Bulk payment milestones support material commitments, production scheduling, quality control, packing, and cargo release while keeping commercial responsibility clear for both parties.

What The Production Deposit Activates

For a new bulk order, the common structure is a 50% deposit after order confirmation and a 50% balance before shipment. The exact ratio can be adjusted for qualified long-term relationships, large annual programs, order value, payment history, or project risk, but any adjustment must appear in a formal PI, contract, or accepted purchase order. After the deposit is received, Pufumi can release the approved project into production preparation. Activities may include:

Booking approved fabric, filling, embroidery thread, accessories, and labels.
Ordering custom-dyed material or project-specific components.
Confirming packaging quantities, print files, dielines, and assembly requirements.
Reserving manufacturing capacity according to technical complexity.
Releasing approved paper patterns, embroidery programs, BOM versions, and quality requirements.
Coordinating external processes such as printing, metal parts, electronic modules, or packaging.

The deposit is not simply a reservation fee. It supports real supplier commitments and materials that may be difficult to reuse for another character, brand, color, or package. Cancellation or major specification changes after material release can therefore create nonrecoverable costs. Relevant consequences should be addressed in the commercial agreement before production starts.

What Happens Before The Final Balance

Before the balance milestone, the order moves through production, process inspection, finishing, final inspection, packaging, and shipment preparation. Evidence supplied before payment depends on the approved quality plan and commercial agreement rather than a universal document package. A pre-shipment review can include:

Finished-product and packaging photographs.
Quantity, carton count, gross weight, net weight, and CBM.
Measurement or workmanship inspection records.
Barcode, FNSKU, hangtag, care-label, and carton-mark verification.
Electronic function or accessory checks where applicable.
Third-party inspection results when separately arranged.
Packing list and proposed logistics documents.

The common balance condition requires payment before cargo or pickup documents are released. A delayed balance can affect scheduled pickup, ocean bookings, airfreight reservations, retail warehouse appointments, and delivery deadlines. Storage, rebooking, or other costs arising from delayed payment may need separate settlement. Established partners may request a different schedule, including milestone payments or approved credit terms. Such arrangements depend on financial review, order history, annual value, and risk control. They are not automatically available based only on company size or brand recognition.

CTA: Review Bulk Terms

Costs Beyond The Plush Unit Price

A responsible budget separates product manufacturing from one-time development, packaging preparation, testing, freight, financial charges, and later specification changes.

Sample Development

Sample charges can include paper pattern engineering, trial materials, embroidery or printing programs, sample labor, internal review, packaging mockups, electronic modules, and courier delivery.

The amount changes with product size, pattern-piece count, SKU quantity, clothing layers, accessories, and functionality.
Sample price should not be compared directly with bulk unit price.
Any possible sample-fee credit must appear in the quotation or PI.

Packaging Preparation

Retail packaging can generate dieline, tooling, print-proof, insert, tray, assembly, and mockup costs before bulk packaging begins.

Polybags and simple hangtags generally require fewer setup steps.
Blind boxes, window boxes, gift boxes, and display cartons involve more structural and print preparation.
Low packaging quantities can increase the per-unit share of tooling and setup.
Packaged dimensions also affect master-carton quantity and freight volume.

Third-Party Testing

Testing cost depends on the target market, intended age, product classification, materials, components, functions, SKU differences, required standards, laboratory scope, sample quantity, and possible retesting.

Third-party laboratory fees are normally borne by the ordering party unless otherwise agreed.
Pufumi can prepare samples, BOM details, labels, and supporting information.
No universal testing price can responsibly cover every plush structure and sales market.

Special Materials

Custom-dyed fabrics, specialty pile lengths, recycled materials, branded colors, custom hardware, electronic parts, molded accessories, and project-exclusive labels can require supplier deposits or minimum purchase quantities.

Material payment may be required before the general bulk balance.
Long-lead components can affect production dates.
A design change after procurement can leave committed material unusable.
Supplier conditions must be reviewed before approving the final commercial plan.

Freight And Duties

Shipping cost is calculated from the trade term, destination, route, carton dimensions, gross weight, CBM, delivery speed, warehouse requirements, and current freight conditions.

EXW, FOB, CIF, DAP, and DDP carry different cost and responsibility boundaries.
Import duties, taxes, destination charges, platform fees, storage, and appointment costs are not automatically included.
Final freight requires confirmed packing data rather than an early product estimate alone.

Financial Charges

Payment routes can generate sending-bank fees, intermediary-bank fees, receiving-bank fees, card charges, PayPal fees, platform fees, settlement costs, and exchange differences.

The party responsible for each charge should be identified before payment.
The amount reaching the receiving account must match the required net payment.
An unexplained short payment can hold sample release, material booking, production, or shipment until the difference is resolved.

Commercial Documents Required Before Payment

Commercial Item	Information To Confirm	Where It Should Appear
Product Specification	Product type, size, materials, filling, construction, embroidery, printing, accessories, functions, labels, and approved version	Quotation, PI, specification sheet, or contract
Quantity Structure	Total order quantity, number of SKUs, quantity per design, color, size, and packaging version	Quotation, PI, PO, and SKU list
Pricing	Unit price, development charges, packaging, tooling, testing, inspection, freight, and exclusions	Formal quotation and PI
Currency	USD, RMB, or another agreed currency, including exchange assumptions where relevant	Quotation, PI, and payment instruction
Payment Milestones	Sample payment, production deposit, balance timing, and any separately payable cost	PI, contract, or accepted PO
Trade Term	EXW, FOB, CIF, DAP, DDP, named port, named place, and the agreed logistics boundary	Quotation, PI, or contract
Production Timing	Schedule assumptions, material conditions, approval deadlines, deposit date, and expected production window	Project schedule, PI, or contract
Receiving Account	Account name, bank, currency, account number, SWIFT details, and payment reference	Official Pufumi PI or verified instruction
Quotation Validity	Normally 15–30 days unless another period is written, subject to material, exchange, and logistics changes	Formal quotation
Change Triggers	Quantity, size, fabric, color, packaging, function, market, testing, or delivery changes requiring review	Quotation notes, PI, change order, or contract

How Pufumi Protects Payment Instructions

Payment control relies on verified documents, matched commercial entities, independent confirmation of account changes, and complete transaction records throughout the order.

Pay Against Formal PI

Funds should be transferred only after receiving a formal Pufumi PI or another approved commercial document. The document should identify the product scope, order value, currency, payment milestone, receiving entity, and account information. Screenshots, copied chat messages, or old account details should not replace the current PI. Each payment should include the relevant PI number, project code, or agreed reference so finance records can be matched accurately.

Verify Account Changes

Any bank-account change must be treated as a high-risk event. Finance teams should verify the new instruction through info@pufumi.com and a second established channel, such as a known phone number, video meeting, or previously confirmed contact. Payment should pause until the change is authenticated. Pufumi does not recommend relying on a single urgent email, unfamiliar messaging account, forwarded PDF, or newly introduced contact for revised banking instructions.

Match Business Entities

The ordering entity, paying entity, invoiced entity, and contracting entity should normally align. When a parent company, subsidiary, purchasing agent, brand owner, distributor, finance company, or another related organization will make payment, the relationship must be explained in advance. Pufumi may request company information or written authorization before accepting funds. Payments from an unrelated or unverifiable source can be returned, delayed, or held for compliance review.

Retain Complete Records

A complete finance archive should contain the quotation, PI, PO, contract, remittance receipt, bank reference, invoice, deposit confirmation, balance confirmation, testing charges, freight charges, and any approved variation. Pufumi keeps payment records alongside project, sample, production, QC, packaging, and logistics files. Accurate records help resolve short payments, duplicate transfers, bank-fee differences, refund questions, project changes, and later repeat-order comparisons without relying on individual memory.

Payment Planning Across Different Order Structures

Payment conditions reflect development work, material commitments, SKU complexity, production value, delivery structure, cooperation history, and the financial risk of each program.

Order Structure	Common Payment Approach	Main Factors Requiring Review
Prototype-Only Project	Sample and applicable courier charges paid before development starts	Product complexity, sample stages, materials, embroidery, printing, electronic functions, packaging mockups, and delivery destination
New Bulk Order	Commonly 50% deposit after order confirmation and 50% balance before shipment	Total value, approved specifications, materials, packaging, production schedule, inspection method, and trade term
Multi-SKU Program	Deposit and balance structure supported by clearly defined SKU, material, packaging, and approval milestones	Quantity per SKU, shared components, custom colors, multiple packaging versions, testing coverage, and assortment control
Special-Material Order	Sample payment followed by material deposit or early component commitment where required	Custom dyeing, special pile, molded accessories, branded hardware, electronics, supplier MOQ, and material lead time
Split Shipment	Payment schedule confirmed against production completion and each agreed shipment release	Shipment quantities, freight bookings, storage, partial inspections, document release, and destination warehouse windows
Repeat Order	Standard terms or reviewed conditions based on updated quotation and cooperation history	Material availability, price changes, version comparison, packaging updates, previous payment performance, and delivery forecast
Annual Program	Contract-based milestones may be considered after commercial and credit review	Annual volume, forecasts, call-off schedules, material reservations, replenishment planning, financial approval, and risk allocation

Multi-SKU Payment Planning Case

The figures below illustrate how payment, development, production, inspection, and shipment can be organized for a substantial multi-SKU retail plush program.

Four-SKU Retail Plush Program With 8,000 Units

An anonymized planning example involved four 20 cm character plush SKUs with 2,000 units per design, producing a total order quantity of 8,000 pieces. Each item required embroidered facial features, character-specific clothing, a printed hangtag, an individual polybag, and master-carton packing at 40 pieces per carton. The planned order therefore required approximately 200 master cartons before final carton optimization.

The project began with paid prototype development. The initial sample benchmark was 12 working days after complete artwork, payment, and key material confirmation. One revision round required another 8 working days. A printed packaging mockup was prepared over approximately 10 working days in parallel with final commercial review. Courier time and internal brand-approval time were tracked separately because neither forms part of factory sample production.

After product and packaging approval, the PI recorded:

Four confirmed SKUs and 8,000 total pieces.
Product, hangtag, polybag, and carton requirements.
Sample and packaging-development charges already paid.
A 50% production deposit.
A 50% balance payable before shipment.
A project-based bulk production benchmark of 35 days after deposit, material availability, and file release.
Pre-shipment product, packaging, carton, and quantity checks.
Freight quoted separately after final carton dimensions, weight, and CBM were confirmed.

Receipt of the production deposit released fabric, embroidery thread, clothing materials, labels, packaging, and manufacturing capacity. Final inspection required approximately two working days after packing completion. The balance was then paid against the agreed pre-shipment evidence. Cargo and shipping documents were released after cleared funds were confirmed.

The figures demonstrate a milestone structure rather than a universal quotation. Product complexity, approval speed, material supply, quantity, packaging, testing, inspection, and delivery route can alter both timing and payment requirements.

Payment Frequently Asked Questions

What are Pufumi’s standard bulk-order payment terms?

New bulk orders commonly follow a 50% deposit after order confirmation and a 50% balance before shipment. The balance must normally clear before cargo, pickup authorization, or shipping documents are released. Different terms may be considered for established partners, annual programs, or qualified large orders after financial and risk review. Every approved condition must appear in the PI, contract, or accepted purchase order.

When must the sample fee be paid?

The sample fee is normally paid before formal prototype development begins. Pufumi releases pattern engineering, material preparation, embroidery or printing setup, sample sewing, packaging mockup work, or special-component development after the applicable scope and payment are confirmed. Sample timing begins when the required design information, payment, and critical materials are available, not when an initial inquiry is received.

Can the sample fee be deducted from a bulk order?

A partial sample-fee deduction may be available for qualifying bulk orders when the order value, timing, approved version, and other stated conditions are met. Deduction is not automatic. The amount, qualifying quantity, order deadline, and excluded charges must appear in the quotation or PI. Courier charges, packaging tooling, electronic modules, special materials, or newly requested revisions may remain separately payable.

What does the production deposit pay for?

The deposit releases material procurement, packaging preparation, supplier coordination, production scheduling, and approved project files. It may support fabrics, filling, embroidery thread, clothing, hardware, labels, electronic components, retail boxes, and factory capacity. Because many items are character-specific or brand-specific, cancellation or major changes after release can create committed costs that cannot easily be recovered or reassigned.

When is the final balance due?

The final balance is commonly due after bulk production, agreed inspection, and packing are completed but before shipment. Pufumi can provide the pre-shipment evidence defined in the commercial agreement, such as photographs, inspection information, packing data, carton details, or third-party reports. Production completion alone does not waive the balance requirement. Funds must clear before cargo or documents are released.

Which payment methods does Pufumi accept?

Available methods include T/T bank transfer, PayPal for sample payments, Alipay, WeChat Pay, Western Union, WorldFirst, credit card, approved third-party payment, Escrow, Alibaba platform payment, Wise, freight-forwarder collection, or another compliant method confirmed by both parties. Bulk orders preferentially use bank transfer. Availability, fees, currency, limits, and receiving details must be confirmed before each transaction.

Are testing and freight included in the product price?

Not automatically. Third-party testing, laboratory services, international freight, duties, taxes, destination charges, platform costs, warehouse fees, insurance, and special delivery documents are normally reviewed separately unless the quotation clearly includes them. Freight also depends on final carton size, gross weight, CBM, route, trade term, and destination requirements. The PI should identify included and excluded amounts before payment.

Who is responsible for bank and platform fees?

Responsibility for sending-bank fees, intermediary-bank fees, receiving-bank fees, PayPal fees, credit-card charges, platform fees, settlement costs, and exchange differences must be agreed before payment. The required net amount should reach the receiving account. When a fee deduction creates a short payment, Pufumi may hold sample release, material booking, production, or shipment until the difference is resolved.

Can payment terms change after the order is confirmed?

Terms may need revision when quantity, SKU count, dimensions, fabrics, packaging, target market, testing scope, electronic functions, delivery method, or schedule changes materially. Added development work or supplier commitments can also create a new payment milestone. Pufumi documents approved changes through a revised quotation, PI, purchase-order amendment, change order, or contract update before additional work proceeds.

How should new bank details be verified?

Pause payment and verify the new instruction through info@pufumi.com plus a second established channel. Confirm the receiving company name, currency, bank, account information, SWIFT details, PI number, and reason for the change. Do not rely on one urgent email, an unfamiliar messaging account, or an edited attachment. Pufumi’s official PI remains the primary reference for receiving-account information.

Review Your Plush Order Payment Plan

Send the core commercial information before requesting a final payment arrangement. Pufumi will review the development scope, order structure, materials, packaging, inspection, target market, logistics boundary, and delivery schedule before issuing a quotation or PI. More complete information produces a clearer cost breakdown and reduces later revisions caused by missing SKU, packaging, testing, or freight requirements.
Please include:

Company and brand name
Product type and artwork
Target size in centimeters or inches
Number of designs, colors, and sizes
Quantity per SKU and total quantity
Sample, packaging, and testing requirements
Sales market and intended age group
Preferred currency and payment method
Required trade term
Destination country, port, or warehouse
Target shipment or arrival date
Any internal finance or contract requirements

Do not submit card numbers, banking passwords, or confidential payment credentials through the inquiry form. Official receiving information will be issued through a verified quotation, PI, or contract after project review.