---
title: "Configure a retainer contract"
description: "To configure a retainer contract, perform the following steps:"
lang: en
languages:
  en: https://docs.vismasoftware.no/visma-net-erp/help/customer-ledger/manage-contracts/contract-examples/retainer-contracts/configure-a-retainer-contract/index.md
lastmod: 2026-02-19
---

> Documentation index: https://docs.vismasoftware.no/visma-net-erp/help/customer-ledger/manage-contracts/contract-examples/retainer-contracts/llms.txt


# Configure a retainer contract

Last modified February 19, 2026

> To configure a retainer contract, perform the following steps:


1. By using the [Non-stock items (IN202000)](https://docs.vismasoftware.no/visma-net-erp/help/inventory/inventory-windows/non-stock-items-in202000/index.md) window, configure a non-stock item. In the **Sales account** field on the **General ledger accounts** tab, we recommend that you specify a designated liability account to post related transactions instead of an income one.
1. In the [Contract items (CT201000)](https://docs.vismasoftware.no/visma-net-erp/help/customer-ledger/customer-ledger-windows/contract-items-ct201000/index.md) window, create a deposit contract item. For details, see: [Create a deposit contract item](https://docs.vismasoftware.no/visma-net-erp/help/customer-ledger/manage-contracts/contract-examples/retainer-contracts/create-a-deposit-contract-item/index.md).
1. Also in the [Contract items (CT201000)](https://docs.vismasoftware.no/visma-net-erp/help/customer-ledger/customer-ledger-windows/contract-items-ct201000/index.md) window, create a service contract item that is provided recurrently and assign the deposit contract item to it.
1. By using the [Contract templates (CT202000)](https://docs.vismasoftware.no/visma-net-erp/help/customer-ledger/customer-ledger-windows/contract-templates-ct202000/index.md) window, create a contract template at your discretion. You do not add the deposit contract item to a contract template directly; you instead add the service contract item to the contract template, and the deposit contract item assigned to it is added automatically. For details, see: [Configure a contract template](https://docs.vismasoftware.no/visma-net-erp/help/customer-ledger/manage-contracts/prior-configuration/configure-a-contract-template/index.md).
1. Initiate the contract in the way that suits your needs. The invoice that includes the prepayment sum is issued and you can proceed with contract fulfilment. For details, see: [About contract setup and activation](https://docs.vismasoftware.no/visma-net-erp/help/customer-ledger/manage-contracts/contract-setup-and-activation/about-contract-setup-and-activation/index.md).
1. Enter contract usage. For details, see: [About contract usage recording](https://docs.vismasoftware.no/visma-net-erp/help/customer-ledger/manage-contracts/contract-usage-recording/about-contract-usage-recording/index.md).
1. Invoice the contract according to its schedule. For details, see: [About contract invoicing](https://docs.vismasoftware.no/visma-net-erp/help/customer-ledger/manage-contracts/contract-invoicing/about-contract-invoicing/index.md).

<h2>Related pages</h2><h3>Concepts</h3>
<ul><li><a href="/visma-net-erp/help/customer-ledger/manage-contracts/manage-contracts-overview/index.md">Manage contracts - overview</a></li><li><a href="/visma-net-erp/help/customer-ledger/manage-contracts/contract-examples/retainer-contracts/about-retainer-contracts/index.md">About retainer contracts</a></li><li><a href="/visma-net-erp/help/customer-ledger/manage-contracts/contract-examples/contract-examples-overview/index.md">Contract examples - overview</a></li>
</ul><h3>Tasks</h3>
<ul><li><a href="/visma-net-erp/help/customer-ledger/manage-contracts/contract-examples/usage-based-contracts/set-up-per-activity-invoicing/index.md">Set up per-activity invoicing</a></li><li><a href="/visma-net-erp/help/customer-ledger/manage-contracts/contract-examples/usage-based-contracts/set-up-per-case-invoicing/index.md">Set up per-case invoicing</a></li><li><a href="/visma-net-erp/help/customer-ledger/manage-contracts/contract-examples/usage-based-contracts/set-up-invoicing-by-the-number-of-cases/index.md">Set up invoicing by the number of cases</a></li><li><a href="/visma-net-erp/help/customer-ledger/manage-contracts/prior-configuration/configure-a-contract-item/index.md">Configure a contract item</a></li><li><a href="/visma-net-erp/help/customer-ledger/manage-contracts/contract-examples/retainer-contracts/create-a-deposit-contract-item/index.md">Create a deposit contract item</a></li>
</ul><h3>Windows</h3>
<ul><li><a href="/visma-net-erp/help/customer-ledger/customer-ledger-windows/contract-items-ct201000/index.md">Contract items (CT201000)</a></li><li><a href="/visma-net-erp/help/inventory/inventory-windows/non-stock-items-in202000/index.md">Non-stock items (IN202000)</a></li><li><a href="/visma-net-erp/help/customer-ledger/customer-ledger-windows/contract-usage-ct303000/index.md">Contract usage (CT303000)</a></li>
</ul>


---

[View this page](https://docs.vismasoftware.no/visma-net-erp/help/customer-ledger/manage-contracts/contract-examples/retainer-contracts/configure-a-retainer-contract/)