# Questions developers ask

> Answers for developers: who can join, fees, VAT, contracts, refunds and chargebacks, milestone sizes and when you get paid.

Canonical: https://erdibuilds.app/developers/faq
Last updated: 2026-11-08 (November 8, 2026)

## Frequently asked questions

### Who can join as a developer?

Developers based in the EU can join today. Small businesses that don't charge VAT can join from Germany for now. We're opening to more countries step by step. Join the waitlist and we'll email you when your country opens.

### Do I need a registered business?

Yes. You join as a registered business, and sole traders count too.

### Is it free to apply?

Yes. Joining and applying are free, with no paid bids. You pay 8 percent (at least 5) of each milestone plus a payment processing fee as listed in the fee schedule in our terms, only when you get paid. Both fees are net: in Germany and without a confirmed EU VAT ID, 19 percent German VAT comes on top, with a confirmed VAT ID from another EU country no VAT is added (reverse charge).

### Who is the contract with?

Directly with your client. ErdiBuilds brings you together and handles the payment for you. You are the seller of your work.

### Do I need a VAT number?

Not always. If you charge VAT, add your VAT ID and we confirm it with the German Federal Central Tax Office. As a German small business under section 19 UStG you can work without one. Invoices are created for you either way.

### What happens on refunds and chargebacks?

If you and your client agree to cancel a milestone, the client gets everything back, we return our full 8 percent and you only carry the payment processing fee. If we decide a dispute with a refund, we keep 5 percent of the refunded amount (at least €50 or $50, in the currency of the project) as a handling fee and return the rest. Decided for you, the normal 8 percent applies. If a chargeback is lost, you bear the amount plus the Stripe chargeback fee and we keep 5 percent (at least €50 or $50, in the currency of the project). We collect the evidence from your delivery, the approval and the messages for you.

### How large can a milestone be?

From 50 to 2,000 and up to 8 weeks per milestone. Need longer? Split it into two milestones. Stripe holds each payment for at most 90 days, so shorter milestones keep payouts flowing.

### When do I get paid?

After the client approves a milestone, your payout is sent after a short holding period of 5 days (10 days for your first payout). On your first three paid milestones, 25 percent is held for 90 days as a safety reserve.

## Related

- [How payouts work](https://erdibuilds.app/developers/how-payouts-work)
- [Getting verified](https://erdibuilds.app/developers/verification)
- [Questions clients ask](https://erdibuilds.app/faq)