> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://novacont.gitbook.io/nova-docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://novacont.gitbook.io/nova-docs/user-guide/understanding-fees.md). # Understanding Fees NovaCont charges a minimal fee structure designed to be transparent and predictable. There are no hidden charges, no subscription costs, and no fees for simply using the platform. You only pay when a transaction is successfully completed.
### The Platform Fee NovaCont charges a **3% platform fee** on the agreed base price of every successfully completed agreement. This fee is deducted automatically by the smart contract at the moment of settlement. You never need to calculate or send it separately. **Important clarifications:** * The 3% is calculated on the **agreed base price only**. Not on the extra deposit if one was required * The fee is deducted from the **provider's payment**, not from the client's deposit separately * The fee is charged regardless of how the contract concludes. Whether through client approval, timeout, or dispute resolution * The fee is **non-refundable** under all circumstances {% hint style="info" %} **Example:** An agreement is created for $200. The provider delivers, the client approves. The smart contract automatically deducts $6 (3%) and releases $194 to the provider. The client's deposit of $200 is fully consumed. No surplus to return since this is a standard 1x deposit. {% endhint %} ### The Extra Deposit — Not a Fee The 1.25x deposit required for agreements below $200 is **not a fee**. It is a refundable trust mechanism. The 25% surplus is held by the smart contract during the agreement and returned to the client upon successful completion. It is never paid to NovaCont or to the provider. If you paid a 1.25x deposit and the agreement completes successfully, you will receive the 25% surplus back automatically at the moment of settlement. No action required on your part. ### Network Gas Fees Every interaction with the blockchain (creating a contract, accepting a proposal, submitting deliverables, approving work) requires a small fee paid directly to the network. This is called a gas fee. Because NovaCont Protocol is deployed on Base (an Ethereum Layer 2 network), these gas fees are extremely low (typically fractions of a cent) and transactions are confirmed almost instantly. * Gas fees are paid in ETH and go entirely to the blockchain network validators. NovaCont receives none of this * Gas fees are not fixed. They fluctuate based on network congestion at the time of your transaction * Gas fees are non-refundable regardless of the outcome of your transaction. * Always ensure your wallet holds a tiny amount of extra ETH to cover these nominal network costs. ### Dispute Fees If a dispute is opened, an additional fee is required from the party initiating the dispute to compensate the resolution process. Under the NovaJury decentralized system, the dispute fee is dynamically calculated as 5% of the agreed contract value (with a minimum of 1 USDT and a maximum cap of 25 USDT). > As NovaCont transitions to its decentralized jury system, the dispute fee structure will evolve. Both parties will be required to contribute to a shared fee pool, which is then distributed to the jurors who participate in the resolution. Full details on this process will be covered in the Jury System section of this documentation. | Action | Fee | Paid By | Goes To | | -------------------------- | ---------------------- | ------------------------------ | ------------------- | | Creating a contract | Gas Only | Client | Network | | Accepting a proposal | Gas Only | Provider | Network | | Submitting deliverables | Gas Only | Provider | Network | | Approving work | Gas Only | Client | Network | | Platform settlement fee | 3% of agreed price | Deducted from provider payment | NovaCont | | Extra deposit (below $200) | None - Refundable | Client | Returned to client | | Opening a dispute | Flat dispute fee + gas | Initiating party | Mediator / NovaCont |