Freelance Contract Template: Protect Yourself & Get Paid

Why Every Freelancer Needs a Contract

A contract protects both you and your client. It prevents misunderstandings, scope creep, and non-payment. Never start work without a signed contract—no matter how much you trust the client.

Essential Elements of a Freelance Contract

Parties: Your name/business and client name/business
Scope of work: Exactly what you'll deliver
Timeline: Start date, milestones, completion date
Payment terms: Amount, schedule, method
Revisions: How many rounds included
Ownership: Who owns the work
Confidentiality: NDA if needed
Termination: How either party can end agreement
Liability: Limits on your liability
Signatures: Both parties must sign

Free Freelance Contract Template

FREELANCE SERVICES AGREEMENT

This Freelance Services Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into as of [DATE] ("Effective Date") by and between:

FREELANCER:
[Your Name/Business Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Email]
[Your Phone]
("Freelancer")

AND

CLIENT:
[Client Name/Business Name]
[Client Address]
[Client Email]
[Client Phone]
("Client")

1. SCOPE OF WORK

Freelancer agrees to provide the following services ("Services"):

[Detailed description of service 1]

[Detailed description of service 2]

[Detailed description of service 3]

Deliverables:

[Specific deliverable 1]

[Specific deliverable 2]

[Specific deliverable 3]

2. PROJECT TIMELINE

Start Date: [DATE]
Completion Date: [DATE]

Milestones:

[Milestone 1] - [DATE]

[Milestone 2] - [DATE]

[Final Delivery] - [DATE]

3. COMPENSATION

Total Project Fee: $[AMOUNT]

Payment Schedule:

Deposit (50%): $[AMOUNT] - Due upon signing

Final Payment (50%): $[AMOUNT] - Due upon completion

Payment Method: [Bank transfer/PayPal/Check]

Late Payments: Payments not received within 7 days of due date will incur a late fee of 1.5% per month (18% annually).

4. REVISIONS

This Agreement includes [NUMBER] rounds of revisions. Additional revisions will be billed at $[AMOUNT] per hour.

5. CLIENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Client agrees to:

Provide all necessary materials and information by [DATE]

Respond to requests for feedback within [NUMBER] business days

Provide timely approval at each milestone

Make payments according to the schedule in Section 3

6. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Upon receipt of full payment, Client will own all rights to the final deliverables. Freelancer retains the right to display the work in their portfolio and for self-promotion purposes.

7. CONFIDENTIALITY

Both parties agree to keep confidential any proprietary information shared during this project.

8. TERMINATION

Either party may terminate this Agreement with 7 days written notice. Upon termination:

Client will pay for all work completed to date

Freelancer will deliver all work completed

Deposit is non-refundable

9. LIABILITY

Freelancer's total liability under this Agreement shall not exceed the total project fee.

10. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR

Freelancer is an independent contractor, not an employee. Freelancer is responsible for all taxes.

11. GOVERNING LAW

This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of [STATE/COUNTRY].

12. ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes all prior agreements.

SIGNATURES:

FREELANCER:
Signature: _______________________
Name: [Your Name]
Date: _______________________

CLIENT:
Signature: _______________________
Name: [Client Name]
Date: _______________________

How to Customize the Template

Scope of Work Section

Be extremely specific. Instead of "Website design," write:

"Design and deliver a 5-page responsive website including: Home, About, Services, Portfolio, and Contact pages. Includes up to 3 design concepts, 2 rounds of revisions, and mobile-responsive design. Does NOT include: copywriting, photography, logo design, or ongoing maintenance."

Payment Terms Section

Choose the structure that works for you:

50/50: 50% deposit, 50% on completion
33/33/34: Three payments at milestones
100% upfront: For small projects or risky clients
Monthly: For retainer agreements

Revision Policy

Clearly define what counts as a revision:

"Revisions include minor changes to existing work (color adjustments, text edits, layout tweaks). Major changes that alter the scope (new pages, different design direction, additional features) will be quoted as separate change orders."

Contract Clauses to Add

Kill Fee Clause

If client cancels mid-project:

"If Client terminates this Agreement before completion, Client agrees to pay a kill fee of 50% of the remaining project balance, plus payment for all work completed to date."

Rush Fee Clause

For tight deadlines:

"Projects requiring completion in less than [X] days will incur a rush fee of 25-50% of the project total."

Expenses Clause

If you'll incur reimbursable costs:

"Client agrees to reimburse Freelancer for pre-approved expenses including stock photos, fonts, software licenses, and travel. Expenses over $100 require prior written approval."

Portfolio Rights Clause

Ensure you can show your work:

"Freelancer retains the right to display completed work in portfolio, website, and marketing materials. If Client requires confidentiality, a 25% confidentiality fee will be added to the project total."

Warranty Clause

Limit your ongoing obligations:

"Freelancer warrants that work will be free from defects for 30 days after delivery. After 30 days, any changes or fixes will be billed at Freelancer's standard hourly rate."

Digital Signatures

Use electronic signature tools for faster turnaround:

DocuSign: Industry standard, legally binding
HelloSign: User-friendly, affordable
PandaDoc: Includes templates and tracking
Adobe Sign: Professional, integrates with Adobe

When to Use Different Contract Types

Project-Based Contract

Use for: One-time projects with defined scope
Example: Logo design, website build, video production

Retainer Agreement

Use for: Ongoing monthly services
Example: Social media management, ongoing consulting

Statement of Work (SOW)

Use for: Large projects with multiple phases
Example: Enterprise software development, complex marketing campaigns

Master Service Agreement (MSA)

Use for: Long-term relationships with multiple projects
Example: Agency-client relationship with ongoing projects

Red Flags in Client Contracts

Watch out for these problematic clauses:

Work-for-hire without premium pay: You lose all rights
Unlimited revisions: Recipe for scope creep
Payment upon client satisfaction: Too subjective
Non-compete clauses: May prevent you from working
Indemnification: You take on all legal risk
Net 90 or longer: Too long to wait for payment

Contract Best Practices

Always use a contract: Even for small projects
Get it signed before starting: No exceptions
Keep it simple: Plain language, not legalese
Be specific: Vague terms lead to disputes
Include payment terms: When and how you'll be paid
Define scope clearly: What's included and excluded
Set boundaries: Communication hours, response times
Protect yourself: Liability limits, termination rights
Keep copies: Store signed contracts securely
Review annually: Update your template as you learn

What to Do If Client Won't Sign

If a client refuses to sign a contract:

Explain the benefits: It protects both parties
Offer to discuss concerns: Maybe they have questions
Simplify if needed: Maybe it's too complex
Stand firm: No contract = no work
Walk away if necessary: Red flag for bigger problems

Legal Considerations

Consult a lawyer: Have an attorney review your template
State-specific laws: Some clauses vary by location
International clients: Consider jurisdiction carefully
Insurance: Consider professional liability insurance
Business entity: LLC or corporation provides protection

Conclusion

A solid contract is your best protection as a freelancer. It prevents misunderstandings, ensures you get paid, and provides legal recourse if things go wrong. Never start work without one. Once you have a signed contract, create professional invoices with InvoiceKit to ensure smooth payment!