FREELANCE CONTRACT MINIMUM CHECKLIST ===================================== SoloStack | solostack.madethis.app/resources/freelance-client-contract-red-flags Free download — no signup required. 30 items across 6 categories. Each item is tiered: [MUST] Required for baseline protection [NICE] Adds meaningful protection; negotiate for it [OPT] Useful in specific contexts; optional for most projects ----------------------------------------------------------------------- PART 1: THE 30-ITEM CHECKLIST ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ CATEGORY 1: IDENTITY & PARTIES (3 items) ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ [ ] 1. Full legal names or business names of both parties [MUST] — "John Smith d/b/a Smith Creative" or "Acme Corp" — not just first names. This matters for enforcement. [ ] 2. Contact information and notice address for both parties [MUST] — Where official notices (termination, dispute) must be sent. Email is acceptable if stated explicitly in the contract. [ ] 3. Contract effective date specified [MUST] — "This agreement is effective as of [date]." Without a start date, the contract's timeline and term are ambiguous. ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ CATEGORY 2: SCOPE OF WORK (6 items) ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ [ ] 4. All deliverables listed by name, format, and quantity [MUST] — Not "a website" or "some copy." List every deliverable: "5 blog posts, 800–1200 words each, delivered as Google Docs." [ ] 5. What is explicitly NOT included [MUST] — The exclusions list is as important as the inclusions list. "This agreement does not include SEO optimization, image sourcing, or social media promotion." [ ] 6. Revision rounds capped with a defined process [MUST] — Number of rounds, consolidated feedback requirement, timeframe for feedback, and cost for additional rounds. [ ] 7. Change order process defined [MUST] — How out-of-scope requests are handled: "Additional work not specified in this agreement requires a written change order approved by both parties before work begins." [ ] 8. Client responsibilities listed [NICE] — What Client must provide (brief, assets, access, approvals) and by when. Client delays that affect your timeline shift responsibility to them — but only if it's in the contract. [ ] 9. Project brief or written approval required before work [NICE] — "Work begins within 5 business days of receiving a completed project brief and signed agreement." ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ CATEGORY 3: PAYMENT (7 items) ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ [ ] 10. Total project fee stated [MUST] — The full amount, stated clearly. Not "to be determined" or "based on final scope." [ ] 11. Deposit structure defined (25–50% upfront standard) [MUST] — Amount, due date, and condition for work beginning. "Work begins on receipt of 50% deposit." [ ] 12. Payment schedule with specific due dates [MUST] — Not "upon completion" — specific dates or delivery triggers with calendar-date due dates. [ ] 13. Payment terms (Net-15 or shorter preferred) [MUST] — Net-15 is standard for most freelance work under $10K. Net-30 is acceptable. Net-60+ warrants negotiation. [ ] 14. Late payment fee clause [MUST] — "Invoices unpaid after the due date are subject to a late payment fee of 1.5% per month on the outstanding balance." [ ] 15. Work suspension clause for non-payment [NICE] — "Freelancer may suspend work on all active projects if any invoice remains unpaid more than 14 days past due. Work resumes on receipt of overdue payment." [ ] 16. Invoice delivery method specified [NICE] — Email format, frequency, and required information on each invoice (PO number, project reference, etc.) if the client has specific requirements. ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ CATEGORY 4: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (5 items) ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ [ ] 17. IP transfers on full payment (not before) [MUST] — "All intellectual property in the deliverables transfers to Client upon receipt of full payment. Until that time, Freelancer retains all rights." [ ] 18. Portfolio / display rights reserved [MUST] — "Freelancer retains the right to display completed work in portfolio and marketing materials." [ ] 19. Background IP excluded from transfer [MUST] — "Freelancer's pre-existing intellectual property — tools, frameworks, methodologies, and code libraries — remains Freelancer's property. Client receives a non-exclusive license for use in connection with this project only." [ ] 20. Unused concepts remain with Freelancer [NICE] — "Preliminary work, unused concepts, and drafts not incorporated into the final deliverables remain Freelancer's sole intellectual property." [ ] 21. Confidentiality clause (if applicable) [OPT] — Mutual NDA language if you'll have access to Client's non-public business information. Specify what's confidential, what's excluded, and how long it lasts. ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ CATEGORY 5: TERMINATION & KILL FEE (5 items) ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ [ ] 22. Kill fee for client-initiated termination [MUST] — "If Client terminates after kickoff: 50% of remaining balance plus all work completed to date." [ ] 23. Termination notice period (14–30 days standard) [MUST] — "Either party may terminate with 14 days written notice. Kill fee applies to client-initiated termination." [ ] 24. Freelancer termination rights defined [MUST] — Under what conditions you can exit: non-payment, hostile work environment, material breach by client. [ ] 25. Work completed on termination — who owns it? [NICE] — "On client-initiated termination, work completed to date transfers to Client on receipt of payment for work completed. Kill fee does not transfer additional IP." [ ] 26. No automatic renewal [NICE] — "This agreement does not automatically renew. Any continuation requires written agreement from both parties." ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ CATEGORY 6: DISPUTES & LIABILITY (4 items) ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ [ ] 27. Liability cap tied to contract value [MUST] — "Freelancer's total liability shall not exceed the total fees paid in the 12 months preceding the claim. Neither party is liable for indirect or consequential damages." [ ] 28. Dispute resolution in your jurisdiction [MUST] — Your state/country. Specify governing law and venue explicitly. [ ] 29. Good-faith negotiation required before legal action [NICE] — "Any dispute shall first be subject to 30 days of good-faith negotiation. If unresolved, either party may pursue arbitration or court action." [ ] 30. Mutual indemnification (not one-sided) [MUST] — "Each party indemnifies the other for claims arising from their own negligence or breach — not the other party's acts or omissions." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- PART 2: SCORING GUIDE ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Count the number of MUST items you checked: MUST ITEMS CHECKED SCORE VERDICT ────────────────── ──────── ───────────────────────────────────── 19–19 (all must) Protected You have baseline protection on every critical dimension. Review NICE items for additional coverage. 14–18 Adequate You're covered on most dimensions but have gaps. Identify unchecked MUST items and address before signing. Under 14 Vulnerable Multiple unprotected dimensions. Do not sign until MUST items are added. If client refuses additions, consider walking away. NICE ITEMS (11 total): Adding 8+ NICE items = Strongly protected contract Adding 4–7 NICE items = Well-protected contract Adding 0–3 NICE items = Baseline only OPTIONAL ITEMS (1 total): Add OPT items when the specific scenario applies (confidential business information, complex multi-party arrangements, etc.). ----------------------------------------------------------------------- PART 3: ONE-PAGE VERSION FOR PRE-SIGNING REVIEW ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Use this condensed version for a quick pass before signing any contract. Run through it in under 5 minutes. QUICK CHECK — 10 NON-NEGOTIABLES Before you sign, confirm these 10 items exist in the contract: [ ] Payment amount is stated clearly (not "TBD" or "upon completion") [ ] There is a deposit (at least 25% due before work begins) [ ] Payment terms are Net-30 or shorter [ ] Revision rounds are capped (specific number stated) [ ] A kill fee exists for client-initiated termination [ ] IP transfers only on full payment (not on delivery) [ ] Your portfolio rights are reserved [ ] Your pre-existing tools/frameworks are excluded from IP transfer [ ] Liability is capped (tied to contract value or a specific amount) [ ] Dispute resolution is in your jurisdiction SCORING: 10/10 = Safe to sign (still review full contract) 8–9 = One or two asks before signing 6–7 = Several modifications needed Under 6 = Do not sign as written; request redline PRE-SIGNING QUESTIONS TO ASK THE CLIENT: 1. "Is this your standard contract, or was it written for this project?" (Standard = may be negotiable; custom = tells you something) 2. "Is there a revision or approval process defined anywhere I missed?" (If no: add it before signing) 3. "Who handles payment — you, or finance?" (Finance = ask about their invoice processing timeline) 4. "Have you worked with freelancers on contracts like this before?" (First-timer = educate; experienced = proceed normally) 5. "Is any clause non-negotiable from your end?" (Better to know now than after you've spent time on a redline) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Want the full red flag checklist with severity ratings and fix language? Download: freelance-contract-red-flags-checklist.txt (free, no signup) Want word-for-word negotiation scripts for every red flag? Download: freelance-contract-negotiation-scripts.txt (free, no signup) All downloads at: solostack.madethis.app/resources/freelance-client-contract-red-flags Want done-for-you contract templates? SoloStack membership — $19/month. solostack.madethis.app/products -----------------------------------------------------------------------