FREELANCE CONTRACT STARTER KIT ================================ SoloStack — solostack.madethis.app Free to use. No attribution required. Replace all [BRACKETED PLACEHOLDERS] with your actual information before sending. ================================================================================ FREELANCE SERVICES AGREEMENT ================================================================================ This Freelance Services Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into as of [DATE] by and between: Freelancer: [YOUR FULL NAME or BUSINESS NAME] Address: [YOUR ADDRESS] Email: [YOUR EMAIL] ("Freelancer") Client: [CLIENT FULL NAME or BUSINESS NAME] Address: [CLIENT ADDRESS] Email: [CLIENT EMAIL] ("Client") The parties agree as follows: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. SCOPE OF WORK [What this clause does: Defines exactly what you will deliver. Specifics beat adjectives — "5-page website" not "a website." This is your protection against scope creep.] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Freelancer agrees to provide the following services ("Services") as described in Appendix A (Scope of Work), attached hereto and incorporated by reference. Any work not described in Appendix A is outside the scope of this Agreement and subject to a separate Change Order (see Appendix B) and additional fees. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. TIMELINE AND MILESTONES [What this clause does: Sets deadlines and ties milestones to payment. Both parties are accountable — including the client. If the client is late with approvals, the deadline adjusts.] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Project Start Date: [DATE] Final Delivery Date: [DATE] Milestones and associated payments: Milestone 1: [DELIVERABLE DESCRIPTION] — due [DATE] — payment: $[AMOUNT] Milestone 2: [DELIVERABLE DESCRIPTION] — due [DATE] — payment: $[AMOUNT] Final: [DELIVERABLE DESCRIPTION] — due [DATE] — payment: $[AMOUNT] Deadlines are contingent on Client providing required materials, approvals, and feedback within [3] business days of each request. Client delays that exceed [5] business days will push the project timeline accordingly. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. REVISION POLICY [What this clause does: Limits the number of rounds of changes included in the fee. Without this, "just one more change" can go on forever. Be specific about what counts as a revision.] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The fee includes up to [2] rounds of revisions per deliverable. A "revision round" means one consolidated list of changes submitted within [7] days of delivery. Additional revision rounds are billed at $[HOURLY RATE]/hour, invoiced upon completion. Revisions that constitute a change in project scope (new features, different direction, changed requirements) are subject to a Change Order (Appendix B) and additional fees. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. KILL FEE (CANCELLATION) [What this clause does: Protects you if the client cancels mid-project. Without this, a client can pull out after weeks of your work and owe you nothing. 25–50% of the remaining balance is standard.] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If Client cancels this Agreement after work has commenced, the following applies: a) All work completed to the cancellation date is invoiced at Freelancer's hourly rate of $[HOURLY RATE]/hour, or at a pro-rated portion of the project fee based on work completed, whichever is greater. b) A kill fee equal to [25]% of the remaining unpaid project balance is due immediately upon cancellation. c) All work product created to date will be delivered to Client upon receipt of full payment for work completed and the kill fee. Cancellation must be provided in writing. Verbal cancellations are not effective until confirmed in writing by both parties. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5. PAYMENT TERMS [What this clause does: Establishes exactly how much is owed, when, and how to pay. Ambiguity here leads to late payments. Specify method, due date, and what happens to deliverables if payment isn't received.] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Project Fee: $[TOTAL AMOUNT] Payment schedule: Deposit (50%): $[AMOUNT] — due upon signing, before work begins Final Payment: $[AMOUNT] — due upon [delivery of final files / project completion / final milestone] Payment method: [Bank transfer / PayPal / Stripe / Check — specify] Make payments to: [YOUR PAYMENT DETAILS] Work will not begin until the deposit is received. Final deliverables will not be released until the final payment is received in full. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6. LATE PAYMENT [What this clause does: Creates a financial consequence for late payment and gives you the right to stop work. Without this clause, clients know there's no penalty for paying late. 1.5%/month (18% annually) is standard.] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Invoices are due within [14] days of the invoice date. Invoices unpaid after [30] days accrue interest at 1.5% per month (18% per annum) on the outstanding balance. If payment is more than [30] days overdue, Freelancer may suspend all work until the account is brought current. Client agrees to pay all reasonable costs of collection, including attorney's fees, if collection proceedings are necessary. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND OWNERSHIP [What this clause does: Specifies who owns the work — and when ownership transfers. By tying IP transfer to payment, you retain leverage until the client pays in full. This is one of the most important clauses in any freelance contract.] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Upon receipt of full payment, Freelancer assigns to Client all intellectual property rights in the final deliverables, including all copyrights. Until full payment is received, Freelancer retains all rights in the work product, including all drafts and intermediate work. Freelancer retains the right to display the work in their portfolio and promotional materials unless Client requests otherwise in writing within [30] days of final delivery. The following are expressly excluded from this assignment and remain Freelancer's property: pre-existing tools, templates, frameworks, code libraries, and background IP used in the creation of the deliverables. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8. NON-DISCLOSURE [What this clause does: Keeps confidential business information private. If you'll see strategy docs, financials, customer data, or anything the client wouldn't want shared publicly, you both need this protection. "Mutual" means it covers both parties.] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Each party agrees to keep confidential all non-public information received from the other party in connection with this Agreement ("Confidential Information"), and to use such information only for the purpose of performing under this Agreement. Confidential Information does not include information that: (a) is or becomes publicly available through no fault of the receiving party; (b) was known to the receiving party prior to disclosure; or (c) is required to be disclosed by law. This obligation survives termination of this Agreement for [2] years. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9. NON-SOLICITATION [What this clause does: Prevents the client from hiring your subcontractors directly, bypassing you. If you use subcontractors, this is important. Typical duration: 12–24 months after project end.] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- During the term of this Agreement and for [12] months following its termination, Client agrees not to directly hire, engage, or contract with any subcontractors or team members introduced to Client by Freelancer in connection with this Agreement, without Freelancer's prior written consent. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR STATUS [What this clause does: Clarifies that you are not an employee. This matters for taxes, benefits, and legal liability. Required in virtually every freelance agreement.] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Freelancer is an independent contractor, not an employee of Client. Freelancer is responsible for all taxes, insurance, and other obligations arising from Freelancer's self-employed status. Nothing in this Agreement creates an employer-employee relationship, partnership, or joint venture. Freelancer retains the right to perform services for other clients during the term of this Agreement, provided such work does not conflict with obligations under this Agreement. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11. TERMINATION [What this clause does: Establishes how either party can end the agreement legitimately, and what's owed. Clear termination terms prevent disputes about notice periods and outstanding work.] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Either party may terminate this Agreement with [14] days written notice. Upon termination: a) Freelancer will deliver all work completed to date. b) Client will pay for all work completed to the termination date. c) Kill fee provisions (Section 4) apply if Client terminates without cause. Freelancer may terminate immediately if Client: (a) fails to pay an invoice within [30] days; (b) materially breaches this Agreement; or (c) engages in conduct that makes continued performance impracticable. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12. GOVERNING LAW AND DISPUTES [What this clause does: Specifies which state's laws govern disputes. Important if you and the client are in different states. Choose your own state — you should be the one who knows the local courts.] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of [YOUR STATE], without regard to conflict of law principles. The parties agree to attempt to resolve any dispute through good-faith negotiation. If negotiation fails, disputes will be resolved by [binding arbitration in [YOUR CITY] / mediation before litigation / litigation in [YOUR COUNTY] County, [YOUR STATE]] — [choose one and delete the others]. The prevailing party in any dispute is entitled to recover reasonable attorney's fees and costs. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GENERAL PROVISIONS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Entire Agreement: This Agreement, including all Appendices, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes all prior negotiations, representations, or agreements. Amendment: This Agreement may only be amended by written consent of both parties. Severability: If any provision is found unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement continues in full force and effect. Force Majeure: Neither party is liable for delays caused by circumstances beyond their reasonable control. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SIGNATURE BLOCK -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By signing below, the parties agree to the terms of this Agreement. FREELANCER Signature: _________________________________ Date: _______________ Printed Name: ______________________________ Business/Trade Name: _______________________ CLIENT Signature: _________________________________ Date: _______________ Printed Name: ______________________________ Title: _____________________________________ Company: __________________________________ ================================================================================ APPENDIX A — SCOPE OF WORK ================================================================================ [Attach a detailed description of all deliverables. Be specific — not "a website" but "a 5-page WordPress website: Home, About, Services, Portfolio, Contact — with responsive mobile design, SEO meta titles, and contact form."] PROJECT: [PROJECT NAME] CLIENT: [CLIENT NAME] DATE: [DATE] DELIVERABLES: 1. [Deliverable 1 — description, format, quantity] 2. [Deliverable 2 — description, format, quantity] 3. [Deliverable 3 — description, format, quantity] EXPLICITLY NOT INCLUDED: - [List anything the client might assume is included but isn't] - [e.g., "Copywriting for all pages (client to provide)"] - [e.g., "Ongoing maintenance after launch"] - [e.g., "Revisions beyond 2 rounds"] CLIENT RESPONSIBILITIES: - [What the client must provide: brand assets, content, approvals, logins] - [Timeline for client responses: e.g., "Feedback within 3 business days"] ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA: [How will you both know the work is done? What standards must it meet?] ================================================================================ APPENDIX B — CHANGE ORDER FORM ================================================================================ [Use this any time the client requests work outside the original Scope of Work. Get this signed before doing any additional work.] CHANGE ORDER #[NUMBER] Project: [PROJECT NAME] Date: [DATE] Original Contract Date: [DATE] DESCRIPTION OF CHANGE: [Describe the additional work requested — be specific] REASON FOR CHANGE: [ ] Client request [ ] Scope clarification [ ] Unforeseen circumstance IMPACT ON ORIGINAL SCOPE: Original deliverables affected: [List any] Changes to timeline: [+ X days / none] COST OF CHANGE: Additional fee: $[AMOUNT] Billing method: [ ] Flat fee [ ] Hourly at $[RATE]/hour (estimated [X] hours) Payment terms: [Due upon completion / Added to next invoice / etc.] By signing this Change Order, both parties agree the original Agreement is amended to include this additional work and its associated costs. FREELANCER SIGNATURE: ______________________________ Date: _____________ CLIENT SIGNATURE: __________________________________ Date: _____________ ================================================================================ APPENDIX C — INVOICE TEMPLATE ================================================================================ INVOICE From: [YOUR NAME / BUSINESS NAME] [YOUR ADDRESS] [YOUR EMAIL] [YOUR PHONE] To: [CLIENT NAME / BUSINESS NAME] [CLIENT ADDRESS] [CLIENT EMAIL] Invoice Number: [INV-001] Invoice Date: [DATE] Due Date: [DATE — typically 14 or 30 days from invoice date] Project: [PROJECT NAME] SERVICES RENDERED: ------------------------------------------------------ Description Amount ------------------------------------------------------ [Milestone 1 / Deposit] $[AMOUNT] [Milestone 2] $[AMOUNT] [Change Order #1] $[AMOUNT] ------------------------------------------------------ SUBTOTAL: $[AMOUNT] Tax ([X]% if applicable): $[AMOUNT] ------------------------------------------------------ TOTAL DUE: $[AMOUNT] ------------------------------------------------------ PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS: [Bank transfer to: Bank, Account #, Routing #] [PayPal: youremail@example.com] [Other: specify method and details] NOTES: [Any relevant notes, e.g., "Final payment — thank you for the project!"] [Late payment: 1.5% monthly interest accrues after due date] Thank you for your business. ================================================================================ END OF FREELANCE CONTRACT STARTER KIT SoloStack — Free Business Templates for Freelancers More templates at: solostack.madethis.app ================================================================================