FREELANCE CONTRACT CHECKLIST — 15 MUST-HAVE CLAUSES ==================================================== Prepared by SoloStack | solostack.madethis.app Free to use and adapt for your freelance business. Before you send any contract to a client, run through this 15-point checklist. Every clause below protects you from the most common (and costly) freelance disputes. If any item is missing from your contract, add it. --------------------------------------------------------------------- SECTION 1 — PARTIES & PROJECT BASICS --------------------------------------------------------------------- [ ] 1. Full legal names of both parties Include your legal name (or business name if you're an LLC/sole prop) and the client's full legal name. Never just "Client" with no details. Example: "This agreement is between Jane Smith Consulting LLC ('Freelancer') and Acme Corp, a Delaware corporation ('Client')." [ ] 2. Effective date The date the contract becomes binding. Usually the date both parties sign. Important for calculating payment deadlines and project timelines. [ ] 3. Contact information for both parties Full address, email, and phone for both parties. Required if you ever need to send a formal demand letter or pursue legal action. --------------------------------------------------------------------- SECTION 2 — SCOPE OF WORK --------------------------------------------------------------------- [ ] 4. Detailed scope of work / deliverables Be specific. List every deliverable, format, and quantity. Vague scope is the #1 cause of scope creep. Instead of "website design," write: "5-page website (Home, About, Services, Portfolio, Contact), desktop and mobile-responsive, delivered as Figma file plus handoff notes." [ ] 5. What is NOT included (exclusions) Explicitly state what falls outside the project. This is just as important as what's included. Common exclusions: copywriting, photography, printing, third-party tool fees, additional revisions, SEO copywriting, etc. [ ] 6. Project timeline and milestones Start date, key milestone dates, and final delivery date. Include a clause that delays caused by the client (late feedback, missing assets) extend the timeline accordingly — clients cause most delays. --------------------------------------------------------------------- SECTION 3 — PAYMENT --------------------------------------------------------------------- [ ] 7. Payment amount and schedule Total fee + exactly when each payment is due. Most common structure: 50% upfront deposit before work begins, 50% on delivery. Never start work without a deposit — it proves commitment and covers your time if the project is cancelled. [ ] 8. Accepted payment methods List exactly how you accept payment (bank transfer, Stripe, PayPal, check, etc.) and who covers processing fees. Specify the currency (USD, GBP, etc.). [ ] 9. Late payment penalties Specify the interest or fee that applies to overdue invoices. Common: 1.5–2% per month (18–24% per year) on the unpaid balance. Also include when work pauses for non-payment (usually 7–14 days past due). Example: "Invoices unpaid after 30 days accrue interest at 1.5% per month. Freelancer may pause work until outstanding invoices are settled." --------------------------------------------------------------------- SECTION 4 — REVISIONS & CHANGES --------------------------------------------------------------------- [ ] 10. Revision policy State the number of revision rounds included and what counts as a revision vs. a new request. Without this clause, "one more small change" never ends. Example: "This project includes 2 rounds of revisions. Additional rounds are billed at $[X]/hour. Revisions must be submitted within 7 days of delivery." [ ] 11. Kill fee / cancellation clause What happens if the client cancels mid-project? A kill fee protects you. Common structure: work completed to date is invoiced at your hourly rate, with a minimum kill fee (e.g., 25–50% of the remaining contract value). Example: "If Client cancels after work has begun, Client owes Freelancer for all work completed to date plus a 25% cancellation fee on the remaining project balance." --------------------------------------------------------------------- SECTION 5 — INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY & CONFIDENTIALITY --------------------------------------------------------------------- [ ] 12. Intellectual property / copyright ownership When does the client own the work? Most freelancers transfer copyright only after full payment. Until then, you own it. State this clearly. Example: "All intellectual property rights in the deliverables transfer to Client upon receipt of full payment. Until full payment is received, Freelancer retains all rights." [ ] 13. Portfolio / credit rights Your right to use the work in your portfolio and marketing materials. Include this unless you're signing an NDA that explicitly prohibits it. Example: "Freelancer reserves the right to display and link to the completed work as part of their portfolio, unless Client requests otherwise in writing." [ ] 14. Confidentiality / NDA clause If you'll have access to sensitive business information (financials, strategy, unreleased products), include a mutual confidentiality clause. Specify what information is confidential and for how long (typically 2–3 yrs). --------------------------------------------------------------------- SECTION 6 — LEGAL PROTECTIONS --------------------------------------------------------------------- [ ] 15. Dispute resolution How will disputes be handled? Options: negotiation first, then mediation, then arbitration or small claims court. Specify the governing state/country law and jurisdiction. Arbitration avoids expensive litigation but waives jury rights — choose based on your comfort level. Example: "The parties agree to attempt to resolve any dispute through good faith negotiation. If unresolved within 30 days, disputes will be submitted to binding arbitration under [state] law." --------------------------------------------------------------------- BONUS: COMMON CONTRACT MISTAKES TO AVOID --------------------------------------------------------------------- ✗ Starting work before the contract is signed ✗ Accepting a verbal go-ahead as a contract ✗ Using a contract template without reading every clause ✗ Skipping the deposit requirement for a client who "seems trustworthy" ✗ Writing a scope that describes process instead of deliverables ✗ Forgetting to include a timeline extension clause for client delays ✗ Setting net-30 payment terms when you need cash sooner (try net-7 or net-14) --------------------------------------------------------------------- WANT A FULL EDITABLE CONTRACT TEMPLATE? --------------------------------------------------------------------- SoloStack's template library includes a complete freelance contract pack: full client contract, scope of work template, change order form, and more. See all templates at: https://solostack.madethis.app/products © SoloStack. Free to use and adapt for your freelance business.