This FREE contract template will save you from freelancing heartaches

All your T&C in one place, ensuring you and your client are on the same page

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Every freelance professional needs a contract. Simply put, it is an agreement comprising the terms and conditions concerning the working relationship between a freelancer and a client.

We all know the advantages of a contract—legal protection being just one of them. It’s risky and even considered unprofessional to begin work on a project without signing a contract agreeable to both you and your client.

You do not need to wait for your client to send a contract to you. You can send them your own and bind them to it until their version comes along.

Based on requests from several friends, here’s a template I have created that you can use to draft your own contracts. Tweak it according to your project. I’d also recommend you bookmark/save this questionnaire I have prepared. It has all the questions you need to ask your client before deciding on a project. Include their answers in your contract.

Remember, the more clarity you have, the more you end up with clients on the same page as you, and the better working relationship you have with them. No matter what happens, insist on a contract. You’ll save yourself from a lot of heartache along the way. Good luck!

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FREELANCER’S NAME Freelancer’s Designation

Address, contact details, website

AGREEMENT

This agreement is between XX (“Client”) and XX (“Freelancer”) and concerns the following assignment:

XXX deliverables for XXX product/service/brand/company

1. Freelancer’s tasks

The Freelancer agrees to work on and submit XX number of XX (DELIVERABLES) every XX (PERIODICITY) as agreed with the Client, based on the Client’s brief. The brief and the deadline for submission will be mutually agreed upon by email or any other form of written communication.

2. Date of commencement

Contingent upon immediate signing of this contract and receipt of the advance amount, the Freelancer will start work on the assignment from Day Month Year.

3. Payment

The Client agrees to pay the Freelancer a total project fee of XX/- (CURRENCY + AMOUNT). The fee includes an advance amount of XX/- (CURRENCY + AMOUNT); work starts upon receipt of this advance amount. The remaining amount is payable in XX instalments by (DATE) of every month (PROVIDE AMOUNT BREAK-UP HERE). The Client agrees to transfer the amount/s to the Freelancer’s XX (SPECIFY WHETHER IT’S A BANK OR PAYPAL ACCOUNT) account.

A three-day grace period will be given to the Client to make the monthly payment to the Freelancer until the XXth of the respective month; if no payment is made by the Client to the Freelancer even until then, the Freelancer will stop work until s/he receives the payment and will add a/an XX% late fee to the next invoice.

In case any unit of work done by the Freelancer for the Client is unutilised by the Client, the Client agrees to compensate for the Freelancer's efforts anyway with XX% (SPECIFY WHETHER 100% OR LESS THAN THAT) of the fee applicable for that unit of work.

4. Changes & revisions

The aforementioned project fee is based on the estimated time investment needed by the Freelancer to accomplish the agreed deliverables. In case the Client wants to amend the arrangement or anything else, make changes to the submitted work, or add anything new, the Freelancer will provide a separate estimate for that.

5. Timings

The Client agrees to the Freelancer’s work timings of XX to XX for the project. The Freelancer assures maximum possible effort to complete a day’s tasks within the stated number of hours.

As a policy, the Freelancer does not undertake any work or respond to any calls/messages/emails between XX a.m./p.m. and 10 a.m./p.m. on (NAME THE FREELANCER’S DAYS OFF). In case of unavoidable work during these hours, the Freelancer will charge the Client a fee of XX per hour.

The Freelancer cannot provide a guarantee of quality in case of last-minute/rush jobs.

6. Legal

The Freelancer cannot guarantee that her/his work will be completely error-free, and so s/he cannot be liable to the Client or any third party for damages, including lost profits, lost savings, or other incidental, consequential or special damages, even if the Client has advised her/him of the same.

If any provision of this Agreement shall be unlawful, void, or for any reason, unenforceable, then that provision shall be deemed severable from this Agreement and shall not affect the validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions.

7. Copyright

Once the Freelancer completes a unit of work and receives the payment for it, the Client will own the copyright to that unit of work, and the Freelancer can sample and reuse that unit of work only with consent from the Client.

8. Applicable laws

Both parties agree that this Agreement shall be interpreted and governed by the jurisdiction and laws of the Courts of XX (FREELANCER’S LOCATION).

9. Miscellaneous

This Agreement may be amended only in writing, signed by both parties.

10. Termination

Once the project is in process, either party may terminate this Agreement for any reason, with XX days’ notice emailed to the other party. The Client will pay the Freelancer for work done up to the date of termination, and the Freelancer will refund any overpayment.

This agreement is made and entered into by and between the parties hereto on this date: Day Month Year

Freelancer’s signature

Freelancer’s full name:

Freelancer’s address:

Date:

__________________________

Client’s signature

Client’s full name:

Client’s address:

Date:

__________________________

Post updated on Tuesday, 12 July 2022