Freelance Contract Template

1. Parties and effective date

This Freelance Services Agreement is entered into on [Effective Date] by and between [Freelancer Legal Name or Business Name], located at [Freelancer Address], and [Client Legal Name or Business Name], located at [Client Address]. Each may be called a Party and together they are the Parties.

2. Scope of services

The Freelancer will provide the following services: [Detailed services]. The deliverables are: [List each deliverable, format, quantity, and acceptance criteria]. Work outside this scope requires a written change order that describes the additional work, fee, and schedule before the Freelancer begins it.

3. Timeline and client dependencies

Work is expected to begin on [Start Date] and reach the delivery milestones below: [Milestone and date]. The Client will provide timely access, information, approvals, and feedback. If a Client dependency is late, the affected deadline will move by a reasonable period that reflects the delay.

4. Fees and payment

The total fee is [Total Fee] in [Currency], payable as follows: [Deposit or first milestone], [Milestone payment], and [Final balance]. The Freelancer will invoice according to this schedule. The Client will pay each invoice by [Due Date or Payment Terms] using [Payment Method]. Approved expenses are reimbursed only when agreed in writing and supported by receipts.

5. Revisions and change orders

The fee includes [Number] rounds of reasonable revisions for the listed deliverables. A revision changes an included deliverable; a new direction, deliverable, or requirement is a change order. Extra work is billed at [Hourly or Project Rate] or the separately approved amount. The Freelancer will confirm a change order in writing before beginning it.

6. Intellectual property and portfolio use

After the Client has paid all amounts due, the Freelancer assigns the agreed final deliverables to the Client as described here: [IP transfer or license terms]. The Freelancer retains ownership of pre-existing tools, methods, templates, drafts, and third-party materials. Unless the Parties agree otherwise in writing, the Freelancer may display final public work in a portfolio after the Client launches or approves it, subject to confidentiality obligations.

7. Confidentiality

Each Party may receive non-public information from the other. The receiving Party will use that information only for this engagement, protect it with reasonable care, and disclose it only to people who need it for the engagement and are bound to protect it. Confidentiality does not cover information that is public without breach, already known without restriction, independently developed, or required to be disclosed by law.

8. Independent contractor relationship

The Freelancer is an independent contractor and not an employee, partner, agent, or joint venturer of the Client. The Freelancer controls the manner and means of performing the services, subject to the agreed deliverables and deadlines. The Freelancer is responsible for their own taxes, insurance, equipment, and business expenses unless this agreement states otherwise.

9. Warranties and liability

The Freelancer will perform the services with reasonable professional care and will promptly correct a material failure to meet the agreed scope when the Client gives written notice. Except for obligations that cannot legally be limited, neither Party will be liable for indirect or consequential loss. The total liability of each Party is limited to [Liability Cap], except for fraud, intentional misconduct, or an obligation that applicable law does not allow the Parties to limit.

10. Termination

Either Party may terminate this agreement with [Notice Period] written notice. Either Party may terminate immediately for a material breach that is not cured within [Cure Period] after written notice, where a cure is possible. On termination, the Client will pay for accepted work, work in progress that cannot reasonably be returned, approved expenses, and any agreed cancellation or kill fee. The Freelancer will provide paid-for deliverables after cleared payment.

11. Governing law, disputes, and entire agreement

This agreement is governed by the laws of [State or Country], without choosing conflict-of-law rules. The Parties will first try in good faith to resolve a dispute through direct discussion, then use [Mediation, Arbitration, or Court] in [Location] if needed. This agreement and its written attachments are the entire agreement and replace earlier discussions about the services. Changes must be written and accepted by both Parties. Electronic signatures and counterparts are permitted where legally valid.

Signatures

[FREELANCER LEGAL NAME OR BUSINESS NAME] By: [Your Name] Title: [Title, if applicable] Signature: [Signature] Date: [Date]

[CLIENT LEGAL NAME OR BUSINESS NAME] By: [Client Name] Title: [Title, if applicable] Signature: [Signature] Date: [Date]