Freelance Contract Basics: What to Include (Free Template)
A contract doesn't mean you don't trust your client. It means you both agree on what's happening before any work starts. A clear agreement prevents most of the problems freelancers face, from unpaid invoices to projects that never seem to end.
This is general information, not legal advice. Laws are different in every country. For large or risky projects, ask a lawyer to review your contract.
When you need a contract
- Direct clients: always. This means clients you find through LinkedIn, referrals, cold emails or your own website.
- Marketplace clients: usually not. Fiverr's and Upwork's terms and payment protection already cover orders made on the platform. Keep everything on the platform instead.
- Long or valuable projects: definitely, and consider professional advice.
What a simple freelance contract should include
1. The parties
Who the agreement is between: your name and the client's name or company, with contact details.
2. The scope of work
What you'll do, described clearly enough that both sides would agree on whether it's finished. Vague scopes cause most disputes.
3. Deliverables
The exact things you'll hand over, such as "three website pages", "10 social media posts" or "the source files".
4. Timeline
The start date, the deadline and any milestones. Add that the deadline moves if the client sends content, feedback or payments late.
5. Fees
The total price, or your hourly rate and an estimate. State the currency.
6. Payment schedule and method
When you'll be paid, for example 50% upfront and 50% on delivery, and how, such as Payoneer or bank transfer. Include when invoices are due and what happens if payment is late, such as pausing the work.
7. Revisions
How many rounds of changes are included, and what extra rounds cost.
8. Changes to the scope
How new requests are handled: quoted separately and agreed in writing before you start them.
9. Ownership of the work
Who owns the final work, and when. A common, fair approach is that the client owns the final deliverables once they've paid in full, while you keep your own tools, templates and earlier work.
10. Portfolio rights
Whether you can show the work in your portfolio. Ask, because some clients need confidentiality.
11. Confidentiality
A promise to keep the client's private information private.
12. Cancellation
What happens if either side ends the project early. Usually the client pays for work completed so far, sometimes with a minimum percentage, called a kill fee.
13. Independent contractor status
A line confirming you're an independent freelancer, not an employee, and that you handle your own taxes.
14. Liability
A simple limit on your responsibility, often capped at the fees paid.
Create one in minutes
You don't have to write this from scratch. The free contract generator builds a plain-language agreement from your answers. Save it as a PDF or copy the text into an email.
How to get it signed
- Signed PDF: the client signs, scans or photographs it, and sends it back.
- E-signature: use a free e-signature tool.
- Email agreement: paste the terms into an email and ask the client to reply "I agree". It's far better than nothing, and it gives you a written record.
Keep a copy of the signed version with your invoices and messages.
Common contract mistakes
- No contract at all, because "it's a small job" or "they seem nice".
- A vague scope, like "design a website", with no pages, features or revision limits.
- No payment schedule, so all the money arrives at the end, if at all.
- Unlimited revisions, which can turn a two-day job into a two-month job.
- Starting work before the deposit arrives.
From quote to contract to invoice
- Price the project with the quote calculator.
- Put the agreed terms in a contract with the contract generator.
- Bill each payment with the invoice generator.
For tricky conversations along the way, see how to handle difficult clients.