Contract templates · Freelancers & Contractors
Consulting work turns on advice rather than deliverables, so the contract has to be clear about what is being bought, how it is charged and who owns the frameworks and materials used.
A consulting agreement is a contract between a client and a consultant setting the scope of advice or services, fees by retainer, day rate or project, expenses, confidentiality, ownership of materials, non-solicitation, liability limits and termination.
When you need one
- Hiring an adviser or consultant
- Selling consulting services
Key clauses in a Consulting Agreement
These are the clauses the template includes, and what each one does for you.
Consulting services and deliverables
Describes the advice, workshops, reports or other output the consultant provides.
Fees, retainer or day rate
Sets the fee model, whether retainer, day rate or fixed project fee, and invoicing.
Expenses
Lists which expenses are reimbursed and whether pre-approval is needed.
Confidentiality
Protects both sides' confidential information.
IP and use of pre-existing materials
Keeps the consultant's pre-existing methods and templates theirs while giving the client rights to the deliverables.
Non-solicitation
Stops either side poaching the other's staff for a period.
Liability cap
Caps the consultant's liability, often at fees paid.
Termination
Lets either party end the engagement on notice.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Handing over ownership of the consultant's own toolkit by accident.
- No liability cap on advice that a client relies on for major decisions.
- Open-ended retainers with no description of what the hours buy.
How to use the template
Download the Word file
Buy the Consulting Agreement template on My Contract Lawyer and download the editable .docx straight after checkout.
Fill in the brackets
Add names, dates, fees, scope and governing law, and delete optional clauses that do not apply to your deal.
Check it against local law
Rules differ between US states, the UK and EU countries, especially for employment, consumer and property contracts. Have a lawyer review high-value or unusual deals.
Sign and keep a copy
Sign on paper or with any e-signature tool, and store the final version where both sides can find it.
Get the Consulting Agreement template
Lawyer-drafted and ready to edit in Word, Google Docs or Pages. One-time payment of $29, no subscription, instant download from My Contract Lawyer.
Frequently asked questions
Is a consultant an employee?
Normally not, but long, exclusive, full-time consulting arrangements can be reclassified as employment.
Retainer or day rate?
Retainers suit ongoing availability; day rates suit defined bursts of work.
Should the consultant be insured?
Professional indemnity cover is common and often required by corporate clients.
Related contract templates
Templates are a starting point, not legal advice, and using one does not create a lawyer-client relationship. Contract law differs between countries and states, so check the finished document against local law.