Contract templates · Freelancers & Contractors
Freelancers lose money in two ways: clients who pay late and projects that grow without the fee growing. A written client contract fixes both before work starts.
A freelance services agreement is the contract a freelancer sends a client covering project scope, deliverables, revisions, fees, deposit, payment schedule, late fees, ownership on payment, cancellation and portfolio rights.
When you need one
- Starting any freelance project
- Clients who pay late or keep adding scope
Key clauses in a Freelance Services Agreement
These are the clauses the template includes, and what each one does for you.
Project scope and deliverables
Defines what is and is not included, which is the basis for charging for extra work.
Revisions policy
Limits rounds of revisions and prices extra rounds.
Fees, deposit and payment schedule
Sets the fee, an upfront deposit and when the balance is due.
Late payment
Adds interest or a fee for late payment and lets the freelancer pause work.
Ownership on full payment
Transfers rights to the client only once the final invoice is paid.
Cancellation and kill fee
Pays the freelancer a kill fee if the client cancels part-way through.
Portfolio rights
Lets the freelancer show the work in a portfolio unless the client opts out.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Starting without a deposit on new clients.
- Transferring copyright on signature rather than on payment.
- Leaving 'minor changes' undefined, so every request becomes a revision.
How to use the template
Download the Word file
Buy the Freelance Services 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 Freelance Services Agreement (Client Contract) template
Lawyer-drafted and ready to edit in Word, Google Docs or Pages. One-time payment of $19, no subscription, instant download from My Contract Lawyer.
Frequently asked questions
How much deposit should freelancers take?
Commonly 25 to 50 percent upfront, with the balance on delivery or by milestones.
Can I charge interest on late invoices?
Usually yes if the contract says so, and some laws, such as the UK's late payment legislation for B2B debts, allow statutory interest anyway.
Is this different from an independent contractor agreement?
It is written from the freelancer's side, with protections such as kill fees and portfolio rights that a client-side contract often leaves out.
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.