Contract templates · Freelancers & Contractors
Under a master services agreement, the statement of work is where the real commercial detail lives. A loose SOW is the most common source of scope disputes.
A statement of work (SOW) describes a single project under an existing master services agreement: what will be delivered, milestones, timeline, acceptance criteria, fees and payment schedule, and the assumptions the price is based on.
When you need one
- Each new project under an existing master services agreement
Key clauses in a Statement of Work
These are the clauses the template includes, and what each one does for you.
Project description
Summarises the project and its business goal.
Deliverables and milestones
Lists deliverables and the milestones they are tied to.
Timeline
Sets the timeline and key dates.
Acceptance criteria
Defines how the client tests and accepts each deliverable.
Fees and payment schedule
Fixes the price or rate and when invoices are raised.
Assumptions and change requests
Records the assumptions behind the price and the process for change requests.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Writing deliverables as activities, 'support the launch', rather than outputs.
- No acceptance criteria, so sign-off never happens.
- Leaving assumptions out, so the supplier has no basis for a change request.
How to use the template
Download the Word file
Buy the Statement of Work 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 Statement of Work (SOW) 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
Does a SOW work without an MSA?
It can, but it then needs its own legal terms; the template is designed to sit under an MSA.
What if the SOW conflicts with the MSA?
The MSA should state which document prevails; usually the MSA, except for project-specific commercial terms.
How detailed should a SOW be?
Detailed enough that someone outside the deal could tell whether each deliverable was met.
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.