WHAT YOU SHOULD INCLUDE IN YOUR FREELANCE CONTRACT
If you are a freelancer, having a contract in place is vital, to not only look professional and gives you as a freelance more credibility, but it will also ensure the responsibilities are outlined clearly, as well as legally protecting yourself from not getting paid etc. Before I start work with any new client, I make sure the contract is signed by both myself as the freelancer and the hiring company. In this article I deep dive into the main things you should be including in your contract to cover yourself correctly.
So first, why is it so important to have a contract in place? A written agreement will clearly outline the scope of work, project timeline, payment terms, and other key detail, thus ensuring that both parties have a clear understanding of their responsibilities and expectations. It can also protect both parties from legal, financial disputes and copywright disputes, as everything will be clearly outlined. And it will protect you if the contract gets terminated early. If you are new to freelancing, I would recommend getting a contract template in place, so that you can use it moving forwards.
Below is a list of things that you should be including in your freelance contract:
Scope of Work: Clearly outline the services you will be providing. Be specific about what is included and what is not included in your services.
Timeline: Set deadlines for deliverables and milestones. This helps manage expectations and ensures that both parties are on the same page regarding project timelines.
Payment Terms: Specify the payment amount, payment schedule, and method of payment. Include details about any upfront deposits, milestone payments, or final payment upon completion. Did you know that you can also charge for late payments? If a client is late paying your invoice, you can add a percentage on to the total and re-invoice them! More info can be found here.
Expenses: Clarify who will be responsible for any additional expenses incurred during the project, such as travel expenses or materials.
Revisions and Amendments: Outline the number of revisions included in the project scope and any additional fees for extra revisions. Also, include a clause detailing how changes to the contract will be handled.
Ownership and Intellectual Property Rights: Specify who will own the rights to the work produced. Typically, the freelancer retains the rights until full payment is received, after which the rights are transferred to the client.
Confidentiality: Include a confidentiality or non-disclosure clause to protect sensitive information shared during the project.
Termination Clause: Define the circumstances under which either party can terminate the contract and the process for doing so. I always make sure I have a 30-days notice period, as this gives me plenty of time to find another client so that I am not out of pocket when this client work terminates.
Indemnification: Clarify each party's responsibilities in case of legal claims arising from the project.
Dispute Resolution: Specify how disputes will be resolved, whether through mediation, arbitration, or litigation.
Governing Law: Determine which state or country's laws will govern the contract.
Signatures: Both parties should sign and date the contract to indicate their agreement and understanding of its terms.
And of course, make sure you include the names and contact information of both parties (you and your client), as well as the date the contract is being signed.
I would always advise that you get a template contract in place and checked over by a legal professional to make you sure you are properly covered, and then you can tailor the contract to the specific needs of each project and client. If you don’t know where to start, you can use my template here.
I hope that helps, and if you have any questions just drop a comment below!