Freelance Contract Template: Sample Clauses You Can Adapt
A good freelance contract is mostly a handful of clear sentences. Below is sample wording for the clauses that matter most. Treat it as a starting point: replace the details in brackets, delete what does not apply, and have a lawyer review the contract for large or high-risk projects. This is general information, not legal advice, and rules differ by country.
Scope of work
Sample: "The Freelancer will deliver the services described in the attached Scope of Work. Anything not listed there is outside the scope and will be quoted separately before work begins."
Why it matters: the second sentence turns every extra request into a conversation about price instead of a favor. If the project is large, attach a separate scope document and refer to it by name.
Fees and payment
Sample: "The Client will pay a total fee of [AMOUNT]. A deposit of [30]% is due before work begins. The balance is due within [14] days of the invoice date."
Change the deposit and the number of days to fit your business. Shorter payment terms help your cash flow, but very short terms can be hard for larger companies, which often pay on a fixed cycle.
Late payment
Sample: "Invoices unpaid after the due date accrue interest of [1.5]% per month. The Freelancer may pause work until overdue invoices are paid."
Check local rules on late fees: some countries limit the rate or set a default statutory rate. Whatever you choose, it only helps if it is written down before the work starts.
Revisions
Sample: "The fee includes [two] rounds of revisions. Additional revisions are billed at [RATE] per hour."
Define what counts as a round. For example, one consolidated list of feedback from the client is one round, not ten separate emails.
Ownership of the work
Sample: "On receipt of full payment, the Client owns the final deliverables. The Freelancer keeps ownership of pre-existing tools and methods and may show the work in a portfolio unless the Client objects in writing."
Tying ownership to full payment gives you leverage if an invoice goes unpaid. If the client needs the work to remain confidential, add a clause that covers portfolio use.
Confidentiality
Sample: "Each party will keep the other's non-public information confidential and use it only for this project."
Short mutual wording like this is enough for most small projects. Larger clients may send you their own, longer version.
Termination
Sample: "Either party may end this agreement with [14] days' written notice. The Client will pay for all work completed up to the end date."
If you take a deposit, decide whether it is refundable once work has started, and say so in the contract.
Independent contractor status
Sample: "The Freelancer is an independent contractor, not an employee, and is responsible for their own taxes and insurance."
Rules on how workers are classified differ by country, so check what applies to you.
Limitation of liability and governing law
Sample: "The Freelancer's total liability is limited to the fees paid under this agreement. This agreement is governed by the laws of [COUNTRY / STATE]."
Before you send it
Read the whole contract once as the client would. Remove anything you do not understand, because every clause should be something you can explain in one sentence. Send it as a document that can be signed electronically, keep a signed copy, and do not start work until it is signed and the deposit has arrived.
Get an editable version
Our template pack includes a ready-to-edit freelance contract, a scope of work, a project proposal, late payment reminders and an invoice, all as Word files. You can also create an invoice for free with our invoice generator.