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Consulting Agreement template

A consulting agreement sets the terms for a consultant providing expert advice or services to a client, including scope, fees, confidentiality, and ownership of work.

Replace everything in [BRACKETS], export to PDF, then send it for signature.

1. Parties

This Consulting Agreement (the "Agreement") is made as of [EFFECTIVE DATE] between [CLIENT NAME], of [CLIENT ADDRESS] (the "Client"), and [CONSULTANT NAME], of [CONSULTANT ADDRESS] (the "Consultant").

2. Consulting Services

The Consultant will provide the following consulting services: [DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES] (the "Services"). Deliverables include [DELIVERABLES, e.g. a written report, workshop, strategy plan], to be delivered by [DEADLINES]. Additional work outside this scope will be agreed in writing.

3. Term

This Agreement starts on the Effective Date and continues until [END DATE / COMPLETION OF THE SERVICES], unless terminated earlier under Section 10.

4. Fees

The Client will pay the Consultant [FEE STRUCTURE, e.g. USD 150 per hour / a monthly retainer of USD 3,000 / a fixed fee of USD 10,000]. [OPTIONAL: Retainer hours not used in a month DO / DO NOT roll over.]

5. Invoicing and Expenses

The Consultant will invoice the Client [INVOICING FREQUENCY], and invoices are payable within [PAYMENT TERMS] days. The Client will reimburse reasonable, pre-approved expenses incurred in performing the Services, with receipts.

6. Relationship of the Parties

The Consultant is an independent contractor and not an employee, partner, or agent of the Client. The Consultant is responsible for their own taxes, insurance, and working methods, and has no authority to bind the Client.

7. Confidentiality

The Consultant shall keep confidential all non-public information received from the Client and use it only to perform the Services. This obligation continues for [SURVIVAL PERIOD] after this Agreement ends.

8. Intellectual Property

Upon full payment, the Client owns the deliverables prepared specifically for the Client. The Consultant retains ownership of their pre-existing methods, frameworks, tools, and general know-how, and grants the Client a non-exclusive license to use any of them included in the deliverables for the Client's internal business purposes.

9. Limitation of Liability

The Consultant's advice is provided on a professional-effort basis, and the Client remains responsible for its own business decisions. Except for breaches of confidentiality, neither party's total liability exceeds [LIABILITY CAP, e.g. the fees paid in the prior 12 months], and neither party is liable for indirect or consequential damages.

10. Termination

Either party may terminate this Agreement with [NOTICE PERIOD] written notice. Either party may terminate immediately if the other materially breaches this Agreement and does not cure the breach within [CURE PERIOD]. The Client will pay for Services performed through the termination date.

11. Governing Law and General Terms

This Agreement is governed by the laws of [GOVERNING LAW JURISDICTION]. It is the entire agreement between the parties on its subject and may only be changed in writing signed by both parties.

12. Signatures

The Parties agree that this Agreement may be signed electronically and in counterparts, and that electronic signatures have the same effect as handwritten signatures. CLIENT: [CLIENT NAME] Signature: ____________________ Name: [SIGNATORY NAME] Title: [SIGNATORY TITLE] Date: [DATE] CONSULTANT: [CONSULTANT NAME] Signature: ____________________ Date: [DATE]

When to use this template

  • When a consultant or advisor is engaged for strategy, marketing, IT, finance, or similar work
  • When the engagement is billed hourly, on retainer, or as a fixed project fee
  • When the consultant will see confidential business information
  • When you want deliverables and ownership of reports or materials defined up front

How to fill it in and get it signed

  1. Enter the client and consultant details and the effective date.
  2. Describe the services, deliverables, and deadlines as specifically as you can.
  3. Choose the fee structure (hourly, retainer, or fixed) and invoicing terms.
  4. Set the confidentiality period, liability cap, notice period, and governing law.
  5. Upload the agreement to eSignSimple and send it to your client and yourself for e-signature.

This template is general information, not legal advice. Laws differ by country and state; have a lawyer review contracts with high stakes.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a consulting agreement and an independent contractor agreement?

They are similar. Consulting agreements usually focus on expert advice and deliverables like reports, while contractor agreements cover a broader range of hands-on work.

Should a consulting agreement include an NDA?

This template includes a confidentiality clause. For very sensitive projects, some clients also use a separate, more detailed NDA.

How do consultants usually charge?

Common models are hourly rates, monthly retainers, and fixed project fees. The fee clause in this template supports any of them.

Do I need a lawyer for a consulting agreement?

For small engagements a template is often enough. For large contracts, regulated industries, or significant liability exposure, consider a legal review.