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Freelance Contract template

A freelance contract sets out the project a freelancer will deliver for a client, including the scope, timeline, fees, payment terms, revisions, and who owns the finished work.

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

1. Parties

This Freelance Contract (the "Contract") is made on [DATE] between [CLIENT NAME], located at [CLIENT ADDRESS] (the "Client"), and [FREELANCER NAME], located at [FREELANCER ADDRESS] (the "Freelancer").

2. Project and Deliverables

The Freelancer will provide the following services: [PROJECT DESCRIPTION]. Deliverables: [LIST OF DELIVERABLES, including formats, quantities, and specifications]. Anything not listed is outside the scope of this Contract.

3. Timeline

The project begins on [START DATE]. Milestones and delivery dates: [MILESTONE 1 — DATE; MILESTONE 2 — DATE; FINAL DELIVERY — DATE]. Deadlines depend on the Client providing materials, access, and feedback on time; delays by the Client will extend deadlines accordingly.

4. Revisions and Changes

The fee includes [NUMBER] rounds of revisions per deliverable, requested within [DAYS] days of delivery. Additional revisions or changes to the scope will be quoted in writing and billed at [HOURLY RATE OR CHANGE FEE] once approved by the Client.

5. Fees and Payment

The Client will pay [CHOOSE: a fixed fee of AMOUNT AND CURRENCY / AMOUNT per hour, estimated at HOURS hours]. A non-refundable deposit of [DEPOSIT, e.g. 50%] is due before work begins, and the balance is due [PAYMENT SCHEDULE, e.g. on final delivery]. Invoices are payable within [PAYMENT TERMS, e.g. fourteen (14)] days by [PAYMENT METHOD]. Late payments incur interest of [LATE FEE]% per month, to the extent permitted by law, and the Freelancer may pause work until overdue amounts are paid.

6. Expenses

The Client will reimburse pre-approved expenses such as [STOCK ASSETS, FONTS, SOFTWARE LICENSES, TRAVEL], invoiced at cost with receipts.

7. Intellectual Property

Upon receipt of full payment, the Freelancer assigns to the Client all rights in the final approved deliverables. The Freelancer retains ownership of pre-existing materials, tools, and unused drafts, and grants the Client a non-exclusive, perpetual license to use any pre-existing materials incorporated in the deliverables. Third-party assets remain subject to their own licenses. [OPTIONAL: The Freelancer may display the final work in their portfolio unless the Client objects in writing.]

8. Independent Contractor

The Freelancer is an independent contractor, not an employee, partner, or agent of the Client. The Freelancer controls how and when the work is done, provides their own equipment, and is responsible for their own taxes, insurance, and benefits.

9. Confidentiality

Each party shall keep confidential any non-public information received from the other in connection with this Contract and use it only to perform or receive the services.

10. Termination

Either party may terminate this Contract with [NOTICE PERIOD] written notice. On termination, the Client will pay for all work completed and expenses incurred up to the termination date, and the deposit is non-refundable. Rights in completed deliverables pass to the Client only once they are paid for.

11. Limitation of Liability and Governing Law

Except for breaches of confidentiality, each party's total liability under this Contract is limited to the total fees paid or payable under it, and neither party is liable for indirect or consequential losses. This Contract is governed by the laws of [GOVERNING LAW JURISDICTION], is the entire agreement between the parties, and may only be amended in writing.

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] FREELANCER: [FREELANCER NAME] Signature: ____________________ Date: [DATE]

When to use this template

  • When starting a writing, design, development, or other project with a new client
  • When you want clear deliverables and a revision limit to avoid scope creep
  • When you need deposit, milestone, and late-payment terms in writing
  • When the client needs ownership of the final work to transfer on payment

How to fill it in and get it signed

  1. Enter your details and the client's legal name and address.
  2. Describe the project and list every deliverable so the scope is unambiguous.
  3. Set milestones, the number of revisions included, and the rate for extra work.
  4. Fill in the fee, deposit, payment terms, late fee, and governing-law jurisdiction.
  5. Upload the contract to eSignSimple and send it to your client for e-signature. Clients don't need an account to sign.

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 should a freelance contract include?

The scope and deliverables, timeline, fees and payment terms, revision limits, intellectual property ownership, confidentiality, termination terms, and governing law.

Should freelancers ask for a deposit?

Many freelancers ask for 25–50% upfront, especially with new clients. A deposit shows commitment and reduces the risk of unpaid work.

Who owns the work in a freelance contract?

Under this template, ownership of final deliverables transfers to the client after full payment. Without a written agreement, the freelancer may keep the copyright in many jurisdictions.

Is a freelance contract signed online legally binding?

In most countries, yes. eSignSimple records an audit trail with timestamps, IP addresses, and a document hash for every signed contract.