Freelance Contract Template: Fill It In, Download the Word File

Freelance Services Agreement: clauses and what each one does

1. Services. Defines exactly what work is included. Anything not listed here is extra work, which protects both sides from scope creep.
2. Term and Schedule. Sets the timeline and makes delays caused by the client move the deadline instead of counting against the freelancer.
3. Fees and Expenses. States the price, how it is calculated, any upfront deposit and who pays for expenses.
4. Invoices and Payment. Sets when invoices are due and what happens if the client pays late, including the right to pause work.
5. Revisions and Changes. Limits free revision rounds and requires extra work to be agreed in writing, with a price, before it starts.
6. Ownership of Work. The client owns the finished work once it is paid for in full; the freelancer keeps their own tools and earlier materials.
7. Confidentiality. Both sides keep each other's private information secret, with the usual exceptions, for a set time after the project.
8. Independent Contractor. Makes clear this is a business-to-business relationship, not employment. How a relationship is classified depends on the facts and local law, not only on this sentence.
9. Responsibilities. Lists what each side promises to do so the project can run: quality work on one side, timely input and rights to materials on the other.
10. Limitation of Liability. Caps how much either side can claim if something goes wrong, usually at the value of the contract.
11. Termination. Lets either side exit with notice and makes sure the freelancer is paid for work already done.
12. Governing Law and Disputes. Picks whose law applies and asks both sides to talk before going to court. Which courts can hear a dispute is not chosen here; add it with your lawyer.
13. General. Standard housekeeping: this document is the whole deal, changes must be in writing, and electronic signatures count.