When you need a freelance contract
Any time you agree to do paid work for a client, a written contract protects both of you. It sets out what you will deliver, by when, for how much, and what happens if plans change.
Use it for one-off projects such as a website, a logo, a set of photos, a campaign or a piece of writing. For an ongoing working relationship, the independent contractor agreement may fit better.
What this freelance contract covers
- Who the freelancer and the client are.
- The project, the scope of work and the deliverables.
- Start date and deadline.
- A fixed fee or an hourly rate, the payment schedule and when invoices are due.
- How many rounds of revisions are included, and how extra work is handled.
- Who owns the finished work once it is paid for, and portfolio use.
- Confidentiality, liability and how either side can end the contract.
- Governing law, disputes and signature blocks.
How to use the Freelance Contract Generator
- Fill in your details and your client's.
- Describe the project and list the deliverables, one per line.
- Choose a fixed fee or an hourly rate and the payment schedule.
- Pick the revisions included and the governing country.
- Check the preview, download the PDF and send it for signature.
Frequently asked questions
Is a freelance contract from this generator legally binding?
A contract is usually binding once both sides agree to it and sign it, but rules differ from country to country. This is a template for general use, not legal advice. For large or unusual projects, ask a lawyer in your country to review it.
What should a freelance contract include?
The parties, a clear scope of work, deliverables, deadlines, the fee and payment schedule, revisions, who owns the finished work, confidentiality, how either side can end the contract, the governing law and signatures.
Should I charge a deposit?
Many freelancers ask for part of the fee before starting. Choose "50% before work starts" as the payment schedule to include a deposit in the contract.
Who owns the work, the freelancer or the client?
In this template the client owns the final deliverables once the fee is paid in full. The freelancer keeps their own tools, templates and earlier work, and the client gets the right to use any of those that are built into the deliverables.
Do you store what I type?
No. The contract is built entirely in your browser. Your draft is saved only in this browser on this device so a refresh does not lose it. We measure visits and downloads with analytics tools, which never see what you type.
Can I get the contract signed online?
Yes. Download the PDF for free, or use the "Send this for e-signature" button to send it with CloveDesk and get a signed copy with an audit trail.
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See how CloveDesk helps:
Get your contract signed online
CloveDesk sends documents for e-signature, keeps a full audit trail and gives each client a portal for quotes, invoices and files.
Send this for e-signatureTemplate for general use, not legal advice. CloveDesk is not a law firm and does not give legal advice. Laws differ between countries and situations; for anything important, ask a qualified lawyer.