Free template
Freelance contract template
A handshake and a quote is how a fixed-fee project turns into unpaid extras. Fill in the deliverables, what is not included, the fee, revisions, change requests and cancellation terms, then copy a one-page agreement you can send for signature. Runs in your browser, no signup.
Your contract
FREELANCE SERVICES AGREEMENT
Between Your Name ("Freelancer") and Client Co. ("Client").
1. Project. Freelancer will deliver a five-page marketing website.
2. Deliverables (in scope).
- Homepage design
- Four inner page designs
- Responsive build in Webflow
- One handover call
3. Not included (out of scope).
- Copywriting
- Stock photo purchases
- Ongoing maintenance
Anything not listed in section 2 is out of scope.
4. Fee and payment. The total fee is $4,000. A deposit of $2,000 (50%) is due before work starts. The balance of $2,000 is due on final delivery. Invoices are payable within 14 days.
5. Revisions. The fee includes 2 rounds of revisions to delivered work. A round is one consolidated list of changes sent in a single message. Extra rounds are billed at $75 per hour.
6. Change requests. New deliverables, features or a change in direction are not revisions. Freelancer will send a written change order with the price and timeline impact, and will start that work only after Client approves it in writing.
7. Feedback and approval. Client will give feedback within 5 business days of each delivery. If no feedback arrives in that time, the delivery counts as approved for that round.
8. Cancellation. Either party may end this agreement with 7 days' written notice. Client pays for all work completed up to the end date. The deposit is non-refundable.
9. Ownership. Rights to the final deliverables pass to Client once the full fee is paid. Freelancer may show the work in a portfolio unless Client asks otherwise in writing.
10. Acceptance. Signing below, or approving this agreement in writing by email, means both parties accept these terms.
Your Name: ____________________ Date: ________
Client Co.: ____________________ Date: ________Not legal advice. Starter wording only; check it against the law where you and your client work. Nothing you type is stored.
How to use it
- Fill in your name, the client and the project in one line.
- List every deliverable the fee covers, one per line. Be specific: pages, rounds, formats, calls.
- List what is not included. This is the line that stops scope creep later.
- Set the fee, deposit and payment terms. A 30 to 50% deposit before work starts is common.
- Set revision rounds, your rate for extras and a cancellation notice period, then copy the contract and send it for signature or email approval.
Need more detail on one section? Use the revision clause generator, the kill fee clause generator or the payment milestone calculator. When the client asks for something outside the contract, send a change order.
Hold the client to the contract, kindly
ScopeLine stores your original deal, logs each request against it, flags anything outside scope and turns it into a change order the client can approve. Free for 3 active projects, no card.
Start free on ScopeLineFAQ
- What should a freelance contract include?
- At minimum: who the parties are, the project, a list of deliverables, what is not included, the fee and when it is paid, how many revisions are included, how change requests are handled, how either side can cancel, and who owns the work. This template covers all of them on one page.
- Why list what is not included?
- Because most scope creep starts with a request that was never discussed. Writing down what is out of scope, and saying anything not listed is out of scope, gives you a clear, friendly reason to quote extra work as a change order.
- How much deposit should a freelancer ask for?
- Many freelancers ask for 30 to 50% before work starts, and the rest on delivery or in milestones. A deposit filters out clients who are not committed and covers you if the project is cancelled early.
- Is an email approval as good as a signature?
- In many places a clear written acceptance by email can form a binding agreement, but rules differ by country and state. A signature is the safest option for larger projects. This is not legal advice.
- Is this freelance contract template legally binding?
- It is plain-English starter wording, not legal advice, and it is not a substitute for a lawyer. Check it against the law where you and your client work, especially for large projects or international clients.
More from Don't Work Free