ScopeLine

Free generator

Holiday availability clause generator

Black Friday and year-end are when "quick favours" land in your inbox. Set your blackout dates, weekend rules, reply target and optional rush coverage rate, then copy a plain-English holiday availability clause for your contract or SOW. Runs in your browser, no signup.

Holiday coverage rate: $150/hour (1.5× $100)

Your holiday availability clause

Holiday and weekend availability. Unless agreed in writing at least 5 business days in advance, Your Name is not available for new work, feedback turns or meetings during the Black Friday / Cyber Monday weekend (Thanksgiving Friday through the following Monday).

Response time. During that period, Your Name will aim to reply to email within 3 business days. Silence does not pause the agreed project timeline outside the blackout; milestones that fall inside the blackout move to the next business day after it ends.

Weekends. The fee does not include weekend work. Messages sent on Saturday or Sunday are treated as received on the next business day.

Limited holiday coverage (optional). If Client Co. needs a deliverable, hotfix or meeting inside the blackout, Client Co. must request it in writing at least 5 business days ahead. Approved coverage is billed at 1.5× Your Name's standard rate ($150/hour based on $100/hour), with a one-hour minimum, and only for the hours both parties confirm in writing.

Change orders. New scope requested during a holiday blackout still requires a written change order before work starts. Holiday coverage does not waive the change-order process.

Not legal advice. Check the wording against your own contract and local law.

How to use it

  1. Enter your name and the client name so the clause reads like your contract.
  2. Pick a holiday window (Thanksgiving week, Black Friday weekend, late December) or type custom blackout dates.
  3. Set how many business days of notice a client needs before you will consider holiday coverage.
  4. Choose whether weekends are ever included and whether you offer limited rush coverage.
  5. Copy the clause into your proposal, statement of work or contract before the holidays hit.

Pair it with a kill fee / cancellation clause, a revision clause and your statement of work so holiday coverage and new scope stay separate.

Keep holiday extras from becoming unpaid work

ScopeLine stores the deal you agreed, logs each client request against it and turns extras into change orders the client approves through a link, no login. When a Black Friday "small thing" shows up, you have the paper trail. Free for 3 active projects, no card.

Start free on ScopeLine

FAQ

Why do freelancers need a holiday availability clause?
Clients often assume you are on call through Thanksgiving, Black Friday and New Year. A short clause sets blackout dates, reply expectations and what optional rush coverage costs, so last-minute holiday asks do not become unpaid overtime.
What should a Black Friday freelance availability clause include?
Name the dates you are unavailable, how fast you will reply, whether weekends are included, how much notice is needed for emergency coverage, and the rush multiplier you charge if you do take the work. This generator builds that wording for you.
How much should holiday rush coverage cost?
Many freelancers charge 1.5× to 2× their standard hourly rate for approved holiday or weekend coverage, with a one-hour minimum. Pick a multiplier your clients will accept and that still pays for the time you give up.
Does holiday coverage replace a change order?
No. Holiday coverage only covers when you work. New features or out-of-scope asks still need a written change order before you start, even during a blackout.
Is this clause legally binding?
It is plain-English starter wording, not legal advice. Put it inside a signed contract, accepted proposal or statement of work, and check it against the law where you and your client work.
When should I send this clause to clients?
Before the holiday season starts—ideally when you send the proposal or kickoff email. For active retainers, send an update in early November so Black Friday and year-end expectations are clear.

More from Don't Work Free