You finished the project on time. The client loved the work. Then came the awkward part: "I'll send the payment next week." Three weeks later, still nothing. You send a polite follow-up. Then another one. Then you start wondering if you should have gotten this in writing before starting.
Sound familiar? If you're a freelancer who has ever chased a payment, worked without a clear scope, or had a client change requirements mid-project without adjusting the budget, this article is for you.
Here's the thing: a freelancer contract doesn't need to be complicated. It doesn't need to be written by a lawyer. It just needs to exist, be clear, and be signed by both parties before work begins. Below you'll find a template you can actually use, plus a quick way to get it signed online without any hassle.
Why Freelancers Need Contracts (Even for Small Gigs)
A lot of freelancers skip contracts for projects under a certain amount. "It's just a quick logo." "It's only a 500-word article." "We've worked together before." These are the projects that cause the biggest headaches.
Scope creep is the silent killer. Without a contract, "design a logo" turns into "design a logo, plus business cards, plus a letterhead, plus can you just quickly adjust the website header." Every additional request feels small in isolation, but together they double your workload without doubling your pay.
Payment terms need to be written down. When someone verbally agrees to pay you within 14 days, that means very little if they decide to stretch it to 60. With a signed contract, you have a legal document that defines exactly when payment is due and what happens if it's late.
It protects both sides. Your client gets clarity on exactly what they're paying for, when it will be delivered, and how many revision rounds are included. You get clarity on payment timing, project scope, and what happens if the project gets canceled midway. Nobody loses.
You look more professional. Sending a contract before starting work signals that you take your business seriously. Most clients actually prefer working with freelancers who use contracts. It shows organization and sets the tone for a professional relationship.
What to Include in a Freelancer Contract
Not every freelancer contract needs to be a 20-page legal document. For most projects, a clear one-to-two-page agreement covers everything. Here's what you should always include:
Project Scope and Deliverables
This is the most important section. Be painfully specific. Instead of "website design," write "design of a 5-page website (Home, About, Services, Portfolio, Contact) using WordPress, including mobile responsiveness and one round of revisions."
The more specific your scope, the easier it is to say "that's outside the agreed scope" when the inevitable extra requests come in.
Payment Terms
Spell out everything:
- Total project fee (or hourly rate with estimated hours)
- Payment schedule (50% upfront and 50% on delivery is common for project-based work)
- Payment method (bank transfer, PayPal, Wise, etc.)
- Payment deadline (e.g., within 14 days of invoice)
- Late payment penalty (optional but effective, e.g., 1.5% per month on overdue amounts)
- Currency (especially important for international clients)
A clear payment section eliminates 90% of payment disputes before they happen.
Revision Policy
Unlimited revisions is a trap. Define exactly how many revision rounds are included and what happens after that. A common approach:
- 2 rounds of revisions included in the project fee
- Additional revisions billed at your hourly rate
- Revisions requested more than 14 days after delivery are treated as new work
This protects your time without making the client feel restricted. Two rounds of revisions are enough for any reasonable project.
Timeline and Deadlines
Include:
- Project start date (usually tied to receiving the upfront payment or signed contract)
- Key milestones (first draft by X, review period until Y)
- Final delivery date
- What happens if the client delays feedback (the timeline shifts accordingly)
That last point matters more than most freelancers realize. If your client takes three weeks to review a first draft, your final delivery date should shift by three weeks too. Put it in the contract.
Intellectual Property and Ownership
Who owns the work after delivery? For most freelancer projects, the answer is straightforward: full rights transfer to the client upon final payment. But you should state this clearly.
Consider also:
- Can you use the work in your portfolio?
- Does ownership transfer before payment is complete?
- Are source files included or only final deliverables?
Cancellation and Kill Fee
Projects get canceled. It happens. Your contract should address:
- Client cancellation: What does the client owe if they cancel midway? A common approach is to bill for all completed work plus a percentage of the remaining fee (often 25-50%).
- Your right to terminate: Under what circumstances can you walk away? Non-payment, abusive communication, or repeated scope changes without budget adjustments are reasonable triggers.
- Notice period: How much advance notice does either party need to give?
Confidentiality
If you'll be handling sensitive information (business plans, financial data, customer lists), include a basic confidentiality clause. Nothing complex is needed. Just a statement that you won't share confidential project details with third parties.
Common Freelancer Contract Mistakes
Mistake 1: Starting Work Before the Contract Is Signed
The client says "just get started, we'll sort the paperwork later." This almost always ends badly. The contract should be signed and the upfront payment received before you write a single line of code, design a single pixel, or draft a single word.
No exceptions. Not even for repeat clients.
Mistake 2: Using a Contract from the Wrong Country
Employment law, contract law, and tax rules vary between countries. A contract template designed for US freelancers might include clauses that are unenforceable in Germany, or miss protections that are standard in the UK. Make sure your template aligns with the laws that apply to your situation.
Mistake 3: Not Defining "Done"
When is the project complete? After delivery? After the client approves it? After revisions? "The project is considered complete upon client approval of the final deliverables, or 14 days after delivery if no feedback is provided" is a clear definition that prevents projects from staying open indefinitely.
Mistake 4: Forgetting About Communication
How should communication happen? Email only? Slack? Weekly calls? Setting communication expectations upfront prevents situations where a client expects daily updates on a project that doesn't require them, or goes silent for weeks when you need feedback.
Mistake 5: Making the Contract Hard to Sign
If signing the contract requires printing, hand-signing, scanning, and emailing back, don't be surprised when it sits on your client's desk for weeks. Use electronic signatures. Send a link, client clicks and signs, done in two minutes.
How to Sign Your Freelancer Contract Online
Here's the fastest way to get your contract signed before a project starts:
Step 1: Fill Out the Template
Use the template below or your own version. Fill in all the project-specific details: scope, payment, timeline, revisions, ownership.
Save it as a PDF when you're done.
Step 2: Upload and Configure
Go to CanUSign and upload your contract. Mark where you and your client need to sign. Typically that's:
- Your signature at the bottom
- Client signature at the bottom
- Date fields next to each signature
Step 3: Send to Your Client
Enter your client's email address. They receive a link, review the contract, and sign it directly on their phone or computer. No account needed on their end. No app to download.
Step 4: Get Your Signed Copy
Both parties automatically receive a PDF of the fully signed contract with a signature certificate and timestamps. Save it, start the project, get paid on time.
The whole process takes about five minutes. At €1 per signed contract, it costs less than a coffee and saves you from potential payment disputes worth thousands.
Free Freelancer Contract Template
Copy this template, customize it for your project, and get it signed before starting work.
FREELANCER SERVICE AGREEMENT
Date: [Date]
PARTIES
Client: [Client Full Name / Company Name], located at [Client Address]
Freelancer: [Your Full Name / Business Name], located at [Your Address]
1. SCOPE OF WORK
The Freelancer agrees to provide the following services:
[Detailed description of deliverables, including specifications, formats, and quantities]
Any work not explicitly listed above is outside the scope of this agreement and will require a separate agreement or a written amendment to this contract.
2. TIMELINE
- Project start date: [Date] (or upon receipt of signed contract and upfront payment)
- Milestone 1: [Description] by [Date]
- Final delivery: [Date]
Delays caused by the Client (late feedback, delayed materials) will extend the timeline by the equivalent duration.
3. PAYMENT
Total project fee: [Amount] [Currency]
Payment schedule:
- [50%] ([Amount]) due upon signing this agreement
- [50%] ([Amount]) due upon delivery of final deliverables
Payment method: [Bank transfer / PayPal / Wise / Other]
Payment terms: Due within [14] days of invoice. Late payments incur a fee of [1.5%] per month on the outstanding amount.
4. REVISIONS
This agreement includes [2] rounds of revisions. Additional revisions will be billed at [Amount] [Currency] per hour. Revision requests must be submitted within [14] days of delivery.
5. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Upon receipt of full payment, all rights to the deliverables transfer to the Client. The Freelancer retains the right to display the work in their portfolio unless otherwise agreed in writing.
Before full payment is received, all intellectual property rights remain with the Freelancer.
6. CONFIDENTIALITY
Both parties agree to keep project details, business information, and any proprietary materials shared during the project confidential. This obligation survives the termination of this agreement.
7. CANCELLATION
Either party may cancel this agreement with [14] days written notice.
If the Client cancels after work has begun, the Client will pay for all completed work plus [25%] of the remaining project fee.
If the Freelancer cancels, any prepaid amounts for uncompleted work will be refunded within [14] days.
8. LIABILITY
The Freelancer's total liability under this agreement shall not exceed the total project fee. The Freelancer is not liable for indirect damages, lost profits, or third-party claims arising from the use of deliverables.
9. GOVERNING LAW
This agreement is governed by the laws of [Country/State].
SIGNATURES
Client: _________________________ Date: _____________
Freelancer: _________________________ Date: _____________
A note on this template: This covers the essentials for most freelance projects including design, development, writing, consulting, and marketing work. Depending on your industry and location, you might need additional clauses. Tax requirements, insurance obligations, and independent contractor classifications vary by country. If you're working with large companies or government clients, they may have their own contract requirements that supplement or replace parts of this template.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the same contract template for every client?
You can use the same base template, but you should customize the scope, payment, and timeline sections for each project. The general terms (revisions, IP, cancellation) can usually stay the same. Think of it as a reusable framework with project-specific details filled in each time.
What if my client wants to use their own contract?
Read it carefully. Many client contracts are written entirely in their favor. Watch out for clauses that assign unlimited liability to you, allow unlimited revisions, or let the client own your work before paying for it. Don't be afraid to negotiate or propose amendments. A professional client will respect that.
Is a freelancer contract signed online legally binding?
Yes. Electronic signatures carry the same legal weight as handwritten signatures under the EU's eIDAS Regulation, the US ESIGN Act, and equivalent laws in most countries. A digitally signed freelancer contract is fully enforceable in court.
Should I charge for the contract signing?
No, absorb the cost. At €1 per signed contract through CanUSign, it's a negligible business expense that protects projects worth hundreds or thousands of euros. Think of it as insurance that costs less than your morning coffee.
What if a client refuses to sign a contract?
That's a red flag. A client who won't sign a basic agreement is a client who might not pay, might expand the scope without compensation, or might dispute the terms later. Politely explain that contracts protect both parties and that it's standard professional practice. If they still refuse, seriously consider whether this is a client worth working with.
Final Thoughts
Getting a freelancer contract signed before starting work is the single most effective thing you can do to protect your income and your sanity. It takes five minutes to fill out the template, two minutes for the client to sign it online, and it saves you from weeks of chasing payments and arguing about scope.
Grab the template above, make it yours, upload it to CanUSign, and send it to your next client before writing a single line of work. Your bank account will thank you.