As a freelancer, your contract is your most important business tool. It protects your work, ensures you get paid, and sets clear expectations with clients. Whether you're a writer, designer, developer, photographer, or consultant, a well-crafted freelance contract prevents the most common freelancing problems: scope creep, late payments, and disputes over deliverables.
Start with a clear scope of work. This is the most important section of your freelance contract and the one most likely to prevent disputes. Describe exactly what you will deliver, including formats, quantities, and specifications. Be specific—instead of 'website design,' write 'design of a 5-page responsive website including homepage, about page, services page, portfolio page, and contact page, delivered as Figma files and coded in HTML/CSS.'
Your payment terms should leave no room for ambiguity. Specify your rate (hourly, per project, or retainer), payment schedule (deposit upfront, milestone payments, or net-30), accepted payment methods, and late payment penalties. For project-based work, requiring a 25-50% deposit before starting work is industry standard and protects you if the client cancels the project.
Address revisions clearly. Unlimited revisions is a recipe for scope creep. Specify the number of revision rounds included in your price (typically 2-3), define what constitutes a 'revision' versus a 'new request,' and state your rate for additional revisions. This protects your time while giving the client reasonable opportunity to refine the deliverables.
Intellectual property clauses determine who owns the work you create. The most common arrangement is that IP transfers to the client upon full payment. However, you may want to retain rights for portfolio use, and some freelancers retain ownership and grant a license to the client instead. Whatever arrangement you choose, spell it out clearly in the contract.
Include a kill fee or cancellation clause. If a client cancels the project midway through, you've already invested time and turned down other work. A kill fee (typically 25-50% of the remaining project value) compensates you for this lost opportunity. Similarly, include provisions for project delays caused by the client, such as a day rate for delays beyond a specified timeline.
Protect yourself with a limitation of liability clause. This caps your maximum liability at the amount the client paid you under the contract. Without this protection, you could theoretically be sued for damages far exceeding your fee. Also include a clause specifying that you're not liable for how the client uses your deliverables.
Finally, include practical provisions like communication expectations (response times, preferred channels), the timeline for deliverables, confidentiality obligations (if handling sensitive information), and a termination clause that allows either party to end the relationship with reasonable notice. Sign the contract before starting any work, and keep a copy for your records.
