What to Put in the Agreement
The following information will need to be included in the contract:
- The names and addresses of the consultant and client.
- The services the consultant is hired to provide.
- The duration of the agreement.
- The compensation the consultant will receive.
- The method of payment.
- The retainer and/or contingency fee the client guarantees (if applicable).
- A non-disclosure provision.
- The division of any expenses.
- An affirmation of the consultant’s independent contractor status.
Once completed, both parties must sign and date the agreement to make it legally binding.
Typical Services
Some of the typical services for which companies will hire software-developing consultants are as follows:
- App Development – Applying expert skills and experience to consulting or working directly on the development of mobile or computer applications.
- Cyber Security – Auditing web security and providing recommendations or services to improve the company’s setup.
- Modernizing Software – Planning the redesign and updating of software.
- Process Analysis – Analyzing an organization and providing software solutions to improve workflow, communication, and profits.
- Software Assessment – Evaluating and auditing software performance and offering advice for improvements.
- Software Selection – Advising clients on software vendors and applications that best suit their needs.
- Team Augmentation – Providing tools, organization, and training to a company’s development team.
Sample
Download: PDF, Word (.docx), OpenDocument
SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT AGREEMENT
This Consultant Agreement (“Agreement”) is by and between [CONSULTANT’S NAME], hereafter referred to as the “Consultant,” and [CLIENT’S NAME], hereafter referred to as the “Client.”
1. SERVICES. The Consultant agrees to provide the following services to the Client: [DESCRIBE DEVELOPER’S SERVICES] (“Services”).
2. COMPENSATION. In consideration for the Services to be provided, the Client agrees to pay the Consultant $[AMOUNT] per hour.
3. PAYMENT METHOD. The Consultant shall be paid, in accordance with section 4, upon the Client receiving an Invoice from the Consultant.
4. TERM. The Services shall commence on [MM/DD/YYYY] and end on [MM/DD/YYYY].
5. RETAINER. As an advance on future Services to be provided, the Client is required to pay the Consultant a retainer in the amount of $[AMOUNT] every ☐ week ☐ month ☐ quarter, beginning on [DATE] (“Retainer”). The Retainer is non-refundable.
6. NON-DISCLOSURE. The Consultant agrees not to disclose or misuse the Client’s proprietary or confidential information without prior written consent, except as needed to perform the Services, recognizing that such actions would cause irreparable harm to the Client.
7. EXPENSES. The Client shall only be responsible for the following expenses: [LIST EXPENSES TO BE PAID BY CLIENT].
8. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR STATUS. The Consultant is an independent contractor, and neither the Consultant nor their employees or contract personnel are or shall be deemed the Client’s employees.
9. TERMINATION. Either party may terminate this Contract upon [#] days’ written notice.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on [MM/DD/YYYY].
Consultant’s Signature: ____________________
[CONSULTANT PRINTED NAME]
Client’s Signature: ____________________
[CLIENT PRINTED NAME]