Freelance Contract Template

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A freelance contract is the professional agreement between a freelancer and a client hiring their services. It formalizes the parties’ working relationship, defining the freelancer as an independent contractor and not an employee while relaying all necessary agreement terms and conditions.

Freelance Contract Template

A freelance contract is the professional agreement between a freelancer and a client hiring their services. It formalizes the parties’ working relationship, defining the freelancer as an independent contractor and not an employee while relaying all necessary agreement terms and conditions.

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Last updated November 5th, 2024

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A freelance contract is the professional agreement between a freelancer and a client hiring their services. It formalizes the parties’ working relationship, defining the freelancer as an independent contractor and not an employee while relaying all necessary agreement terms and conditions.

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Freelance vs. Contract

“Freelancer” and “contractor” are terms that generally mean the same thing: a self-employed worker. From a tax perspective, they are completely synonymous as both are required to file as a 1099 worker.

However, the two titles have slightly different connotations when used to describe the type of work being performed:

  • Freelancers usually take on multiple short-term projects and are hired on a per-task basis. 
  • Independent contractor is a broader umbrella term that includes both freelancers and workers who take on long-term contracts one at a time.

How to Write a Freelance Contract

A freelance agreement will generally cover the following elements.
  • Parties – The names and mailing addresses of each party.
  • Services – The services that the freelancer is providing for the client.
  • Payment – The payment method, amount, and schedule.
  • Expenses – Specifies which party is responsible for which expenses.
  • Contractor Status – States that the freelancer is not an employee of the client.
  • Signatures – The signatures of the client and freelancer, as well as the signing date.

Sample

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FREELANCE CONTRACT

1. PARTIES. This Freelance Contract (the “Contract”) is made between [CLIENT NAME] with a mailing address of [CLIENT ADDRESS] (the “Client”), and [FREELANCER NAME] with a mailing address of [FREELANCER ADDRESS] (the “Freelancer”).

2. SERVICES. The Freelancer agrees to perform the following for the Client: [LIST ALL SERVICE(S) HERE]. Hereinafter known as the “Services”.

3. PAYMENT. In consideration for the Services to be performed by the Freelancer, the Client agrees to pay [AMOUNT].

4. DUE DATE. The Services provided by the Freelancer shall: (check one)

☐ – Be completed by [MM/DD/YYYY].
☐ – NOT have a due date.
☐ – Other: [OTHER DUE DATE].

5. OPTION TO TERMINATE. The Client and the Freelancer shall not have the option to terminate this Contract earlier than the agreed upon terms mentioned in Section 5 unless there is a reasonable cause.

6. EXPENSES. The Freelancer shall be responsible for all expenses that are attributable directly to the Services performed under this Contract.

7. INSURANCE. The Freelancer agrees to bear all responsibility for the actions related to themselves and their employees or personnel under this Contract. In addition, the Freelancer agrees to obtain comprehensive liability insurance coverage in case of bodily or personal injury, property damage, contractual liability, and cross-liability (the “Liability Insurance”).

8. FREELANCER STATUS. The Freelancer, under the code of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), is an independent contractor, and neither the Freelancer’s employees or contract personnel are, or shall be deemed, the Client’s employees.

9. OTHER BUSINESS ACTIVITY. The Freelancer may engage in other business activities provided, however, that the Freelancer shall not during the term of this Contract solicit the Client’s employees, clients, accounts, or other related business endeavors of the Client.

10. ASSIGNMENT. Neither the Client nor the Freelancer may assign this Contract without the express written consent of the other party.

11. BUSINESS LICENSES, PERMITS, AND CERTIFICATES. The Freelancer represents and warrants that all employees and personnel associated shall comply with federal, state, and local laws requiring any required licenses, permits, and certificates necessary to perform the Services under this Contract.

12. FINAL AGREEMENT. It is agreed between the parties that there are no other agreements or understandings between them relating to the subject matter of this Contract. This Contract supersedes all prior agreements, oral or written, between the parties and is intended as a complete and exclusive statement of the agreement between the parties. No change or modification of this Contract shall be valid unless the same be in writing and signed by the parties.

13. INDEMNIFICATION. The Freelancer shall indemnify and hold the Client harmless from any loss or liability from performing the Services under this Contract.

14. GOVERNING LAW. This Contract shall be governed under the laws in the State of [STATE].

15. SEVERABILITY. This Contract shall remain in effect in the event a section or provision is unenforceable or invalid. All remaining sections and provisions shall be deemed legally binding unless a court rules that any such provision or section is invalid or unenforceable, thus, limiting the effect of another provision or section. In such case, the affected provision or section shall be enforced as so limited.

16. ADDITIONAL TERMS & CONDITIONS. [ADDITIONAL TERMS/CONDITIONS].

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have indicated their acceptance of the terms of this Contract by their signatures below on the dates indicated.

Client’s Signature: _______________________ Date: [MM/DD/YYYY]
Print Name: [CLIENT NAME]

Freelancer’s Signature: _______________________ Date: [MM/DD/YYYY]
Print Name: [FREELANCER NAME]