Free Freelance Contract Template
Need a straightforward freelance agreement? Copy the template below, replace every bracketed field, remove clauses that do not fit your project, and have both parties review it before signing.
Important: This template is general educational information, not legal advice. Laws vary by location and industry. Ask a qualified local attorney to review high-value, regulated, or cross-border agreements.
What This Freelance Contract Covers
This template gives a freelancer and client one written record of the terms that most often cause confusion:
- Who is hiring whom
- What the freelancer will deliver
- When the work is due
- How many revisions are included
- How and when the freelancer gets paid
- Who owns the final work
- What happens if either party ends the project
- Which law governs the agreement
A written contract also helps document the relationship the parties intended to create. It does not, by itself, determine whether someone is legally an independent contractor. The IRS says worker classification depends on the actual degree of behavioral control, financial control, and independence.
Copy-and-Paste Freelance Contract Template
Freelance Services Agreement
This Freelance Services Agreement is entered into on [DATE] between:
- Client: [CLIENT LEGAL NAME], located at [CLIENT ADDRESS]
- Freelancer: [FREELANCER LEGAL NAME], located at [FREELANCER ADDRESS]
Together, the Client and Freelancer are the Parties.
1. Services and Deliverables
The Client hires the Freelancer to provide the following services:
[DESCRIBE THE WORK IN SPECIFIC TERMS]
The Freelancer will deliver:
- [DELIVERABLE 1]
- [DELIVERABLE 2]
- [DELIVERABLE 3]
Anything not listed above is outside the project scope and requires written approval from both Parties, including any change to the fee or delivery schedule.
2. Project Schedule
Work begins on [START DATE]. The target delivery date is [DELIVERY DATE].
The schedule depends on the Client providing requested information, materials, access, and feedback on time. A Client delay may move the delivery date by a reasonable amount.
3. Revisions and Acceptance
The fee includes [NUMBER] rounds of revisions that remain within the agreed scope. Additional revisions or new requests will be billed at [HOURLY RATE OR FIXED FEE] after the Client approves the additional work in writing.
The Client will review each deliverable within [NUMBER] business days. If the Client does not report a material problem within that period, the deliverable will be treated as accepted.
4. Fees and Payment
The total project fee is [AMOUNT AND CURRENCY].
Payment schedule:
- [DEPOSIT AMOUNT OR PERCENTAGE] due before work begins
- [MILESTONE PAYMENT] due when [MILESTONE]
- Remaining balance due [NUMBER] days after final delivery
Invoices not paid by their due date may incur [LATE FEE, IF PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW]. The Freelancer may pause work while an invoice remains overdue.
5. Expenses
The project fee [INCLUDES / DOES NOT INCLUDE] outside expenses. The Client must approve any reimbursable expense in writing before the Freelancer incurs it.
6. Client Responsibilities
The Client will provide accurate content, timely feedback, necessary access, and any materials required to complete the work. The Client confirms that it has the right to use all materials it supplies.
7. Intellectual Property
After the Freelancer receives full payment, the Freelancer transfers to the Client the rights in the final deliverables described in this agreement, except for:
- The Freelancer's pre-existing tools, templates, processes, and know-how
- Third-party materials governed by their own licenses
- Drafts, unused concepts, and work outside the final deliverables
The Freelancer may display the completed work in a portfolio after it becomes public, unless the Parties agree otherwise in writing.
Choose ownership language carefully. Copyright and moral-rights rules vary by jurisdiction. Have an attorney review this section when ownership is important to the deal.
8. Confidentiality
Each Party will protect non-public information received from the other Party and use it only to perform this agreement. This duty does not apply to information that is already public, was lawfully known before disclosure, or must be disclosed by law.
9. Independent Contractor Relationship
The Freelancer is an independent contractor and not an employee, partner, or agent of the Client. The Freelancer controls how and where the services are performed, subject to the agreed deliverables and deadlines, and is responsible for the Freelancer's own taxes, insurance, equipment, and business expenses.
This clause records the Parties' intent but does not override the facts of the working relationship or applicable law.
10. Termination
Either Party may terminate this agreement by giving [NUMBER] days' written notice. The Client will pay for work completed and approved expenses incurred through the termination date.
If either Party materially breaches this agreement and does not fix the breach within [NUMBER] days after written notice, the other Party may terminate the agreement immediately.
11. Warranties and Liability
Each Party confirms that it has authority to enter this agreement. The Freelancer will perform the services professionally and in accordance with the agreed scope.
To the extent permitted by applicable law, neither Party will be liable for indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages arising from this agreement. Any agreed liability cap should be written here: [LIABILITY CAP OR DELETE THIS SENTENCE AFTER LEGAL REVIEW].
12. Governing Law and Disputes
This agreement is governed by the laws of [STATE / PROVINCE / COUNTRY], without regard to conflict-of-law rules.
Before filing a claim, the Parties will first try in good faith to resolve the dispute through direct discussion. Any required mediation, arbitration, court location, or other dispute process should be stated here: [DISPUTE PROCESS AND LOCATION].
13. Entire Agreement and Changes
This agreement and any attached statement of work contain the complete agreement between the Parties concerning this project. Any change must be in writing and accepted by both Parties.
14. Signatures
Client
Name: [CLIENT SIGNER NAME]
Title: [TITLE]
Signature: ______________________________
Date: __________________
Freelancer
Name: [FREELANCER NAME]
Signature: ______________________________
Date: __________________
How to Customize the Template
Do not send the template with vague placeholders. Before signing:
- Describe deliverables in terms that both parties can verify.
- Put every deadline and payment date in writing.
- Define what counts as a revision and what becomes new work.
- Decide whether ownership transfers only after full payment.
- Choose the governing law and dispute location intentionally.
- Delete unused options and every drafting note in brackets.
- Export the final agreement as a PDF and let both parties review it.
How to Sign the Contract Online
Once the language is final:
- Save or export the agreement as a PDF.
- Create a SignQuick account and upload the PDF.
- Add the client and freelancer as recipients.
- Place signature and date fields for each person.
- Send the secure signing link.
- Keep the completed PDF and its audit trail with your project records.
For U.S. transactions, the federal ESIGN Act states that a contract generally cannot be denied legal effect solely because an electronic signature or electronic record was used. Exceptions and additional requirements can apply, so confirm the rules for your agreement.
Want the full walkthrough? Read how to send a document for e-signature in under 60 seconds, then send your finished contract with SignQuick.