Missing contracts can cost freelancers time, money, and clients.
This guide breaks down 5 essential contract types—each designed to protect your freelance work, ensure on-time payment, and stop project chaos before it starts.
Contract Essentials at a Glance
Here’s a quick snapshot of what your freelance contracts should cover.
Save or screenshot this as a checklist before your next client project.
Scope of Work: Stop Scope Creep Before It Starts
This is your most important contract section—it controls expectations and output.
The Scope of Work (SOW) outlines what you're delivering, when, and how many rounds of revisions are included. Without it, small requests easily balloon into unpaid labor.
Freelancers should include deadlines, file formats, deliverable types, and what's not included. That “not included” part is where you prevent gray zones from being abused later.
Still dealing with vague project expectations?
Define Scope Clearly 👆
Payment Terms: Never Work Without a Deposit Again
Deposits protect your time and reduce financial risk from late or missing payments.
Always include payment structure in your contracts. Standard terms might include 50% upfront, 50% at delivery—or 30/30/40 splits for large projects.
Also include deadlines (e.g. “final payment due within 7 days of delivery”) and accepted methods (ACH, PayPal, Stripe).
Include late payment fees (e.g. 5% every 14 days past due).
This clause isn’t about punishment—it’s about preventing ghosting and giving you leverage if clients delay payment.
Still chasing invoices after project delivery?
Protect Payments 👆
NDAs: Build Trust with Confidential Clients
NDAs protect sensitive data, project strategies, and your client’s peace of mind.
Whether you're writing sales copy or designing a SaaS interface, a Non-Disclosure Agreement reassures the client that their internal processes, ideas, or data won't be leaked.
Include sections on what’s considered “confidential,” how long the NDA lasts, and what happens in case of a breach. Many clients now expect this as part of your onboarding packet.
Want to attract clients who value professionalism?
Show Professionalism 👆
Revisions and Kill Fee Clauses: Your Time Deserves Boundaries
Without a revision clause, "just one more tweak" becomes unpaid overtime.
State how many revision rounds are included (e.g. 2). After that, each additional change should be billable. Use language like:
“Additional edits beyond the second round will be billed at $XX/hour.”
Also include a kill fee—if the client cancels midway, you retain a percentage of the project fee. It’s common practice and avoids unpaid hours if priorities shift on their side.
Looking for better systems to manage these tricky client moments?
Set Boundaries Early 👆
Final Thoughts: Contracts Turn Chaos Into Clarity
Strong contracts protect your time, income, and reputation.
You don’t need to be a lawyer. You just need clear language, strong boundaries, and reliable tools. Templates are your starting point, but personalization builds trust.
Use a freelance contract builder like Bonsai, Indy, or even Notion to store, send, and digitally sign your agreements.
Having a system makes onboarding faster, more professional—and legally solid.
Also read: Freelance Email Strategies That Convert Clients Fast
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💡 Use Contract Tools
