How to Write a Freelance Contract
Protect yourself and your clients with clear, professional contracts for every project.
A good contract protects both you and your client. It sets clear expectations, defines deliverables, and provides a roadmap if anything goes wrong. Every freelancer should use contracts—here's how to write one.
Why Every Freelancer Needs a Contract
Contracts protect against scope creep, non-payment, and misunderstandings. They establish you as a professional, clarify expectations, and provide legal protection. Even for small projects, a simple contract saves headaches.
Essential Contract Clauses
Every freelance contract needs: Scope of Work (exactly what you'll deliver), Timeline (deadlines and milestones), Payment Terms (amounts, schedule, methods), Revisions (how many, what costs extra), Intellectual Property (who owns the work), Termination (how either party can end the agreement), and Liability (limits on your responsibility).
Defining Scope of Work
Be specific about deliverables. Instead of 'website design', specify 'design of 5-page marketing website including home, about, services, portfolio, and contact pages, delivered as Figma files'. Clear scope prevents disputes later.
Payment Terms That Protect You
Common structures include: 50% upfront, 50% on completion; milestone-based payments tied to deliverables; or retainer agreements for ongoing work. Always require some payment upfront for new clients. Include late payment penalties.
Intellectual Property Clauses
Define who owns the work and when. Common approaches: client owns everything upon full payment, you retain rights to use in your portfolio, or you license usage while retaining ownership. Be explicit about source files and unused concepts.
Quick Steps
- 1
Define the scope of work
List exactly what you'll deliver with specific details and exclusions.
- 2
Set payment terms
Specify amounts, schedule, accepted methods, and late payment consequences.
- 3
Add timeline and milestones
Include project start date, key milestones, and final delivery date.
- 4
Include legal protections
Add clauses for IP rights, revisions, termination, and liability limits.
- 5
Review and finalize
Have both parties sign and keep copies of the executed contract.