Freelance Contract Template
A plain-language freelance contract that protects both you and your client. Every clause is explained in normal English—no law degree required. Covers scope of work, payment terms, revisions, intellectual property, confidentiality, termination, and dispute resolution. Includes a variant for design and creative projects.
What You'll Get
- Complete freelance contract — All essential clauses in plain language
- Design contract variant — Additional clauses for graphic design, web design, and videography
- Clause-by-clause explanations — Why each section matters and how it protects you
- Flexible payment terms — Sections for hourly, milestone, and retainer payment models
- IP and ownership transfer — Clear terms for when ownership passes to the client
Download the Template
Get the freelance contract template in PDF format.
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A freelance contract should cover these nine sections. Each one is explained below with sample language you can adapt.
Design Contract Variant
If you're a graphic designer, web designer, or videographer, your contract needs additional clauses that address creative-specific concerns:
Source file ownership
Specify whether source files (PSD, AI, Figma, Premiere Pro projects) transfer to the client or only final exports. Many designers transfer finals but retain source files unless separately purchased.
Stock asset licensing
If you use stock photos, fonts, or video clips, clarify who holds the licenses. The client may need to purchase their own licenses for ongoing use after the project ends.
Creative direction changes
A complete creative direction change (starting over) is different from a revision. Specify that direction changes beyond the agreed concept are billed as new work, not as a revision round.
Portfolio and credit rights
Reserve the right to display the work in your portfolio and case studies. Some clients (especially in NDA-heavy industries) may restrict this, so make it explicit.
Do Freelancers Need a Contract?
Yes. Always. Every single time. Even for small projects. Even for friends.
A contract protects your time, your money, and your work. Without one, you have no legal standing if a client doesn't pay, claims ownership of work you weren't hired to create, or disputes the scope after you've delivered.
The contract doesn't need to be long or complicated. This template is designed to be readable and fair. A one-page contract is infinitely better than no contract.
Key Clauses Every Freelance Contract Needs
Scope and deliverables
What you're delivering, in what format, and what's excluded.
Payment terms
How much, when, and what happens if they don't pay.
Revision limits
How many rounds are included and what additional revisions cost.
IP and ownership
When ownership transfers and what rights you retain.
Termination clause
How either party can end the engagement and what happens to completed work.
Confidentiality
Protection for both parties' proprietary information.
How to Handle Clients Who Won't Sign a Contract
If a client resists signing, it's usually for one of three reasons: they've never worked with a freelancer before (unfamiliarity), they don't think the project is big enough to warrant one (false economy), or they want flexibility to change things without accountability (red flag).
For the first two, explain that the contract protects them too—it guarantees what they'll receive, when, and at what price. Frame it as professionalism, not bureaucracy. For the third, consider whether this is a client you want to work with.
If they truly won't sign a formal contract, at minimum get the key terms in writing via email: scope, price, timeline, and payment terms. An email exchange where both parties confirm the terms can serve as a basic agreement in many jurisdictions.
How to Run This in Corcava
- Store signed contracts in the client record — Attach the contract to the CRM deal for easy reference
- Track time against contracted scope — See if actual hours match what you quoted
- Invoice directly from tracked work — Generate invoices that match the payment terms in your contract
- Manage the full client lifecycle — Contract, project, time tracking, invoicing in one place
Maps to: CRM, Projects, Time Tracking, Invoicing
Contracts are the foundation of profitable freelancing.See how contracts fit into the full profitability lifecycle →
Frequently Asked Questions
Do freelancers need a contract for every project?
Yes. Even small projects should have a written agreement. A contract protects both parties by defining scope, payment, and ownership. Without one, you have no recourse if a client doesn't pay, disputes the scope, or claims ownership of work you weren't hired to create. A simple one-page contract is better than none.
What should a freelance contract include?
At minimum: parties involved, scope of work (what you'll deliver and what's excluded), timeline, payment terms (amount, schedule, late fees), revision policy, intellectual property/ownership transfer, confidentiality, termination clause, and signatures. For creative work, also include source file terms and portfolio rights.
When does intellectual property transfer to the client?
Best practice is to transfer ownership upon full payment, not upon delivery. This gives you leverage if the client doesn't pay. Until payment clears, you own the work. Specify this clearly in the contract and note that pre-existing tools and frameworks remain your property.
How many revision rounds should I include?
Two rounds is the industry standard. Define what counts as a "round"—one consolidated batch of feedback, not individual back-and-forth messages. Additional revisions should be billed at your hourly rate through a change order process.
Should I use a lawyer to review my freelance contract?
For your template contract, having a lawyer review it once is a good investment. After that, you can reuse the same template for each client with minimal modifications. You don't need a lawyer for every project—just make sure the base template is solid.
What if a client wants to use their own contract?
Read it carefully. Client contracts often favor the client (shorter payment terms, broader IP transfer, no revision limits). Negotiate the terms you need: payment schedule, revision caps, IP transfer on payment, and termination rights. Don't sign anything you're not comfortable with.