Freelancer Contract Template: Every Clause That Gets You Paid and Protected

Project Scope and Revision Policy

The scope section prevents scope creep. Define: exactly what you'll deliver (list specific deliverables, not descriptions), file formats included, number of revision rounds included, what constitutes a revision vs. a new project, and your turnaround time for each round.

Revision limits are critical. Without them, clients request endless changes. Standard: 2 rounds of minor revisions included; additional rounds billed at hourly rate. Define 'minor revision' — color change, text edit — vs. 'major revision' — concept change, structural redesign.

A change order process should require written approval before work outside scope begins.

Payment Terms and Kill Fee

Payment structure for projects: 50% upfront, 50% on final delivery. For projects over $5,000: 33% at signing, 33% at midpoint milestone, 34% on delivery.

Late payment penalties: 1.5-2% per month on overdue invoices. Include this clause — it creates urgency without you having to chase.

Kill fee: If a client cancels a project mid-way, you should keep the deposit plus a kill fee equal to the pro-rated value of work completed. Standard: 25-50% of remaining contract value. Without a kill fee clause, clients can cancel anytime and dispute your right to payment for work done.

Non-payment remedies: Include the right to withhold delivery of final files until payment is received. This is your strongest leverage.

IP Ownership: When Does the Client Own Your Work?

The default copyright rule works against freelancers who want to retain portfolio rights and against clients who assume they own everything. Make it explicit:

Option A (most common): Full assignment upon final payment. The client owns all final deliverables once all invoices are paid in full. You retain the right to display work in your portfolio.

Option B (license model): You retain copyright and license the deliverables for specified uses. Common for photography, illustration, and writing.

Background IP: Explicitly state that tools, templates, plugins, and methodologies you bring to the project remain yours. Only the final deliverables (foreground IP) are assigned or licensed.

Portfolio rights: Include an explicit right to display the completed project in your portfolio and promotional materials.

Client Responsibilities and Approvals

Projects stall because clients don't deliver assets, feedback, or approvals on time. Protect yourself with a client responsibility clause:

Timely feedback: Client agrees to provide feedback within X business days of each deliverable submission. Silence equals approval after X days — specify this explicitly.

Content delivery: Client is responsible for providing all text, images, brand assets, and other content by [date]. Project timeline extends automatically for each day of client delay.

Access and credentials: Client will provide necessary access to systems, platforms, or accounts required for the project within X days of contract signing.

Red Flags to Watch For

• ⚠No revision limit — client can request unlimited changes without additional payment
• ⚠No deposit or upfront payment — full payment 'on delivery' means you fund the project
• ⚠No kill fee — client can cancel anytime and dispute your right to keep any payment
• ⚠IP assigned before payment is complete — you lose leverage if invoice is disputed
• ⚠No portfolio rights — client could prevent you from showing your own work
• ⚠Background IP not explicitly reserved — client may claim your tools and templates
• ⚠No client obligation clause — nothing requires them to deliver assets or feedback on time
• ⚠Indemnification without limitation — you indemnify client for any claims, including their own mistakes