Contractor agreement
Independent Contractor Agreement for Freelancers
A starting-point agreement for hiring freelancers as independent contractors, or for working under one yourself: scope of work, payment terms, confidentiality, and ownership of the work product.
This is a general starting-point template, not legal advice. Have an attorney review it before use.
Create the agreementNeed to bill for the work instead? See the Freelancers invoice template or quote template.
What matters most for creative and digital work
Creative and digital engagements live or die on who owns the output and how changes get billed.
- Exactly when ownership of the finished files transfers to the client - usually on final payment, not on delivery
- Usage rights: can the client use the work commercially, and can you show it in your own portfolio
- How many rounds of revisions are included before extra work is billed separately
- A kill fee if the client cancels partway through the project
- How the client's confidential materials - unreleased branding, product info - are protected
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a written agreement when I hire freelancers as contractors?
- It's recommended any time you're paying someone as an independent contractor rather than an employee - a written agreement protects both sides on scope, payment terms, and ownership of the work if something goes wrong.
- What if I'm one of the freelancers being hired, not the one hiring?
- The same template works from either side - it covers scope of work, payment terms, the independent-contractor relationship, confidentiality, and ownership of work product regardless of which side you're on.
- Is this legal advice?
- No. This is a general starting-point template covering common clauses - have a licensed attorney review it before you rely on it.
- Is the template free to use?
- Yes - fill it out and download the PDF for free, with no account required.