Contracts
Freelance Contract Checklist
A practical checklist before you send or sign—so scope, IP, payment, and termination are explicit, not implied.
1 min readUpdated
contractslegalMSASOW
Contracts exist to prevent expensive misunderstandings. If it is not written, both sides will remember a different version later.
Commercial basics
- Parties, entity names, and signer authority
- Fees, currency, tax handling, and expense rules
- Invoicing schedule: milestones vs time-and-materials caps
- Late payment: interest, pause rights, and collection costs
Scope and changes
- Deliverables described without buzzwords.
- Review/approval windows (calendar days, not vibes).
- Change order process: how requests, pricing, and timelines are updated.
IP and confidentiality
IP is a product decision
Clarify who owns work product, when ownership transfers (often after payment), and any licensing for pre-existing materials or components.
Risk controls
- Liability cap tied to fees (where reasonable).
- Indemnities scoped narrowly.
- Termination for convenience vs cause—and what gets delivered/paid on exit.
If both sides still like each other at the end, your contract did its job.