Most freelance conflicts are scope misunderstandings dressed as personality clashes. A written agreement beats optimism—still, have a lawyer review templates for your region.
Scope and deliverables
List what “done” means: file formats, number of revisions, review windows, and what is explicitly out of scope. Attach examples when possible.
Laws differ by country and state. This article is general education, not tailored counsel.
Payment milestones
Deposits for new clients, milestone billing for multi-week work, and kill fees for cancelled slots protect cash flow. Calendar due dates to invoices—do not rely on memory.
IP and licenses
Specify when rights transfer—often after final payment. If you retain portfolio rights, say how anonymized samples may be used.
Change requests
Define how rewrites or new features are priced—hourly blocks, change orders, or retainer top-ups. “Small tweak” is not a universal unit of measure.
Red flags in client terms
- Unlimited revisions forever.
- Payment 90+ days with no deposit.
- Broad indemnity you cannot insure.
Termination
Include notice periods, payment for work completed, and handoff of files. Clean endings produce referrals; ghosting produces chargebacks.
Contracts are memos to future-stressed you.
FAQ
Do I need a lawyer for a one-page SOW? Recommended before scaling or entering regulated industries.
Electronic signatures? Often valid—confirm locally.
Pair with retainers vs projects and site terms.