Source
r/web_design•
mrboris

Web Contracts

Does anyone have a cookie cutter contract they use for clients, something where you insert [clients name], [hours], [specs], etc. I haven't up until this point created any contracts for my freelance work but I do send invoices. It would be nice to have a signed document to prevent a certain amount of changes without them agreeing to a cost increase.

I guess I'm mainly looking for an example contract to get started in the right place.

edit: thanks for all the great links everyone, Feel free to keep adding them, but I think I've got enough to go off of.

Posted Feb 23, 2010, 2:06 AM UTC · edited

1312
Kingswoodmissal•

24ways.org put some good info together a while back. They include a sample (plain English contract) but the article is worth a read.

Here it is

6
mrborisOP•

Thanks! Definitely going to be using this as a reference when writing one.

2
brianjherman•

This was posted on reddit a while ago: html doc pdf

6
PacifistRiot•

Take a look at my post here. :)

3
mrborisOP•

I tried to search for this :)

1
druzel•

We use (and love!) Freshbooks as our online invoicing system. It offers a way to create estimates. Instead of a contract, simply outline detailed requirements in your estimate and state that any changes will be charged extra by the hour (or however you charge for that). At the end of the project, just convert your estimate to an invoice and send it out along with any additional items or expenses.

Works well for us and we have had no complaints from clients. We then send out quarterly invoices for hosting or any other ongoing fees.

Hope this helps.

3
sprshrp•

I know folks who use "Business and Legal Forms for Graphic Designers" - it's a book that contains boilerplate contracts that can be used for web work, although it's more targeted at graphic designers.

http://www.amazon.com/Business-Legal-Forms-Graphic-Designers/dp/1581152744

2
chris8185•

Freelance terms and conditions courtesy of WakeUpLater (not my website), but I used his toc until I wrote my own with the help of a lawyer:

Website Freelancer Terms and Conditions

2
goobersmooch•

I stopped doing 'contracts' and moved to a retainer type system. I charge x amount of dollars per month per customer, with a contract that lasts for y length of time and that gives them z numbers of hours a month. it's kind of like a cell phone contract.

I also retain ownership of their site design.

1
Confucius_says•

retaining ownership is quite steep. But I agree with the retainer system. I do something similar for projects over 1,000 dollars.

1
goobersmooch•

they dont have to sign with me. I lay everything out in very plain english. I have a day job so i basically get to pick what I want to do and if im going to do work for someone else, then its going to go my way.

I only keep the ownership of the design in the event of non payment. If I'm paid up, then I don't really care and they can have it. It's just a method that I have to yank their site offline if I don't get paid.

2
Chicken-n-Waffles•

Very smart being to choose your customers. Kudos to you for finding the way to do it.

There are those that are just not worth it.

2