Freelance contract checklist: what to discuss before work starts

1. Start with the people and the project

Write down who is commissioning the work and who will provide it. If a business is involved, identify the business as well as the person handling the project. Choose a project name that both sides will recognize later.

• Who can approve the brief and request changes?
• Who should receive questions, invoices, and finished work?
• Which documents or messages contain the current brief?

2. Describe the deliverables, not just the activity

A phrase such as ‘website design’ leaves room for different expectations. A more useful project description lists the pages or assets to be delivered, their format, and the work that is outside the scope.

• List the files, services, or outcomes you expect.
• Discuss any limits on revisions and what counts as a revision.
• Identify client materials or access needed before work can begin.

3. Discuss timing and payment together

Connect dates to the work and information needed to meet them. For payment, discuss the amount, currency, charging method, and due dates. Do not assume a deposit, late charge, or cancellation payment applies unless it is actually agreed and appropriate for the circumstances.

• Is the fee fixed, hourly, or tied to milestones?
• What information needs to appear on an invoice?
• How will both sides handle delayed feedback or a change in scope?

4. Walk through an example before you sign

For an imaginary illustration project, the discussion might cover three finished images, a first draft date, client feedback, and the final file format. Ask what would happen if a fourth image were requested halfway through. The answer can reveal an unresolved assumption before it becomes a problem.

• Describe the review and approval process.
• Discuss ownership, permitted use, and any portfolio use of the finished work.
• Check what happens to unfinished work if the project stops.

5. Keep the agreed version and follow through

Read the complete document, including attachments, before signing. Give both sides a copy of the same agreed version. Keep subsequent changes together with the agreement so you can understand what changed and when.

• Check that names, amounts, dates, and attachments are correct.
• Make sure unanswered questions are resolved before signature.
• Keep delivery records and confirmation of completion.

Further reading and local requirements

US requirements can vary by location. New York’s Department of Labor provides information about its Freelance Isn’t Free Act and a model contract. That resource is specific to New York; this checklist does not establish compliance in any jurisdiction.

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