Contract review guide
Freelance / Independent Contractor Agreement review: what to check before you sign
Freelance agreements decide when you get paid, who owns your work, and how easily a client can walk away. The most expensive clauses are usually the quiet ones: unlimited revisions, IP transfer before payment, and 60-day payment terms.
Typical signers: freelancers, independent contractors, and solo consultants.
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Analyze my freelance contract →The 5 most common Freelance contract red flags
1. IP transfers before full payment
Ownership of your work should transfer only when the invoice is paid. Otherwise a non-paying client keeps your work anyway.
2. Unlimited revisions
'Until client satisfaction' is an open-ended obligation. Cap revisions in rounds and price extra rounds separately.
3. Net-60 or net-90 payment terms
Long payment terms turn you into your client's bank. Net-14 or net-30 with late fees is defensible market practice.
4. Termination for convenience without a kill fee
If the client can cancel any time without paying for work in progress, all project risk sits with you.
5. Broad indemnification
You should not insure the client against every possible claim. Limit indemnity to your own IP infringement and misconduct.
Pre-signing checklist
- Payment terms net-30 or shorter, with a late-payment clause?
- Deposit or milestone payments for larger projects?
- IP transfers only upon full payment?
- Revisions capped, scope-change process defined?
- Kill fee or payment for work performed on early termination?
- Liability capped at fees paid?
Frequently asked questions
What is a kill fee?
A fixed amount (often 25-50% of the remaining project value) the client pays if they cancel the project early. It compensates you for reserved time and lost opportunities.
Should I accept 'work for hire'?
Work-for-hire means the client owns everything from the moment of creation. It is acceptable when it is priced in — but pair it with payment-conditional transfer so you keep leverage until you are paid.
Can I keep the right to show work in my portfolio?
Yes — add a portfolio clause. Most clients accept it, sometimes with a delay or anonymization for sensitive projects.
Review other contract types
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Laws differ per jurisdiction — for high-stakes contracts, consult a qualified lawyer.
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