Independent Contractor Agreement Template
Secure your professional relationships with a clear, balanced independent contractor agreement. This template ensures both parties understand their obligations and ownership rights.
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How to use this template
- Fill in the project details and payment terms.
- Review the clauses to ensure they fit your needs.
- Download the document as a PDF or copy the text.
- Sign the agreement with your client or contractor.
When to use this template
Use an independent contractor agreement whenever you hire a freelancer for a defined piece of work, or when you work as a freelancer yourself. It sets out the services, the fee, who owns the work and how either side can end the arrangement.
A written agreement also documents that the relationship is meant to be independent: the contractor decides how the work is done, uses their own tools and can work for other clients. Tax and labor authorities look at how the work is actually done, not only at the contract, so the day-to-day reality has to match what you sign.
Check before you sign
- The scope of work is concrete enough that both sides know when the job is done.
- The fee, the invoicing moment and the payment term are clear (for example 14 or 30 days after the invoice).
- Ownership of the work is settled: does it transfer on payment, or does the contractor keep the rights and grant a license?
- The contractor is not treated like an employee: no fixed hours set by you, no exclusivity unless agreed, own equipment.
- Both sides know how much notice is needed to end the agreement early.
Full text of the independent contractor agreement template
This is the complete template. Words in [brackets] are filled in automatically when you use the form above; where the template has options, the form shows only the one you choose.
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR AGREEMENT
1. Parties
This Independent Contractor Agreement is entered into on [Effective date] between [Client name], located at [Client address] ("Client"), and [Contractor name], located at [Contractor address] ("Contractor").
2. Services
The Contractor agrees to perform the following services for the Client: [Description of the services].
3. Term
This agreement begins on the effective date and will continue until the services are completed or until the agreement is terminated by either party according to the terms herein.
4. Fees
If you choose: Fixed fee
The Client shall pay the Contractor a fixed fee of [Fee amount] [Currency] for the completion of the services.
If you choose: Hourly rate
The Client shall pay the Contractor at an hourly rate of [Fee amount] [Currency] for the work performed.
5. Invoicing and Payment
The Contractor will submit invoices to the Client. The Client agrees to pay all undisputed invoice amounts within [Payment due] days of receipt.
6. Expenses
The Client will reimburse the Contractor for reasonable business expenses incurred in connection with the services, provided such expenses are pre-approved by the Client in writing.
7. Independent Contractor Status
The Contractor is an independent contractor and not an employee of the Client. The Contractor is solely responsible for all taxes, insurance, and professional tools required to perform the services.
The Contractor is not entitled to any employee benefits provided by the Client, and nothing in this agreement creates a partnership or joint venture.
8. Intellectual Property
If you choose: Client owns work product after full payment
Upon full payment of the fees, the Contractor assigns to the Client all rights in the work product created specifically for the Client under this Agreement. The Contractor keeps ownership of its pre-existing materials, tools and know-how, and grants the Client a non-exclusive, perpetual license to use any of them that are incorporated in the work product.
If you choose: Contractor keeps ownership, Client gets a license
The Contractor retains all ownership and intellectual property rights to the work product created under this agreement, granting the Client a non-exclusive license to use the work for its intended purpose.
9. Confidentiality
The Contractor agrees to keep all non-public information received from the Client confidential and will not disclose such information to any third party without the Client's prior written consent. This obligation continues after this Agreement ends.
10. Warranties
The Contractor warrants that all services will be performed in a professional and workmanlike manner, consistent with industry standards.
11. Limitation of Liability
Neither party shall be liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from this agreement.
The total liability of either party for any claim related to this agreement shall not exceed the total fees paid by the Client to the Contractor in the 12 months preceding the claim.
12. Termination
Either party may terminate this agreement for any reason by providing [Termination notice] days of written notice to the other party.
In the event of termination, the Client shall pay the Contractor for all work completed up to the date of termination.
13. Governing Law
This agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of [Governing law].
14. General Provisions
This document constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes all prior discussions. Any amendments must be made in writing and signed by both parties.
If any part of this agreement is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in full effect. Neither party may assign this agreement without the other party's written consent.
This Agreement may be signed in counterparts and with electronic signatures, which together form one agreement.
Signatures
Client
Signature: ____________________
Name and title: ____________________
Date: ____________________
Contractor
Signature: ____________________
Name and title: ____________________
Date: ____________________
Frequently asked questions
What is this contract for?
This agreement is used when a business hires a freelancer or independent professional to perform specific tasks without becoming a full-time employee.
What should this contract include?
It should clearly define the scope of work, payment terms, intellectual property ownership, and the legal status of the contractor.
Is this template legally binding?
It can become legally binding once signed by both parties. However, this is a general template and not legal advice; you should have a lawyer review it for your specific jurisdiction.
Who owns the work created under this agreement?
Ownership depends on the selection made in the IP ownership clause. It can either be transferred to the client or retained by the contractor.
Can I edit the text?
Yes. Once you download or copy the text, you can modify any clause to better suit your specific business arrangement.
Is my data stored on your servers?
No. All data entered into the template stays in your browser and is not stored or collected by gofirmhub.
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