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Service agreement outline

The topics a retainer agreement should cover.

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How to use it

  1. Type the client name, copy the outline, and use it as a checklist of topics your agreement should cover.
  2. Replace each [bracket] with your own terms, or take the headings to your own contract.
  3. Have a professional review the final wording before it is signed.

Service agreement outline: [Client name]

Parties and date

  • [Your business name and address]
  • [[Client name] legal name and address]
  • [Effective date]

The services

  • [What you will do for [Client name], as a short list]
  • [What is not included]

Fees and payment

  • [Amount and how often it is billed]
  • [Billing day and payment terms]
  • [Late payment: what happens, if anything]

Term and renewal

  • [Start date and length]
  • [Whether it renews, and how]

Cancellation

  • [How much notice either side gives]
  • [What is owed on cancellation]

What each side provides

  • [What you provide]
  • [What [Client name] provides, and by when]

Confidentiality

  • [What each side agrees to keep private]

Ownership of the work

  • [Who owns the work, and when ownership passes, for example on payment]

Liability and disputes

  • [Any limit on liability]
  • [How disagreements are handled first]
  • [Governing law: [place]]

Signatures

  • [Name, role, signature and date for each side]

Make it work

Three tips before you send it.

  • This is an outline of topics, not contract wording and not legal advice.
  • Keep each clause to a few plain sentences. Clients read short terms.
  • Agree cancellation notice and ownership early. They are the clauses people argue about later.

Want this to live in one place with your client instead of a document? See how a client portal works.

More to read and copy

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