Client Contract Template

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Do you ever find yourself having to create new contracts with clients regularly? If so, you're not alone. Building contracts can be a pain in the neck, but it's essential for maintaining good relationships with clients (and protecting yourself from litigation!).

That's why it's crucial to have a well-crafted client contract template at your disposal. A good contract template will help you save time and avoid common contract disputes.

This blog post will walk you through creating effective contract templates. Let's get started!

Note: If you'd like free access to a large library of client contract templates, try Bonsai. Simply sign up, select a specific role and edit these pre-made legally reviewed templates. Claim your 14-day free trial here.

What is a client contract or client agreement?

A client contract or client agreement is a legal agreement between two or more people that outlines the terms and conditions of a service or product. The legal contract could be construction, consultation, or service contract.

Everything from contract terms to font and layout can be customized to the contract template to make the document perfect for your needs.

What's the anatomy of a contract agreement?

A contract agreement typically includes the following:

  • An overview of what the agreement will cover.
  • Definitions of key terms used in the agreement.
  • The parties involved and their respective responsibilities.
  • Terms, conditions, and timelines for completion of work or services are specified in the formal contract.

How do I create a client contract template?

To create a contract template, you must gather all pertinent information about your prospective clients. The information includes their company or service provider name, contact information, and business preferences.

Once you have the information, you can begin creating your contract template based on their individual needs. You should consider price ranges, delivery times, and payment terms.

After you have finalized the content of your contract template, it is time to print out copies for each of your potential clients.

Before signing it, all parties should read it carefully and ensure both parties understand their obligations. It is better to seek legal advice from a lawyer before signing off.

The five simple steps below are steps to creating a contract that is a legally binding document.

Step 1: Define the Scope of Work

Before starting a project, it is crucial to understand what the client wants. Often clients have multiple demands and expectations that are not always clear from the start.

Ensure things stay on track, including details about who will be responsible for each task in your contract template - making it easier for everyone to understand and follow through with deadlines.

Step 2: Create Terms and Conditions

Regarding contracts, the key is to be clear and concise. Make sure to state any exclusions, warranties, damages, Etc. Doing so will save both time and arguments in the future.

You must keep in mind the expectations of both parties when drafting these agreements - this goes for anything from payment terms onwards! Having well-defined terms ensures that all details are covered before either party commits themselves too far.

This way, there are no surprises or discrepancies later on, which could cause severe problems for your business.

Step 3: Set Up Payment Schedule

A payment details plan is essential to ensuring disputes don't arise. Everything clearly defined and included in the contract will prepare both parties better for any eventuality. Including all important information such as due dates, payments, etcetera can save you time.

You can also specify the terms and conditions of the payment terms, for example, interest rates or termination procedures, if one party breaches the agreement.

Step 4: Specify Deadlines and Delivery Dates

Setting deadlines and delivery dates are essential in ensuring a smooth workflow between parties. Without this agreement, there's the potential for misunderstandings or problems that all parties might not resolve until it gets too late.

A good contract template will help to keep track of progress while specifying exactly what is in the final deliverable date.

By working out these details upfront, everyone will know where they stand, and the parties can appropriately address any issues without drama.

Final Steps

Creating a contract template that is easy to understand, printable, and fits your business needs is the final step in creating an effective contract strategy.

After all, you wouldn't want to spend time tweaking every contract you create. The tweaking would be time lost that could use on significant tasks. It's essential to include all the necessary clauses - price, delivery time, returns, Etc.

Make sure everything is covered in black and white so there can be no doubt about what each party expects from the other. Finally, use your agreement templates consistently across all contracts with clients.

How can I use contract templates to improve my business?

Contract templates can help to improve the flow and communication between you and your clients. The legal document will help to ensure that all questions are answered, that payment is forthcoming, and that both parties understand their obligations to the contract.

You can also keep track of important dates and milestones using an agreement template. In addition to improving business communication, contract templates can help to simplify legal paperwork.

Having all terms and conditions laid out in advance can quickly resolve any misunderstandings or disputes.

What are the advantages of using a client agreement template instead of creating an individual one for each project?

A contract template can save time because it is already established and written by specific legal requirements. Additionally, a customized contract can be more challenging to write than a pre-existing template, resulting in slower project turnaround times.

Finally, a pre-existing contract can help avoid misunderstandings between you and your client.

Conclusion

Contracts are essential to business relationships and ensuring that all arrangements can help prevent potential disputes. By creating a contract template, you can ensure that all contract details are clear and concise.

Additionally, having a contract in place can help to build trust and credibility between you and your client.

Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about this template.

Where can I find free contract templates?

You can find a free contract template online. You can sign up with Bonsai to download the document template, and this contract template makes the process of creating a contract easier and faster.

Can I include clauses specific to my business?

Yes, you can include clauses specific to your business and industry in your contract template. Ensure all clauses are clear, concise, and understandable for you and your clients. You can add any relevant disclaimers or terms of use at the beginning of the document. You may add a service agreement to your product purchase agreement. This document outlines any services or warranties associated with the product.

When creating an effective contract template, it is essential to remember the legalities behind contract creation. Make sure that all parties involved understand the agreement before proceeding. Additionally, it's crucial to include non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), confidentiality clauses, indemnity agreements, and warranty statements. Once you understand your client's needs and expectations, it's time to start formatting the document to meet those needs. You can customize the document to be easily customizable for each client. This way, you'll be able to ensure that the contract meets their specific needs and expectations.

When creating an effective contract template, it is essential to remember the legalities behind contract creation. Make sure that all parties involved understand the agreement before proceeding. Additionally, it's crucial to include non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), confidentiality clauses, indemnity agreements, and warranty statements. Once you understand your client's needs and expectations, it's time to start formatting the document to meet those needs. You can customize the document to be easily customizable for each client. This way, you'll be able to ensure that the contract meets their specific needs and expectations.

How can I ensure my contract is easy to read and understand?

The best way to ensure that your contract is easy to read and understand is to draft it first and ensure that each paragraph addresses all the key issues. Start by writing down the main points of your agreement in bullet form and ensuring everyone is on the same page when interpreting your contract. Use standard business language when drafting your contract so anyone can understand it easily.

Are there any legal implications with signing a client contract?

Legal implications come with signing a contract, and it's essential to know them before you sign anything. By being aware of potential legal issues, business owners, independent contractors, and their clients avoid potential lawsuits. An independent contractor is a person or corporation who provides services under a written Independent contractor agreement or verbal agreements. It would be better that business owners and independent contractors have a law firm review their contract before they draft it. The law firm will help ensure that all terms and conditions are clear and understood by all parties involved, not against local laws, and follow governing law. If the contract is breached, then all parties may take legal action. However, not all contracts are legally binding, so it's essential to read the fine print carefully before making any decisions.

Template preview

Client Contract Template

Client Contract

Client Contract
First Name
Last Name
Acme LLC.
Client
First Name
Last Name
Corporation Corp.

This Contract is between Client (the "Client") and Acme LLC, a California corporation (the "Contractor").

The Contract is dated [the date both parties sign].

1. WORK AND PAYMENT.

1.1 Project. The Client is hiring the Contractor to do the following: [SERVICES DESCRIPTION]

1.2 Schedule. The Contractor will begin work on [DATE] and will continue until the work is completed. This Contract can be ended by either Client or Contractor at any time, pursuant to the terms of Section 6, Term and Termination.

1.3 Payment. The Client will pay the Contractor a rate of [PROJECT RATE] per hour. Of this, the Client will pay the Contractor [DEPOSIT AMOUNT] before work begins.

1.4 Expenses. The Client will reimburse the Contractor's expenses. Expenses do not need to be pre-approved by the Client.

1.5 Invoices. The Contractor will invoice the Client at [INVOICE FREQUENCY]. The Client agrees to pay the amount owed within [X DAYS TO PAY] days of receiving the invoice. Payment after that date will incur a late fee of [LATE FEE PERCENTAGE]% per month on the outstanding amount.

1.6 Support. The Contractor will not provide support for any deliverable once the Client accepts it, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

2. OWNERSHIP AND LICENSES.

2.1 Client Owns All Work Product. As part of this job, the Contractor is creating “work product” for the Client. To avoid confusion, work product is the finished product, as well as drafts, notes, materials, mockups, hardware, designs, inventions, patents, code, and anything else that the Contractor works on—that is, conceives, creates, designs, develops, invents, works on, or reduces to practice—as part of this project, whether before the date of this Contract or after. The Contractor hereby gives the Client this work product once the Client pays for it in full. This means the Contractor is giving the Client all of its rights, titles, and interests in and to the work product (including intellectual property rights), and the Client will be the sole owner of it. The Client can use the work product however it wants or it can decide not to use the work product at all. The Client, for example, can modify, destroy, or sell it, as it sees fit.

2.2 Contractor's Use Of Work Product. Once the Contractor gives the work product to the Client, the Contractor does not have any rights to it, except those that the Client explicitly gives the Contractor here. The Client gives permission to use the work product as part of portfolios and websites, in galleries, and in other media, so long as it is to showcase the work and not for any other purpose. The Client does not give permission to sell or otherwise use the work product to make money or for any other commercial use. The Client is not allowed to take back this license, even after the Contract ends.

2.3 Contractor's Help Securing Ownership. In the future, the Client may need the Contractor's help to show that the Client owns the work product or to complete the transfer. The Contractor agrees to help with that. For example, the Contractor may have to sign a patent application. The Client will pay any required expenses for this. If the Client can’t find the Contractor, the Contractor agrees that the Client can act on the Contractor's behalf to accomplish the same thing. The following language gives the Client that right: if the Client can’t find the Contractor after spending reasonable effort trying to do so, the Contractor hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Client as the Contractor's agent and attorney-in-fact, which appointment is coupled with an interest, to act for the Contractor and on the Contractor's behalf to execute, verify, and file the required documents and to take any other legal action to accomplish the purposes of paragraph 2.1 (Client Owns All Work Product).

2.4 Contractor's IP That Is Not Work Product. During the course of this project, the Contractor might use intellectual property that the Contractor owns or has licensed from a third party, but that does not qualify as “work product.” This is called “background IP.” Possible examples of background IP are pre-existing code, type fonts, properly-licensed stock photos, and web application tools. The Contractor is not giving the Client this background IP. But, as part of the Contract, the Contractor is giving the Client a right to use and license (with the right to sublicense) the background IP to develop, market, sell, and support the Client’s products and services. The Client may use this background IP worldwide and free of charge, but it cannot transfer its rights to the background IP (except as allowed in Section 11.1 (Assignment)). The Client cannot sell or license the background IP separately from its products or services. The Contractor cannot take back this grant, and this grant does not end when the Contract is over.

2.5 Contractor's Right To Use Client IP. The Contractor may need to use the Client’s intellectual property to do its job. For example, if the Client is hiring the Contractor to build a website, the Contractor may have to use the Client’s logo. The Client agrees to let the Contractor use the Client’s intellectual property and other intellectual property that the Client controls to the extent reasonably necessary to do the Contractor's job. Beyond that, the Client is not giving the Contractor any intellectual property rights, unless specifically stated otherwise in this Contract.

3. COMPETITIVE ENGAGEMENTS. The Contractor won’t work for a competitor of the Client until this Contract ends. To avoid confusion, a competitor is any third party that develops, manufactures, promotes, sells, licenses, distributes, or provides products or services that are substantially similar to the Client’s products or services. A competitor is also a third party that plans to do any of those things. The one exception to this restriction is if the Contractor asks for permission beforehand and the Client agrees to it in writing. If the Contractor uses employees or subcontractors, the Contractor must make sure they follow the obligations in this paragraph, as well.

4. NON-SOLICITATION. Until this Contract ends, the Contractor won’t: (a) encourage Client employees or service providers to stop working for the Client; (b) encourage Client customers or clients to stop doing business with the Client; or (c) hire anyone who worked for the Client over the 12-month period before the Contract ended. The one exception is if the Contractor puts out a general ad and someone who happened to work for the Client responds. In that case, the Contractor may hire that candidate. The Contractor promises that it won’t do anything in this paragraph on behalf of itself or a third party.

5. REPRESENTATIONS.

5.1 Overview. This section contains important promises between the parties.

5.2 Authority To Sign. Each party promises to the other party that it has the authority to enter into this Contract and to perform all of its obligations under this Contract.

5.3 Contractor Has Right To Give Client Work Product. The Contractor promises that it owns the work product, that the Contractor is able to give the work product to the Client, and that no other party will claim that it owns the work product. If the Contractor uses employees or subcontractors, the Contractor also promises that these employees and subcontractors have signed contracts with the Contractor giving the Contractor any rights that the employees or subcontractors have related to the Contractor's background IP and work product.

5.4 Contractor Will Comply With Laws. The Contractor promises that the manner it does this job, its work product, and any background IP it uses comply with applicable U.S. and foreign laws and regulations.

5.5 Work Product Does Not Infringe. The Contractor promises that its work product does not and will not infringe on someone else’s intellectual property rights, that the Contractor has the right to let the Client use the background IP, and that this Contract does not and will not violate any contract that the Contractor has entered into or will enter into with someone else.

5.6 Client Will Review Work. The Client promises to review the work product, to be reasonably available to the Contractor if the Contractor has questions regarding this project, and to provide timely feedback and decisions.

5.7 Client-Supplied Material Does Not Infringe. If the Client provides the Contractor with material to incorporate into the work product, the Client promises that this material does not infringe on someone else’s intellectual property rights.

6. TERM AND TERMINATION. This Contract is ongoing until the work is completed. Either party may end this Contract for any reason by sending an email or letter to the other party, informing the recipient that the sender is ending the Contract and that the Contract will end in 7 days. The Contract officially ends once that time has passed. The party that is ending the Contract must provide notice by taking the steps explained in Section 11.4. The Contractor must immediately stop working as soon as it receives this notice, unless the notice says otherwise. The Client will pay the Contractor for the work done up until when the Contract ends and will reimburse the Contractor for any agreed-upon, non-cancellable expenses. The following sections don’t end even after the Contract ends: 2 (Ownership and Licenses); 3 (Competitive Engagements); 4 (Non-Solicitation); 5 (Representations); 8 (Confidential Information); 9 (Limitation of Liability); 10 (Indemnity); and 11 (General).

7. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR. The Client is hiring the Contractor as an independent contractor. The following statements accurately reflect their relationship:

- The Contractor will use its own equipment, tools, and material to do the work.- The Client will not control how the job is performed on a day-to-day basis. Rather, the Contractor is responsible for determining when, where, and how it will carry out the work.- The Client will not provide the Contractor with any training.- The Client and the Contractor do not have a partnership or employer-employee relationship.- The Contractor cannot enter into contracts, make promises, or act on behalf of the Client.- The Contractor is not entitled to the Client’s benefits (e.g., group insurance, retirement benefits, retirement plans, vacation days).- The Contractor is responsible for its own taxes.- The Client will not withhold social security and Medicare taxes or make payments for disability insurance, unemployment insurance, or workers compensation for the Contractor or any of the Contractor's employees or subcontractors.

8. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.

8.1 Overview. This Contract imposes special restrictions on how the Client and the Contractor must handle confidential information. These obligations are explained in this section.

8.2 The Client’s Confidential Information. While working for the Client, the Contractor may come across, or be given, Client information that is confidential. This is information like customer lists, business strategies, research & development notes, statistics about a website, and other information that is private. The Contractor promises to treat this information as if it is the Contractor's own confidential information. The Contractor may use this information to do its job under this Contract, but not for anything else. For example, if the Client lets the Contractor use a customer list to send out a newsletter, the Contractor cannot use those email addresses for any other purpose. The one exception to this is if the Client gives the Contractor written permission to use the information for another purpose, the Contractor may use the information for that purpose, as well. When this Contract ends, the Contractor must give back or destroy all confidential information, and confirm that it has done so. The Contractor promises that it will not share confidential information with a third party, unless the Client gives the Contractor written permission first. The Contractor must continue to follow these obligations, even after the Contract ends. The Contractor's responsibilities only stop if the Contractor can show any of the following: (i) that the information was already public when the Contractor came across it; (ii) the information became public after the Contractor came across it, but not because of anything the Contractor did or didn’t do; (iii) the Contractor already knew the information when the Contractor came across it and the Contractor didn’t have any obligation to keep it secret; (iv) a third party provided the Contractor with the information without requiring that the Contractor keep it a secret; or (v) the Contractor created the information on its own, without using anything belonging to the Client.

8.3 Third-Party Confidential Information. It’s possible the Client and the Contractor each have access to confidential information that belongs to third parties. The Client and the Contractor each promise that it will not share with the other party confidential information that belongs to third parties, unless it is allowed to do so. If the Client or the Contractor is allowed to share confidential information with the other party and does so, the sharing party promises to tell the other party in writing of any special restrictions regarding that information.

9. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. Neither party is liable for breach-of-contract damages that the breaching party could not reasonably have foreseen when it entered this Contract.

10. INDEMNITY.

10.1 Overview. This section transfers certain risks between the parties if a third party sues or goes after the Client or the Contractor or both. For example, if the Client gets sued for something that the Contractor did, then the Contractor may promise to come to the Client’s defense or to reimburse the Client for any losses.

10.2 Client Indemnity. In this Contract, the Contractor agrees to indemnify the Client (and its affiliates and their directors, officers, employees, and agents) from and against all liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) related to a third-party claim or proceeding arising out of: (i) the work the Contractor has done under this Contract; (ii) a breach by the Contractor of its obligations under this Contract; or (iii) a breach by the Contractor of the promises it is making in Section 5 (Representations).

10.3 Contractor Indemnity. In this Contract, the Client agrees to indemnify the Contractor (and its affiliates and their directors, officers, employees, and agents) from and against liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) related to a third-party claim or proceeding arising out of a breach by the Client of its obligations under this Contract.

11. GENERAL.

11.1 Assignment. This Contract applies only to the Client and the Contractor. The Contractor cannot assign its rights or delegate its obligations under this Contract to a third-party (other than by will or intestate), without first receiving the Client’s written permission. In contrast, the Client may assign its rights and delegate its obligations under this Contract without the Contractor's permission. This is necessary in case, for example, another Client buys out the Client or if the Client decides to sell the work product that results from this Contract.

11.2 Arbitration. As the exclusive means of initiating adversarial proceedings to resolve any dispute arising under this Contract, a party may demand that the dispute be resolved by arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association in accordance with its commercial arbitration rules.

11.3 Modification; Waiver. To change anything in this Contract, the Client and the Contractor must agree to that change in writing and sign a document showing their contract. Neither party can waive its rights under this Contract or release the other party from its obligations under this Contract, unless the waiving party acknowledges it is doing so in writing and signs a document that says so.

11.4 Notices.

(a) Over the course of this Contract, one party may need to send a notice to the other party. For the notice to be valid, it must be in writing and delivered in one of the following ways: personal delivery, email, or certified or registered mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested). The notice must be delivered to the party’s address listed at the end of this Contract or to another address that the party has provided in writing as an appropriate address to receive notice.

(b) The timing of when a notice is received can be very important. To avoid confusion, a valid notice is considered received as follows: (i) if delivered personally, it is considered received immediately; (ii) if delivered by email, it is considered received upon acknowledgement of receipt; (iii) if delivered by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested), it is considered received upon receipt as indicated by the date on the signed receipt. If a party refuses to accept notice or if notice cannot be delivered because of a change in address for which no notice was given, then it is considered received when the notice is rejected or unable to be delivered. If the notice is received after 5:00pm on a business day at the location specified in the address for that party, or on a day that is not a business day, then the notice is considered received at 9:00am on the next business day.

11.5 Severability. This section deals with what happens if a portion of the Contract is found to be unenforceable. If that’s the case, the unenforceable portion will be changed to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, unless that change is not permitted by law, in which case the portion will be disregarded. If any portion of the Contract is changed or disregarded because it is unenforceable, the rest of the Contract is still enforceable.

11.6 Signatures. The Client and the Contractor must sign this document using Bonsai’s e-signing system. These electronic signatures count as originals for all purposes.

11.7 Governing Law. The laws of the state of California govern the rights and obligations of the Client and the Contractor under this Contract, without regard to conflict of law principles of that state.

11.8 Entire Contract. This Contract represents the parties’ final and complete understanding of this job and the subject matter discussed in this Contract. This Contract supersedes all other contracts (both written and oral) between the parties.

THE PARTIES HERETO AGREE TO THE FOREGOING AS EVIDENCED BY THEIR SIGNATURES BELOW.

Client Contract
First Name
Last Name
Acme LLC.
Client
First Name
Last Name
Corporation Corp.