What to Check in a Freelance Contract Before Signing

Payment Terms and Schedule

The most critical section of any freelance agreement is the payment clause. You need to ensure the contract explicitly states your rate, the currency of payment, and the specific triggers for invoicing. Do not rely on verbal assurances regarding when you will be paid.

Check for 'net' payment terms, which dictate how many days the client has to pay after receiving an invoice. In the UK, a standard term is 30 days. If the contract specifies 60 or 90 days, consider if your cash flow can support such a delay. Additionally, look for late payment interest clauses, which provide a financial incentive for the client to pay on time.

Scope of Work and Revisions

Scope creep is a common issue where a project expands beyond the original agreement without a corresponding increase in pay. Your contract should include a detailed description of the deliverables to prevent this. If the description is too broad, ask for it to be refined before signing.

It is also vital to check how many rounds of revisions are included in the price. Without a clear limit, a client might request endless changes. Ensure the following details are documented:

A clear list of project milestones and deadlines.

The specific number of revision cycles allowed.

The process and fees for work requested outside the original scope.

Responsibilities of the client, such as providing necessary assets or feedback within a set timeframe.

• A clear list of project milestones and deadlines.
• The specific number of revision cycles allowed.
• The process and fees for work requested outside the original scope.
• Responsibilities of the client, such as providing necessary assets or feedback within a set timeframe.

Intellectual Property and Usage Rights

Understanding who owns the work after it is completed is essential. Most clients will expect full ownership (an assignment of copyright), but this should usually only happen once full payment has been received. If you sign away rights upon creation rather than upon payment, you lose significant leverage if a payment dispute arises.

Check if the contract allows you to use the work in your professional portfolio. Some non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) or strict intellectual property clauses may prevent you from showcasing your contributions, which can hinder your ability to win future work. If you need to keep your portfolio updated, ensure a 'right to credit' or portfolio usage clause is included.

Termination and Notice Periods

Every freelance relationship eventually ends, and the contract should specify how that happens. A 'termination for convenience' clause allows either party to end the contract without a specific reason, provided they give notice. Check that the notice period is fair—usually between one and four weeks depending on the project length.

You should also look for a 'kill fee' or a pro-rata payment clause. This ensures that if the client cancels the project halfway through, you are still paid for the work you have already completed. Reviewing these practical points can be time-consuming, which is why tools like Jittan's ContractChecker are useful for highlighting red flags and fairness issues in your agreements before you commit.

Finally, ensure there is a clear process for dispute resolution. Ideally, the contract should be governed by the laws of your own jurisdiction (e.g., the laws of England and Wales) to avoid expensive legal complications abroad.