How do I create contracts for clients?

Identify the client, define services and deliverables, set payment terms with deposit, specify timeline, include IP ownership, add termination terms, comply with state law. Use AI contract generators like iContract to create professional, customized client contracts in under 5 minutes.

Creating contracts for clients is a recurring need for any service business. The efficient workflow:

  • One-time project → Service Agreement.
  • Ongoing relationship → Master Service Agreement (MSA) + Statement of Work (SOW) per project.
  • Retainer → Retainer Agreement.
  • Hourly consulting → Consulting Agreement with rate.
  • Your business name + client's legal name.
  • Effective date.
  • Project scope (itemized — be specific).
  • Total fee + payment schedule.
  • Deposit (25-50% upfront).
  • Late fees (1.5%/mo standard).
  • Timeline / milestones.
  • Deliverables format.
  • Number of revisions included.
  • Kill fee (cancellation).
  • Out-of-scope work pricing.
  • IP ownership (transfers on full payment).
  • Confidentiality.
  • Independent contractor status.
  • Limitation of liability.
  • Indemnification.
  • Force majeure.
  • Governing law (your state).
  • Dispute resolution (mediation first).
  • AI tools (iContract): answer 8-10 questions, get full contract in 2 minutes.
  • Templates: edit a saved master template.
  • Lawyer: $1,500-3,000 for custom drafting.
  • Send via iContract / DocuSign / Adobe Sign.
  • Recipient signs in browser.
  • Both parties get executed PDF + audit trail.
  • Save in contract management system.
  • Set reminders for milestones, deliverables, expiration.
  • Designers: Design Services Agreement (logo, web, print).
  • Developers: Software Development Agreement, MSA + SOW.
  • Writers: Writing Services Agreement (per piece or retainer).
  • Consultants: Consulting Services Agreement.
  • Photographers: Photography Contract (event, commercial, portrait).
  • Marketers: Marketing Services Agreement, retainer.
  • Coaches: Coaching Agreement.
  • Trainers/Therapists: Service Agreement + intake forms.
  • Contractors (trades): Construction Contract, Subcontractor Agreement.
  • Real estate agents: Listing Agreement, Buyer Representation.

Speed tip: build a master template once, then duplicate + customize per client. iContract saves your defaults so each new contract takes 60 seconds.

Start at icontract.pro/questionnaire.

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