What to put in a freelance contract

A freelance contract is not about suing people. It is about preventing the misunderstandings that quietly cost you money. You do not need ten pages of legalese, you need a handful of clauses that set expectations clearly. Here are the ones that matter.

1. Scope, in plain language

Spell out exactly what is included, and ideally what is not. “Two rounds of revisions” is worth more than any other sentence in the document, because it gives you a clean place to say “that's an extra” without it being personal.

2. Change fees

State that work beyond the agreed scope is quoted and billed separately. This single clause is what turns scope creep from a loss into extra income.

3. Payment terms and late fees

Put the due date in writing (e.g. payment within 14 days) and state that late invoices accrue interest. In the UK you are entitled to statutory late-payment interest anyway, but naming it sets the tone, see our guide to late payment interest.

4. A deposit

For new clients, take a deposit up front (often 30 to 50%). It filters out time-wasters and means you are never fully exposed if a client goes quiet.

5. A kill fee

If the client cancels mid-project, agree what you are owed for work done. Without it, a cancelled project can mean weeks of unpaid work.

6. IP transfers on payment

State clearly that ownership of the final work passes to the client only once they have paid in full. It is your strongest, most polite leverage, and it means you deliver on terms, not on trust.