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Freelance Contract

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Oct 29.2008

I’m sure some of you out there have freelanced and therefore, I was curious. In your opinion, what are some things that are necessary in a freelance contract? I’m interested in what makes a good contract, so no one gets screwed over.

If you could also supply a contract you have used in the past, that would be great.

This isn’t limited to PHP, but ASP, Java, etc.

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@YelgnidrocOct 29.2008 — I freelance in that I work for anyone that wants me.

I've never had a contract - they can work both for and against you - but I rely on a small number of regular clients that I know and trust, only taking on new clients rarely. When I do take on a new client I start with small jobs first, and if we're both happy the relationship develops, the use me more and they pass on my details to other potential clients.

I've been "bitten" once, it cost me about 200 GBP, I reckon I'd lose more business and time trying to tie in clients to contracts.

Also, if a client is of such a mind, he'll wriggle out of a contract or make your life so hard you'll want to walk away from him.

Just one point of view.

If you're working on massive "make or break" projects that span weeks / months then it's a different matter and you would more likely need a contract.
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@jim_kellerOct 30.2008 — I did freelance work for about two years, and I'm going to have to disagree with the previous poster. You will always want to get some money up front (a half, a third, or whatever you feel is necessary), and you will want to have the client sign a contract, even a basic one.

I have had many clients stop a project in the middle either because of lack of interest or lack of funds, and if you've already invested your time without getting a deposit, then you're simply left hanging. Some clients will also keep a project going forever if you don't clearly define a scope, and if you're getting paid at the end, this presents a big problem.

Additionally, my general feelings are that if a client is unwilling to sign a contract or pay any money up front, they probably won't want to pay at the end either.

This is all coming from experience, so please: learn from my mistakes!
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@BtrflybeetleOct 30.2008 — I agree with jim_keller in that you should get some sort of deposit upfront..I usually ask half. I have stopped charging set fees and charge an hourly fee now due to the fact that clients will get anything and everything out of you for a set price. The only thing is, if you are hourly and working without supervision, you might want to email the client daily with how many hours were worked and a detail of what was done during those hours. It is probably good to have a contract written up also to protect you and the client. This is what I do anyway.
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@YelgnidrocOct 30.2008 — I don't recall saying I don't take an upfront deposit. The OP was about a contract, not payment.

In almost all cases I take a 50% deposit up front as well. The case where I was bitten was where the client went out of business, due to family health problems, before the project was completed.

I also detail what I am doing in an e-mail, so you could say this forms a sort of contract. Bud I never get any documentation signed or legally validated - if it's not legally watertight a signature can be useless. Obviously on big projects, it may well be worth having a legal contract signed by the client.
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