Your freelance contract toolkit (free UK templates)

Why you need a contract (even when it feels awkward)

Nobody likes the contract conversation. It feels formal, slightly confrontational, like you don't trust the person. But here's what a contract actually says: "I take this seriously, and I want us both to be clear on what we've agreed."

Without one, you're relying on memory, goodwill, and email threads. And when a project goes sideways — scope creep, late payments, disagreements about what was included — you've got nothing to fall back on.

A contract protects you. It also protects your client. That's why it exists.

The five clauses every freelance contract needs

1. Scope of work

What are you delivering? Be specific. Not "website design" but "a 5-page responsive website including homepage, about page, services page, blog page, and contact page. Includes 2 rounds of revisions."

The more specific your scope, the easier it is to say "that's outside what we agreed" when scope creep starts.

2. Payment terms

How much, when, and how. Cover these three things:

• Total fee and any deposit (standard is 30-50% upfront)
• Payment schedule — on completion, monthly milestones, or split payments
• Payment deadline — "within 14 days of invoice" is standard for freelancers
• Late payment interest — you're legally entitled to charge Bank of England base rate + 8% on overdue invoices under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts Act 1998

3. Intellectual property (IP)

Who owns the work? Typically, IP transfers to the client on full payment. Until they've paid, you own everything. Put this in writing.

This single clause has saved countless freelancers from clients who disappear after receiving the work but before paying.

4. Revision limits

Without a cap, revisions can go on forever. "Includes 2 rounds of revisions. Additional revisions charged at £X per hour" is fair and clear.

5. Termination

Either side should be able to end the contract with reasonable notice (14-30 days is standard). Include what happens to work already completed and fees already paid.

Other clauses worth including

• Confidentiality: You won't share their business information. They won't share your pricing with competitors.
• Portfolio rights: Can you show the work in your portfolio? Get this agreed upfront.
• Force majeure: What happens if something genuinely out of your control delays the project.
• Governing law: For UK freelancers, state that the contract is governed by the laws of England and Wales (or Scotland, if applicable).

A note on IR35

If you're contracting through an agency or working with a medium/large company, IR35 might apply. This is HMRC's way of checking whether you're genuinely self-employed or effectively an employee.

The key indicators of genuine self-employment:

• You can send a substitute to do the work
• The client controls what you deliver, not how you do it
• You have multiple clients (not just one)
• You provide your own equipment

If IR35 applies, it's usually the client's responsibility to determine your status (for medium/large businesses). But your contract wording matters — it should reflect the reality of how you work.

Statement of work (SOW) vs contract

A contract covers the overall relationship (payment terms, IP, termination). A statement of work covers a specific project under that contract (deliverables, timeline, milestones).

For ongoing client relationships, you sign one contract and then a new SOW for each project. It saves you both from re-negotiating terms every time.

Get it signed digitally

E-signatures are legally binding in the UK under the Electronic Communications Act 2000. You don't need wet ink, and you definitely don't need to post anything.

Send the contract, the client clicks to sign, you both get a copy. Done in five minutes.