TIL that paying for a proper contract template was the best $350 I ever spent

I used to just send a simple email to agree on a project, but got burned last year when a client refused to pay for extra revisions. I bought a freelance contract pack from a lawyer who works with creatives (it was about $350). The payment terms section alone saved me on a project last month when a client tried to delay. It clearly said final payment was due on delivery, not 'when they felt like it'. Has anyone else found a specific contract clause that saved their skin?

2 comments

2 Comments

victor_lane6011d ago

That part about "final payment was due on delivery" is so key. I read a blog post once that called that kind of vague wording a "hope-for-the-best" contract. My own template now has a late fee clause that kicks in after 14 days, and just having it there makes clients take the due date seriously. It's not about being mean, it's just making the rules clear for everyone from the start.

rubywebb11d ago

Actually, a good contract should state payment is due on acceptance of delivery, not just delivery itself. That small change protects you if they claim the work wasn't delivered right.