Contractor Agreement Template
A comprehensive independent contractor agreement covering scope of work, payment terms, intellectual property, confidentiality, and termination. Protect your business and set clear expectations.
Parties & Scope of Work
Define who is involved and what work will be performed
Agreement Header
Independent Contractor Agreement
This Independent Contractor Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into as of [Date] by and between:
Client: [Company Name], located at [Address]
Contractor: [Contractor Name / Business Name], located at [Address]
Scope of Work: Contractor shall perform the following services: [Detailed description of deliverables, milestones, and timeline]
Term: This Agreement begins on [Start Date] and ends on [End Date], unless terminated earlier per Section 5.
Compensation & Intellectual Property
Payment terms and who owns the work product
Compensation: Client shall pay Contractor [$ amount] [per hour / per project / per milestone]. Invoices are due within [number] days of receipt.
Expenses: [Client will / will not] reimburse pre-approved expenses. All expenses over [$amount] require written approval.
IP Ownership: All work product created under this Agreement shall be the sole property of [Client / Contractor]. Contractor assigns all rights, title, and interest upon payment in full.
Confidentiality: Contractor agrees not to disclose any confidential information obtained during the engagement for a period of [number] years after termination.
Termination & Liability
How either party can end the engagement and limit liability
Termination: Either party may terminate with [number] days' written notice. Client shall pay for all work completed through the termination date.
Liability: Contractor's total liability shall not exceed the total fees paid under this Agreement. Neither party is liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages.
Governing Law: This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of [State].
Signatures:
Client: [Name, Title, Date]
Contractor: [Name, Date]
How to Use This Template
Define the scope clearly
List every deliverable, milestone, and deadline. Vague scopes lead to disputes. Be specific about what is and is not included.
Set payment terms upfront
Specify the rate, payment schedule, and invoice process. Include late payment penalties if needed.
Address IP ownership
Decide who owns the work product. Most clients want full ownership upon payment. Make this explicit.
Review with both parties
Both the client and contractor should read and sign. For high-value engagements, have a lawyer review the final draft.
Customize in Dewx
Inside Dewx, tell Dew: "Draft a contractor agreement for [Contractor Name] covering [scope]." Dew generates a tailored agreement with your standard terms, tracks signatures, links to invoices, and sends renewal reminders before the contract expires.
Related Templates
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an employee and an independent contractor?
An independent contractor controls how, when, and where they work. They use their own tools, set their own hours, and can work for multiple clients. Employees work under your direct supervision with set schedules. Misclassifying employees as contractors can result in penalties, back taxes, and lawsuits.
What clauses should every contractor agreement include?
Every contractor agreement should include scope of work, payment terms and schedule, intellectual property ownership, confidentiality provisions, termination conditions, liability limitations, and an independent contractor status clause. The template below covers all of these.
Do I need a lawyer to create a contractor agreement?
A template is a strong starting point for standard engagements. For high-value contracts, international contractors, or sensitive IP, have a lawyer review the final version. Inside Dewx, Dew drafts agreements tailored to your business and flags clauses that may need legal review.
How does Dewx help manage contractor agreements?
Dewx OPS Hub stores all contractor agreements, tracks expiration dates, sends renewal reminders, and links contracts to payment records. Dew can draft new agreements based on previous ones, adjusting scope and terms for each engagement.
Contracts, Simplified
Simple, Transparent Pricing
Starting at $29/mo for solopreneurs. $79/mo for teams. All features included.
View pricingDraft Contracts in Minutes
Dew writes contractor agreements tailored to your business, tracks signatures, and manages renewals — no legal team needed.
Try Dewx FreeStop Drafting Contracts from Scratch
Dewx drafts contractor agreements in minutes, tracks every contract, and reminds you before renewals. You focus on the relationship, Dew handles the paperwork.