I’ve just landed my first real freelance client for web design work, which is exciting, but now they’ve asked me to send over an independent contractor agreement. I found a basic template online, but as I’m filling it out, I’m getting stuck on the specifics. The project scope is a bit fluid—they want a website, but also “ongoing minor updates” for six months, which feels vague. I’m unsure how to define that in the deliverables section without locking myself into endless small tweaks, or how to handle payment if they request a major change halfway through. Part of me wonders if I even need something this formal for a project that’s only a few thousand dollars, but I know I should protect myself.
Treat those six months of updates as a separate maintenance package with a capped scope and a monthly retainer. Frame the deliverables as concrete outcomes or milestones rather than every tiny tweak, and include a simple change-request process with a price cap for small tweaks. Would you pair that with clearly defined acceptance criteria in the contract?
I get the hesitation—nobody wants a contract that feels like a leash. Still, a tight doc can prevent scope fights when things drift. Do you have a clause that covers scope creep and payment for larger changes?
Try a change-order mechanism: if the client asks for major changes, price it as a new milestone or bill hourly with a clear rate. Are you comfortable with that approach being triggered mid-project?
independent contractor agreement can be your north star here, especially with a fluid scope; it helps lock in how we define deliverables, when work is considered complete, and how changes are charged. Consider including: core deliverables list, acceptance criteria, change-control process, IP rights, and payment terms. Would you like a skeletal clause outline to start with?
Keep the contract lean: specify what exactly is included in the core site and what counts as out-of-scope maintenance. Set up milestones for payment tied to acceptance of each deliverable and a separate rate for changes beyond scope. What would you call a reasonable monthly maintenance cap?
Bottom line: decide on core deliverables, a change process, and how you’ll handle payments up front so you’re not guessing later. If you want, I can draft a quick example clause list you can drop into your draft. Want me to draft a minimal skeleton?