"I trust them, they are my friend."
Famous last words before a project scope creeps into a 6-month nightmare with no extra pay.
A contract isn't about mistrust; it's about clarity. It ensures both you and the client agree on what "done" looks like.
1. Scope of Work (SOW)
Be extremely specific.
- BAD: "Design a website."
- GOOD: "Design 5 unique pages (Home, About, Services, Blog, Contact) in Figma. Development is NOT included."
2. Payment Schedule
When do you get paid?
- 50% Deposit (Upfront)
- 50% Upon Completion
- Kill Fee: If they cancel the project halfway, you keep the deposit.
3. Revisions Limit
"Can we just change this one thing?" (x100). Clause: "This agreement includes 2 rounds of revisions. Additional revisions will be billed at $100/hr."
4. Intellectual Property (IP) Transfer
Who owns the work? Usually, the client owns the work only after full payment is received. This gives you leverage if they ghost you on the final invoice.
5. Deadlines & Delays
What if they delay giving you feedback? Clause: "If client feedback is delayed by more than 5 business days, the project deadline extends by the same amount."
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