Working without a contract is risky. This practical guide shows exactly what to include from scope to payments, IP, and kill fee and gives you a free, editable .docx contract template. Close projects faster and get paid smoothly through our Merchant of Record (MoR) flow.
Freelancers don’t skip contracts because they don’t care they skip them because they’re busy. But a 3–5 page, plain-English contract is the quickest way to prevent:
Pro tip: The best contract is the one you actually use. Keep it short, fill it in fast, send for e-signature, and move.
No legalese. No fluff. Just the essentials, ready to edit.
👉 Download the Free Contract Template (.docx)
(This template is information only, not legal/tax advice. For complex deals, consult a lawyer.)
Identify you and your client (legal names + addresses), add the effective date, and a one-line project summary so everyone knows what this agreement covers.
List deliverables with formats/specs (e.g., “5 Instagram graphics, .png, 1080×1080”).
Set an acceptance window (e.g., 5 business days). Silence = accepted. Extra revisions? Use a Change Request.
Drop-in clause (sample):
“Invoicing and collection may be performed by Remotify.co OÜ (or an affiliated Merchant of Record). Client agrees to pay invoices issued by the MoR entity; applicable VAT/sales tax may be included per law.”
MoR may handle client-side VAT where applicable. Your payout is your income; you handle your own income/self-employment taxes.
Mutual confidentiality. If personal data is processed, reference GDPR (or relevant law) and add a DPA if required.
Professional, workmanlike services; fix material non-conformities within 30 days. Limit liability to the fees paid; exclude indirect damages.
Allow convenience termination with notice; if the client cancels, they pay for work done + a kill fee (commonly 15–30%; template uses 20%).
Make it clear there’s no employment/agency relationship. Optional: short non-solicit.
Try good-faith resolution first. Then choose a jurisdiction (common options: England & Wales / Estonia / Delaware (US) / Sweden).
Client pays us → payout to you (transparent fee, no monthly fee)
Your contract sets the rules. We make payment frictionless.
No kill fee → add 15–30% for remaining project value.
Is an e-signature legally binding?
Yes. Most jurisdictions (US/EU) recognize e-signatures if you include a counterparts/e-sign clause (already in the template).
Do I need a brand-new contract for every tiny task?
For ongoing work, use a Retainer/Master Services setup + email SOWs. For one-offs, this short-form agreement is perfect.
What’s a fair number of revision rounds?
Two is standard. More rounds = Change Request with timeline/fee impact.
How do I reference Remotify in the contract?
Add the MoR clause above; it keeps billing professional and predictable.
Which governing law should I pick?
Pick what fits the counterpart and region. England & Wales is a popular neutral choice; Estonia/Sweden/Delaware are also common.
👉 Download the Free Contract Template (.docx)
👉 Create Your First Invoice for Free
Freelancers don’t skip contracts because they don’t care they skip them because they’re busy. But a 3–5 page, plain-English contract is the quickest way to prevent:
Pro tip: The best contract is the one you actually use. Keep it short, fill it in fast, send for e-signature, and move.
No legalese. No fluff. Just the essentials, ready to edit.
👉 Download the Free Contract Template (.docx)
(This template is information only, not legal/tax advice. For complex deals, consult a lawyer.)
Identify you and your client (legal names + addresses), add the effective date, and a one-line project summary so everyone knows what this agreement covers.
List deliverables with formats/specs (e.g., “5 Instagram graphics, .png, 1080×1080”).
Set an acceptance window (e.g., 5 business days). Silence = accepted. Extra revisions? Use a Change Request.
Drop-in clause (sample):
“Invoicing and collection may be performed by Remotify.co OÜ (or an affiliated Merchant of Record). Client agrees to pay invoices issued by the MoR entity; applicable VAT/sales tax may be included per law.”
MoR may handle client-side VAT where applicable. Your payout is your income; you handle your own income/self-employment taxes.
Mutual confidentiality. If personal data is processed, reference GDPR (or relevant law) and add a DPA if required.
Professional, workmanlike services; fix material non-conformities within 30 days. Limit liability to the fees paid; exclude indirect damages.
Allow convenience termination with notice; if the client cancels, they pay for work done + a kill fee (commonly 15–30%; template uses 20%).
Make it clear there’s no employment/agency relationship. Optional: short non-solicit.
Try good-faith resolution first. Then choose a jurisdiction (common options: England & Wales / Estonia / Delaware (US) / Sweden).
Client pays us → payout to you (transparent fee, no monthly fee)
Your contract sets the rules. We make payment frictionless.
No kill fee → add 15–30% for remaining project value.
Is an e-signature legally binding?
Yes. Most jurisdictions (US/EU) recognize e-signatures if you include a counterparts/e-sign clause (already in the template).
Do I need a brand-new contract for every tiny task?
For ongoing work, use a Retainer/Master Services setup + email SOWs. For one-offs, this short-form agreement is perfect.
What’s a fair number of revision rounds?
Two is standard. More rounds = Change Request with timeline/fee impact.
How do I reference Remotify in the contract?
Add the MoR clause above; it keeps billing professional and predictable.
Which governing law should I pick?
Pick what fits the counterpart and region. England & Wales is a popular neutral choice; Estonia/Sweden/Delaware are also common.
👉 Download the Free Contract Template (.docx)
👉 Create Your First Invoice for Free
