Freelancing with a California client? Get SB 988-specific protections (double damages, 30-day deadline) →
Free Independent Contractor Agreement Template
Generate a complete contract in minutes — scope of work, payment terms, and IP ownership, built for freelancers and clients anywhere in the US.
Three steps to a legally sound agreement
Select your state & project details
Specify the governing state for your contract, party details, and project amount.
Customize payment & IP clauses
Set payment due windows (e.g. Net 30), contractual late fees, IP transfer conditions, and cancellation terms.
Generate & download instantly
Our tool generates a clean, enforceable independent contractor agreement ready to print or sign electronically.
Key clauses every independent contractor contract should contain
Itemized scope of work
Clearly defines project deliverables, deadlines, and revisions to stop scope creep.
Written payment terms
Defines agreed rates, invoicing schedules, and accepted payment methods in writing.
Payment due window
Establishes clear payment deadlines (such as Net 30) agreed upon by both parties.
Contractual late fee
Protects cash flow by specifying a reasonable monthly interest penalty on overdue balances.
IP transfer upon payment
Ensures deliverable ownership transfers to the client only after full invoice payment is received.
Cancellation & kill fee
Guarantees compensation for work completed if a client terminates the project early.
Frequently asked questions about contractor agreements
Do I need a written contract if I'm not in California?+
Yes. Even outside of California or states with explicit freelance payment laws, a written agreement is your primary legal protection against non-payment, scope creep, and intellectual property disputes. Without a signed written contract, proving agreed rates, Net 30 payment deadlines, or kill fee rights in court or arbitration is extremely difficult.
What happens if my client is in California but I'm not?+
California's Freelance Worker Protection Act (SB 988) applies based on the hiring party's location. If your client is a business or individual based in California, SB 988 statutory protections (including mandatory written contracts for $250+ projects, 30-day payment windows, and statutory double damages for late payment) apply to your engagement even if you reside in another state. If your client is in CA, we recommend using our California SB 988 Contractor Agreement Template.
Are contractual late fees enforceable nationwide?+
Yes, as long as the late fee rate is reasonable and specified in writing before work begins. Standard commercial late fee terms (such as 1.5% per month or 18% per annum) are widely recognized contractual terms enforced under state contract law across the US.
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Fill out the simple form above to create your customizable independent contractor agreement in minutes.