Scope and deliverables
The contract should list what you will deliver, in what format, and when. If scope is vague, you will often end up doing extra work for free. If revisions are included, note how many rounds and what counts as a change vs a new piece of work.
Payment terms
Check rate, currency, when you invoice, and how long the client has to pay (Net 14, Net 30, etc.). See if late fees apply and whether you can pause work on overdue invoices. A deposit or milestone payments help on bigger jobs.
Intellectual property
Find out when the client owns the work: on payment, on delivery, or after sign-off. Try to keep the right to show non-sensitive work in your portfolio. Work-for-hire wording can hand over all rights straight away.
Ending the contract
Read how either side can cancel and what you are paid for work already done. A notice period or kill fee protects you if the client pulls out mid-project.
Liability
Watch for clauses that make you pay for the client's losses without a cap. Where you can, limit liability to the fees under the contract.
General information only. Not legal advice.
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