[Note: This is a sample contract - we are not lawyers and recommend you have your own legal counsel review any contract before sending it out.]
Date: {date_submitted}
Between "us", {company_name}, and "you", {client_name}
You, {client_name}, located at {client_address}, are hiring {company_name}, located at 125 Swank Drive, to perform {proposal_name} for the estimated total price of {total}, as outlined in our previous correspondence.
1.0 Services Rendered
STRATEGY & DESIGN
We will deliver a branding strategy and design a new logo. After the strategy and design are approved, we will deliver a branding guidelines document.
You will have two or more weekly opportunities to review our work and provide feedback. If, at any stage, you are not happy with the direction our work is taking, you will pay us in full for everything we have produced up to that point and then cancel this contract.
ERRORS
We cannot guarantee that our work will be error-free (we are human!) so we cannot be liable to you or any third-party for damages, including lost profits, lost savings, or other incidental, consequential, or special damages, even if you have advised us of them.
2.0 Mutual Cooperation
We agree to use our best efforts to fulfill and exceed your expectations on the deliverables listed above. You agree to aid us in doing so by making available to us needed information pertaining to your website and to cooperate with us in expediting the work.
3.0 Charges for Services Performed
3.1 Requests above and beyond those listed in the budget may be considered out-of-scope, and an amendment to the budget will be recommended. Projects that go dormant for longer than 45 days will incur a fee to resume work at the discretion of {company_name}.
4.0 Terms of Payment
4.1 BILLING SCHEDULE
We understand the importance of paying invoices promptly, and we appreciate your commitment to maintaining a positive working relationship and keeping the project moving forward. Therefore, we have established the following payment schedule.
The total budget for this project: {total}
We will invoice you for fifty per cent (50%) of the initial fees at the point of this signed contract agreement, which will act as the deposit. The remaining 50% will be billed monthly as the service hours are spent or when the project is launched.
You will supply us with all necessary purchase order numbers and other internal information required for invoice processing before the close of the month of work (if applicable).
4.3 CLIENT AGREEMENT TO PAY
You agree to pay our initial (1st) invoice upon receipt, which will act as a deposit for the project. Every invoice after that will have 15-day payment terms. If payment is not made within 15 days, we will charge a late payment fee of 1% per month on any overdue and unpaid balance not in dispute, to cover the manpower, interest, and other costs we pay for carrying overdue invoices from you. In addition, we reserve the right to stop work until payment is received.
4.4 COLLECTION COSTS
In the event that we incur legal fees, costs, and disbursements in an effort to collect our invoices, in addition to interest on the unpaid balance, you agree to reimburse us for these expenses.
5.0 Cancellation of Plans
You have the right to modify, reject, cancel, or stop any and all plans or work in process. However, you agree to reimburse us for all costs and expenses we incurred prior to your change in instructions, which relate to non-cancelable commitments, and to defend, indemnify, and hold us harmless for any liability relating to such action. We agree to use our best efforts to minimize such costs and expenses.
6.0 Responsibilities of {company_name} and {client_name}
6.1 {COMPANY_NAME}'S RESPONSIBILITY FOR RELEASES
We shall obtain releases, licenses, permits, or other authorization to use testimonials, copyrighted materials, photographs, artwork, or any other property or rights belonging to third parties obtained by us for use in performing services for you (If applicable).
6.2 CLIENT RESPONSIBILITY FOR RELEASES
You guarantee that all elements of text, images, or other artwork you provide are either owned by you or that you have permission to use them.
When your final payment has cleared, copyright will be automatically assigned as follows:
You will own the visual elements that we create for this project. We will give you source files and finished files, and you should keep them somewhere safe as we are not required to keep a copy. You own all elements of text, images, and data you provided, unless someone else owns them.
We will own the unique combination of these elements that constitutes a complete design, and we will license that to you, exclusively and in perpetuity for this project only, unless we agree otherwise. We can provide a separate estimate for that.
6.3 CLIENT RESPONSIBILITY FOR ACCURACY
You shall be responsible for the accuracy, completeness, and propriety of information concerning your products and services, which you furnish to us verbally or in writing in connection with the performance of this Agreement.
7.0 Confidentiality
{company_name} acknowledges its responsibility, both during and after the term of its appointment, to use all reasonable efforts to preserve the confidentiality of any proprietary or confidential information or data developed by {company_name} on behalf of {client_name} or disclosed by {client_name} to {company_name}.
8.0 Term and Termination
8.1 PERIOD OF AGREEMENT AND NOTICE OF TERMINATION
This Agreement shall become effective as of DATE HERE and shall continue until terminated by either party upon not less than 60 days' notice in writing given by either party to the other.
8.2 TERMINATION FOR CAUSE
Either party to this Agreement may terminate the Agreement if the other party defaults in the performance of any of its material duties and obligations, and the default is not cured within thirty (30) days of the receipt of notice of said default, or if the default is not reasonably curable within said period of time, unless the defaulting party commences cure within said period of time and diligently proceeds to cure the default.
In addition, either party may immediately terminate this Agreement by giving written notice to the other party if the other party is insolvent or has a petition brought by or against it under the insolvency laws of any jurisdiction, if the other party makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, if a trustee, or similar agent is appointed with respect to any property or business of the other party, or in the case of the Client, if the Client materially breaches its obligations to make payment pursuant to this Agreement.
8.3 PAYMENT FOR NON-CANCELABLE MATERIALS?
Any non-cancelable materials, services, etc., we have properly committed ourselves to purchase for your account (either specifically or as part of a plan such as modules, photography, and/or external services) shall be paid for by you, in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. We agree to use our best efforts to minimize such liabilities immediately upon written notification from you. We will provide written proof, upon request of the {client_name}, that any such materials and services are non-cancelable.
8.4 MATERIALS UNPAID FOR
If upon termination there exist any materials furnished by us or any services performed by us for which you have not paid us in full, until such time as you have paid us in full, you agree not to use any such materials, in whole or in part, or the product of such services.
8.5 TRANSFER OF MATERIALS
Upon termination of this agreement, provided that there is no outstanding indebtedness then owing by {client_name} to {company_name}, {company_name} shall transfer, assign, and make available to {client_name} all property and materials in its possession or control belonging to {client_name}. {client_name} agrees to pay for all costs associated with the transfer of materials.
9.0 General Provisions
9.1 GOVERNING LAW
This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province/State of STATE/PROVINCE.
9.2 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
The parties each individually represent and warrant that each has full power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to perform all of their obligations hereunder without violating the legal or equitable rights of any third party.
9.3 ENTIRE AGREEMENT
Except as otherwise set forth or referred to in this Agreement, this Agreement constitutes the sole and entire Agreement and understanding between the parties hereto as to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes all prior discussions, agreements, and understandings of every kind and nature between them as to such subject matter.
If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid, or unenforceable under any present or future law, then that provision will be fully severable. In such instance, this Agreement will be construed and enforced as if the illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision had never comprised a part of this Agreement, and the remaining provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect.
{client_contact_first} {client_contact_last}, to accept this contract, click the Accept button and sign at the prompt. You will be emailed a copy for your records.
