Contractor Agreement Template
Hiring a freelancer or contractor? Generate a professional agreement that protects both parties — scope, payment, IP, and more.
What's Included
When You Need a Contractor Agreement
Hiring a freelance developer or designer. Before any work starts, a contractor agreement defines what's being built, who owns it, how much it costs, and what happens if things go wrong.
Protecting your IP. Without a written agreement, the contractor may legally own the work they create for you. A contractor agreement with IP assignment ensures you own everything.
Avoiding misclassification. The IRS has strict rules about the difference between employees and contractors. A proper agreement establishes the independent contractor relationship and protects you from costly misclassification penalties.
EasyLegal vs. Hiring a Lawyer
EasyLegal
- Ready in 5 minutes
- $4.99 (or free with your monthly credits)
- IP assignment included
- Covers confidentiality and non-compete
- Edit in Word or Google Docs
Traditional Lawyer
- 1–2 weeks turnaround
- $500–$2,000+
- May not understand your tech stack
- Necessary for large enterprise engagements
- Good for complex multi-party projects
Need the full legal stack?
Contractor Agreement + Terms of Service + Privacy Policy for $19.
FAQ
What's the difference between a contractor agreement and an employment agreement?
A contractor agreement is for independent contractors (freelancers) who control how and when they work. An employment agreement is for W-2 employees. Using the wrong one can result in IRS penalties for worker misclassification.
Does this cover IP ownership?
Yes. You choose whether the company, contractor, or both own the intellectual property created during the engagement. Most founders choose company ownership with full IP assignment.
Can I use this for international contractors?
This template is designed for US-based engagements. For international contractors, we recommend having a lawyer review the agreement for local labor law compliance.