Consulting Agreement Template
Free consulting agreement template covering scope, fees, term, IP ownership, confidentiality, and termination. Plain-English, editable, ready to e-sign.
A consulting agreement is a contract between a client and an independent consultant that spells out the work to be done, how much it costs, who owns the results, and how either side can end the relationship. Unlike an employment contract, it makes clear that the consultant is an independent contractor responsible for their own taxes, tools, and schedule, which helps both sides avoid misclassification problems down the road.
Use this template when you are hiring an outside expert for a defined project or a recurring advisory role, or when you are the consultant and want clear terms before you start billable work. A good agreement removes the most common sources of conflict: an undefined scope, surprise invoices, unclear ownership of deliverables, and a messy exit. Putting it in writing protects the working relationship even when nothing goes wrong.
Fill in the bracketed placeholders, delete any sections that do not apply, and have both parties sign. With sign.pink you can send it for signature in seconds, no account needed for the other party, and every signed copy comes with a tamper-evident audit trail that records who signed, when, and from where.
When to use it
- Hiring an independent consultant, freelancer, or advisor for a defined project or retainer
- You are the consultant and want scope, fees, and payment terms agreed before starting work
- You need clear ownership of deliverables, code, designs, or other intellectual property
- Confidential information will be shared and you want it protected
- You want a clean, written way for either side to end the engagement
Learn more
Template FAQ
A consulting agreement treats the consultant as an independent contractor, not an employee. The consultant generally controls how and when the work gets done, supplies their own tools, and handles their own taxes and benefits. An employment contract creates an employer-employee relationship with payroll withholding, supervision, and statutory obligations. Misclassifying an employee as a consultant can create tax and legal liability, so the agreement should genuinely reflect an independent relationship.
Sign your consulting agreement in minutes.
Free to start, $3/month for unlimited documents — legally binding, with a tamper-evident audit trail.