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Consulting Services Agreement
Free consulting services agreement template — define scope, fees, deliverables, and IP ownership before an independent consultant starts work.
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This free consulting services agreement covers 1. Services, 2. Term, 3. Fees and Payment, 4. Expenses, 5. Independent Contractor Status with 8 clearly marked [placeholder] fields to fill in — built for founders, freelancers, and small business owners formalizing a business decision or agreement without paying a lawyer to draft it from scratch. Copy it into your own word processor, fill in the placeholders, and review it — or adapt it — before use. It's part of docstoc's free document template library, alongside business, legal, real estate, finance, and HR templates. Every template here is free to copy with no signup required, and each one carries a plain disclaimer: this is a starting point for informational purposes, not a substitute for advice from a licensed professional in your jurisdiction.
Consulting Services Agreement
Client: [Company Name] · Consultant: [Name/Company] Effective Date: [Date]
1. Services
Consultant will provide the following services to Client: [Description of services/deliverables].
2. Term
This Agreement begins on [Date] and continues until [Date/completion of services], unless terminated earlier.
3. Fees and Payment
Client will pay Consultant [Hourly rate / flat fee / retainer amount], invoiced [Frequency]. Payment is due within [Number] days of invoice.
4. Expenses
[Client will reimburse pre-approved, reasonable expenses / Fees are inclusive of expenses.]
5. Independent Contractor Status
Consultant is an independent contractor, not an employee. Consultant is responsible for their own taxes, insurance, and benefits.
6. Intellectual Property
Work product created under this Agreement belongs to [Client, upon full payment / Consultant, with Client granted a license to use it].
7. Confidentiality
Each party will keep the other's confidential information private and use it only to perform this Agreement.
8. Termination
Either party may terminate this Agreement with [Number] days' written notice. Client pays for services performed through the termination date.
9. Limitation of Liability
Consultant's liability under this Agreement is limited to the fees paid in the [Number]-month period before the claim arose.
Client: ______________________ Date: ____________ Consultant: ______________________ Date: ____________
*Nail down intellectual property ownership before work starts, not after — in many jurisdictions, an independent contractor (unlike an employee) retains rights to what they create by default unless the contract assigns it to the client.*
Edit directly in the box above. Download PDF anytime — the docstoc.io footer is always included and cannot be removed.
What's included
- Edit online — click the document, fill in placeholders, download a PDF
- 9 standard sections: 1. Services, 2. Term, 3. Fees and Payment, 4. Expenses, 5. Independent Contractor Status, 6. Intellectual Property, …
- 8 clearly marked [placeholder] fields for quick personalizing
- Free to use — no account or signup required
- Fully editable — adjust any clause to match your actual situation
- Includes a signature block, ready to print or sign digitally
- Fixed docstoc.io footer on every PDF (not removable)
Who this template is for
Freelancers & solo founders
Handling routine business paperwork without commissioning custom legal drafting for every document.
Small businesses
Standardizing recurring documents — leases, agreements, notices — across a growing operation.
Anyone reviewing before signing
Using a clear starting structure to understand what a document should cover, even if a lawyer finalizes it.
Early-stage businesses
Getting the basics documented before things get more complex.
FAQ
Is this consulting services agreement template really free?
Yes — this Consulting Services Agreement template on docstoc is free to view, edit online, and download as a PDF with no account or signup required.
What does this consulting services agreement cover?
This business template includes 1. Services, 2. Term, 3. Fees and Payment, 4. Expenses. Fill in the [bracketed] placeholders, edit any clause online, then download a PDF — the docstoc.io footer stays on every export.
Is this legal advice?
No. Templates like this cover the common ground most businesses need, but they can't anticipate your specific deal terms, jurisdiction, or industry rules. Treat it as a first draft to build from, and get a business attorney's eyes on it before signing anything that matters.
Can I edit the wording?
Yes. All 8 placeholder fields and every clause are editable right on the page — change what doesn't fit, then download an updated PDF anytime.
Where can I find more free templates like this?
Browse more free business and related document templates in the docstoc library at /document-templates/.
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Templates are drafted for general use, not a substitute for legal advice — check the note on each page for specifics.
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API available
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