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Retainer Agreement
Free retainer agreement template for an ongoing arrangement where a client pays a recurring fee for a set amount of work or availability.
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This free retainer agreement covers 1. Retainer, 2. Scope, 3. Overage, 4. Payment, 5. Unused Time 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.
Retainer Agreement
Provider: [Your Name/Company] Client: [Client Name] Effective Date: [Date]
1. Retainer
Client will pay Provider a retainer of [Amount] per [Month], in exchange for [Description — e.g. "up to 10 hours of work per month" or "priority availability and ongoing advisory services"].
2. Scope
[What is and isn't covered by the retainer — be specific about hour limits, response times, or included services.]
3. Overage
Work beyond the included scope is billed at [Rate], with Client's approval before starting.
4. Payment
The retainer is due [Timing — e.g. "on the 1st of each month, in advance"], regardless of whether the full included scope is used.
5. Unused Time
[State your policy clearly — e.g. "Unused hours do not roll over to the next month" or "Unused hours roll over for up to 30 days."]
6. Term and Termination
This Agreement continues month-to-month until either party gives [Notice Period] written notice.
Provider: ______________________ Date: ____________ Client: ______________________ Date: ____________
*Stating upfront whether unused retainer time rolls over (most don't) prevents an awkward conversation in month two when the client asks about "banking" hours they didn't use.*
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
- 6 standard sections: 1. Retainer, 2. Scope, 3. Overage, 4. Payment, 5. Unused Time, 6. Term and Termination
- 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 retainer agreement template really free?
Yes — this Retainer Agreement template on docstoc is free to view, edit online, and download as a PDF with no account or signup required.
What does this retainer agreement cover?
This business template includes 1. Retainer, 2. Scope, 3. Overage, 4. Payment. 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. This is a general-purpose starting structure, not advice for your specific situation. Business agreements can hinge on details — state of formation, industry-specific regulation, how a dispute would actually play out — that a template can't account for. Have a business attorney review anything that involves real money or real risk before you rely on it.
Can I edit the wording?
Yes — edit directly on the page, adjust any section or clause, and re-fill the 8 placeholder fields to match your situation before downloading a PDF. It's a starting structure, not a rigid script.
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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Why use this instead of a generic template
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Legality
Templates are drafted for general use, not a substitute for legal advice — check the note on each page for specifics.
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Speed
Copy the subject and body directly — no form to fill in, no export step, no waiting on a download link.
Mobile-friendly
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API available
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