Free Consulting Agreement Template
Protect your business and clarify expectations.
Download our fully customizable template and get it eSigned in minutes.
Stop chasing clients for signatures and worrying about unclear terms. Our free consulting agreement template is designed for consultants and small businesses who need to establish professional, legally-sound relationships without the complexity or cost of hiring a lawyer. This comprehensive template clearly defines the scope of work, payment schedules, confidentiality, and ownership of intellectual property. Download it now, customize it in minutes, and use eSignly's secure platform to get it signed, so you can focus on delivering great work, not on paperwork.
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A Template Designed for Success
Instant Credibility
Present a professional, well-structured agreement that shows clients you're serious about your business and their project.
Complete Customization
Easily edit the template in your preferred word processor to perfectly match your project's scope, deliverables, and timelines.
Legally Binding Signatures
Use eSignly to create a secure, legally binding contract with a complete audit trail for total peace of mind.
Save on Legal Fees
Get a head start with a comprehensive template covering the most critical clauses, reducing legal consultation costs.
Prevent Scope Creep
Clearly define project boundaries, deliverables, and revision rounds from the start to avoid misunderstandings and unpaid work.
Secure Payment Terms
Outline your payment schedule, rates, and invoicing procedures to ensure you get paid on time, every time.
Protect Your IP
Specify ownership of intellectual property and work product, safeguarding your creations and the client's investment.
Faster Deal Closure
Eliminate the print-sign-scan cycle. Send your agreement for eSignature and get it back in minutes, not days.
It's Truly Free
The template is free to download, and you can sign up for an eSignly free plan to manage your agreements electronically.
Finalize Your Agreement in 3 Simple Steps
Customize Your Template
Download the DOCX file and open it in your favorite editor. Fill in the project-specific details like scope, deliverables, and payment terms.
Send with eSignly
Sign up for a free eSignly account, upload your customized agreement, and add your client's email address to send it for signature.
Get It Signed in Minutes
Your client receives a secure link to review and sign the document on any device. You get an instant notification and a legally binding contract.
What's Included in Your Template
Our consulting agreement template is more than just a document; it's a framework for a successful partnership. We've included all the essential sections you need to protect your interests and build a foundation of trust with your clients.
Services & Scope of Work
A detailed section to clearly outline the specific services you will provide. This is your first line of defense against scope creep.
Benefits:
- Eliminates ambiguity about deliverables.
- Sets clear expectations for both parties.
- Provides a benchmark for measuring project completion.
Payment & Compensation Terms
Define your rates, payment schedule (e.g., upfront deposit, milestones, final payment), and invoicing process.
Benefits:
- Ensures timely and predictable cash flow.
- Clarifies consequences for late payments.
- Accommodates various pricing models (hourly, project-based, retainer).
Confidentiality Clause
A critical clause to protect any sensitive information shared by you or your client during the engagement.
Benefits:
- Builds client trust by showing you value their privacy.
- Legally protects trade secrets and proprietary data.
- Defines the duration of the confidentiality obligation.
Intellectual Property Rights
Clearly state who owns the work product created during the project (e.g., work-for-hire, consultant retains ownership).
Benefits:
- Avoids future disputes over ownership of designs, code, or content.
- Clarifies usage rights for both the client and the consultant.
- Protects your pre-existing intellectual property.
Limitation of Liability
Caps the potential financial liability of the consultant in case of unforeseen issues or damages.
Benefits:
- Protects your business from potentially catastrophic financial risk.
- Sets a reasonable and insurable level of liability.
- A standard clause that shows professional maturity.
Term & Termination
Specify the start and end date of the engagement and the conditions under which either party can terminate the agreement.
Benefits:
- Provides a clear timeline for the project.
- Offers a professional exit strategy if needed.
- Protects both parties from abrupt, baseless termination.
Client Responsibilities
Outlines what the client must provide for you to do your job effectively (e.g., access to systems, timely feedback, necessary materials).
Benefits:
- Prevents project delays caused by the client.
- Makes the client an active partner in the project's success.
- Justifies timeline adjustments if the client fails to meet their obligations.
Entire Agreement & Amendments
States that this document represents the entire agreement and that any changes must be made in writing and signed by both parties.
Benefits:
- Prevents informal conversations from being legally binding.
- Ensures a clear, documented record of any changes to the scope or terms.
- Provides stability and predictability to the contractual relationship.
The Old Way vs. The eSignly Way
| Feature | The Old Way (Email & PDFs) | The eSignly Way |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Days or even weeks | Minutes |
| Tracking | Manual follow-up emails; "Did you get it?" | Real-time notifications (viewed & signed) |
| Security | Low; documents can be altered | High; tamper-proof with a legal audit trail |
| Professionalism | Clunky and outdated | Sleek, modern, and efficient |
| Convenience | Requires a printer and scanner | Sign on any device, anywhere, anytime |
| Record Keeping | Scattered emails and files | Centralized, secure document storage |
Trusted by Professionals Like You
"eSignly's consulting agreement template was a lifesaver. It was professional, easy to customize, and gave me the confidence to onboard new clients. Sending it for signature through their platform took literally two minutes. It's a must-have for any freelancer."
"As a startup, we need to move fast but also protect ourselves. This template allowed us to engage a critical development consultant overnight without waiting for lawyers. Clear, comprehensive, and paired perfectly with eSignly's efficient signing process."
"We use this template to standardize all our freelance contracts. It has saved our team countless hours. Having a reliable starting point and then managing the entire signature process in eSignly has streamlined our entire contractor onboarding."
Frequently Asked Questions
Our template is drafted to include the essential elements of an enforceable contract. When executed with a legally compliant electronic signature platform like eSignly, which provides a secure audit trail, the resulting document is legally binding under the U.S. ESIGN Act and similar laws in many other countries. However, we always recommend consulting with a legal professional for advice tailored to your specific situation.
Yes, it's completely free to download and use. There is no catch. We offer valuable resources like this to help professionals and businesses succeed. Our hope is that you'll see the benefit of finalizing your agreement with our secure and easy-to-use eSignature platform, which you can also start using for free.
Absolutely. The template is provided in DOCX format, making it fully editable in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or any other standard word processor. You can easily add, remove, or modify clauses to fit the unique needs of your project.
They are very similar and often used interchangeably. Both documents outline a service relationship where the provider is not an employee. A "consulting agreement" often implies a focus on providing expert advice and strategy, while an "independent contractor agreement" can be a broader term for any project-based work. This template is suitable for both scenarios.
For each new, distinct project with a client, it is best practice to have a new agreement or at least a new Statement of Work (SOW) that references a master consulting agreement. This ensures that the scope, deliverables, and payment for each specific project are clearly defined.
eSignly digitizes the entire final step. Instead of the cumbersome process of emailing, printing, signing, scanning, and returning, you simply upload your final agreement, add your client's email, and send. They can sign on any device in seconds. You get a notification immediately and a secure, tamper-proof audit trail for your records.
Ready to Secure Your Next Project?
Don't let paperwork slow you down. Download your free consulting agreement template now and take the first step toward more professional, secure, and successful client relationships.
Use Template with eSignly Free Download DOCX TemplateRelated Templates & Resources
Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)
Protect your confidential information before you even start negotiations with our robust NDA template.
Statement of Work (SOW) Template
Provide a highly detailed project plan to accompany your main consulting agreement.
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Learn how to quickly and securely complete and sign any PDF document online with our step-by-step guide.