Independent contractor contracts may be used for any type of work in which a freelance professional is hired for a period of time to complete a task. These documents help to protect both the hiring party as well as the independent contractor, and ensure that the specifications of the project are spelled out ahead of time. Generally, independent contractor contracts specify the nature of the project, the amount of time it is expected to complete, and the estimated charges for the project. Additional information, such as nondisclosure agreements or cancellation clauses, may also be part of these contracts.
To begin, independent contractor contracts will specify the name of the business or individual hiring the freelancer, as well as the name and contact information of the independent freelancer. The date that the contract begins will also be specified, followed by a description of the job or project for which the independent contractor is being hired. The specificity of this job description can vary depending on its extent and how concerned the company or the contractor is that the work will be completed as specified. It should at least specify the minimum requirements for the project.
The agreed-upon payment for the job or project should also be specified in independent contractor contracts. This may change if the project takes longer than anticipated or additional expenses come up, but it is important that the payment terms and conditions are specified. The time at which payments will be made, such as biweekly or monthly, should be specified as well. This will help to avoid confusions or problems, and ensure the work on the project can continue smoothly without any interruptions due to nonpayment.
The terms by which the agreement may be broken should also be included in independent contractor contracts. Generally, the employer and the employee may terminate the contract for any reason if it is specified in the original written document, though it may require a certain payment of funds in some cases. These clauses help to protect both the employer and the contractor to ensure that if the job is not working out, they are free to seek help elsewhere. Anyone especially concerned about what is included or not included in a contract, especially for large projects, may want to go over it with a lawyer just to be sure it is acceptable before signing it. It may even be helpful to search online for sample contracts to get ideas of what should be included.