What is the difference between a consulting agreement and an independent contractor agreement?

They overlap heavily. A consulting agreement tends to describe advisory or expert services; an independent contractor agreement is more general and spells out contractor status, tax responsibility and insurance in more detail.

Who owns the work the consultant produces?

In this template, deliverables made specifically for the client transfer to the client on full payment, and the consultant keeps pre-existing materials and general know-how.

Can I use this alongside a statement of work?

Yes. For several projects with the same client, many teams sign a master services agreement once and a statement of work for each project; both templates are available here too.

Free template

Consulting agreement template

A consulting agreement puts the terms of an advisory or project engagement in writing: what the consultant will do, how they are paid, who owns the work and how either side can end it. Edit it in the browser and send it for signature from the same page; the free plan includes 5 sends a month and never asks for a card.

Start free with this template

When to use it

Engaging an outside expert for a defined project or ongoing advice.
Starting work as a consultant and wanting your terms signed before you begin.
Replacing an email thread of agreed terms with one signed document.

What's in it

1.Services
2.Fees
3.Independent contractor
4.Intellectual property
5.Termination

Plus signature, name and date fields for client and consultant.

The full template

The text you start from, exactly as it opens in the editor. Bracketed blanks are yours to fill in; highlighted fields are filled by each signer.

Consulting Services Agreement

This Agreement is effective as of Date signed — Client between the Client and the Consultant identified below.

1. Services

The Consultant will provide the following services:

Text — Client

2. Fees

Fee: Text — Client

Invoices are due within thirty (30) days of receipt. Pre-approved expenses are reimbursed at cost.

3. Independent contractor

The Consultant is an independent contractor. Nothing in this Agreement creates an employment, partnership, or joint venture relationship.

4. Intellectual property

All deliverables created specifically for the Client under this Agreement are assigned to the Client upon full payment. The Consultant retains ownership of pre-existing materials and general know-how.

5. Termination

Either party may terminate this Agreement on fifteen (15) days written notice. The Client will pay for all services performed through the termination date.

Signatures

Client

Signature: Signature — Client

Name: Full name — Client

Date: Date signed — Client

Consultant

Signature: Signature — Consultant

Name: Full name — Consultant

Date: Date signed — Consultant

This template is a general-purpose starting point written in plain English for use in the United States. It is not legal advice and has not been reviewed for your situation; for anything high-stakes, have a lawyer review the final version.

How to send it for signature

Step 1
Start from the template
It opens as a document in the editor with both parties' signature, name and date fields already placed. Fill in the bracketed blanks and change any clause.
Step 2
Add who signs
Put an email address on each party, set the signing order if it matters, add an access code if you want one, and add a viewer for anyone who only needs to read it.
Step 3
Send it and track it
Each signer gets a link and signs in the browser, no account needed. You see who has opened and signed, and everyone gets the completed PDF with a certificate of completion.

Start free with this template

Questions

What is the difference between a consulting agreement and an independent contractor agreement?: They overlap heavily. A consulting agreement tends to describe advisory or expert services; an independent contractor agreement is more general and spells out contractor status, tax responsibility and insurance in more detail.
Who owns the work the consultant produces?: In this template, deliverables made specifically for the client transfer to the client on full payment, and the consultant keeps pre-existing materials and general know-how.
Can I use this alongside a statement of work?: Yes. For several projects with the same client, many teams sign a master services agreement once and a statement of work for each project; both templates are available here too.

Your own templates, too.

Save any document as a template for the team, with its parties and signature blocks, and start the next one from it in a click.

Get started free Talk to us