Developer Contracts: Protecting Your Business and Clients

Contracts Protect Everyone

A good contract isn't about being adversarial—it's about setting clear expectations that protect both parties. When expectations are documented, disputes become rare.

Essential Clauses

Scope of Work

Define what's included and excluded:

INCLUDED:
- Custom Laravel application with specified features
- Admin dashboard for content management
- API integration with Stripe for payments
- 30 days post-launch bug fixes

NOT INCLUDED:
- Content creation or migration
- Third-party integrations beyond Stripe
- Mobile applications
- Ongoing maintenance after 30 days

Payment Terms

• 50% deposit before work begins
• 25% at midpoint milestone
• 25% before final delivery
• Net 15 payment terms
• Late payment penalties

Intellectual Property

Clear IP transfer upon final payment:

Upon receipt of final payment, Developer assigns to Client all
rights, title, and interest in the deliverables. Developer
retains the right to use non-confidential aspects of the work
in portfolio and marketing materials.

Revision Limits

This agreement includes up to 3 rounds of revisions per
deliverable. Additional revisions will be billed at $150/hour.

Timeline and Delays

Address what happens when timelines slip—from either side.

Termination

Either party may terminate with 14 days written notice.
Client pays for work completed to date. Developer delivers
all work in progress.

Red Flag Terms

• Unlimited revisions
• Payment only on client satisfaction
• Non-compete clauses for entire industry
• Full liability for business losses

Conclusion

Invest in a solid contract template reviewed by a lawyer. It's one of the best investments in your freelance business.