Vent: I used to write my own contracts from scratch versus using a template service

For my first year freelancing, I drafted every contract myself, thinking it saved money. Last month, a client in Portland tried to add three extra revisions after the final payment, and my homemade agreement didn't have a clear clause to stop it. I spent $80 on a template from a freelance lawyer site, and the new contract specifically limits revisions to two rounds. Has anyone else switched from DIY contracts to a paid template and had it save a big headache?

3 comments

3 Comments

fisher.jessica1mo ago

But what if that template doesn't fit your exact work flow? I tried a paid one last year and it was so rigid it scared off a good client because the payment terms were weird for our small project. Sometimes a simple, clear email agreement you write yourself works better than a one-size-fits-all legal doc you just fill in the blanks for.

ray6431mo ago

That client was probably looking for a reason to bail. A solid template from a lawyer covers your butt, @fisher.jessica. Your email agreement leaves way too many holes if things go wrong.

keith1641mo ago

Remember when everyone thought making your own website from scratch was better than using a template? How many of those sites actually worked right on a phone? A contract template is just a tool, and sometimes you need the right tool even if you have to tweak it a little.