Your Consulting Firm
Consultant
Your Name / Firm LLC
123 Consultant Street
City, State 00000
hello@yourconsulting.com
+1 (555) 000-0000
City, State 00000
hello@yourconsulting.com
+1 (555) 000-0000
Client
Client Company Inc.
456 Client Boulevard
City, State 00000
contact@clientcompany.com
+1 (555) 000-0000
City, State 00000
contact@clientcompany.com
+1 (555) 000-0000
1. Consulting Services
Consultant agrees to provide the following consulting services to Client:
[Describe the specific consulting services — e.g., marketing strategy, financial advisory, IT consulting, operational improvement, etc.]
Key Deliverables:
• [Deliverable 1 — e.g., Market analysis report by May 31, 2026]
• [Deliverable 2 — e.g., Weekly strategy calls, up to 4 hours/month]
• [Deliverable 3 — e.g., Final recommendations presentation]
Any additional work beyond this scope requires a written change order.
[Describe the specific consulting services — e.g., marketing strategy, financial advisory, IT consulting, operational improvement, etc.]
Key Deliverables:
• [Deliverable 1 — e.g., Market analysis report by May 31, 2026]
• [Deliverable 2 — e.g., Weekly strategy calls, up to 4 hours/month]
• [Deliverable 3 — e.g., Final recommendations presentation]
Any additional work beyond this scope requires a written change order.
2. Compensation & Invoicing
Client agrees to pay Consultant at the rate of $200.00/hour, estimated at 20 hours/month, or a monthly retainer of $4,000.00 USD.
Invoices will be issued on the 1st of each month and are due within 14 days. Expenses (travel, software, etc.) will be reimbursed at cost with receipts.
Late payments are subject to a 1.5% monthly finance charge after 15 days.
Invoices will be issued on the 1st of each month and are due within 14 days. Expenses (travel, software, etc.) will be reimbursed at cost with receipts.
Late payments are subject to a 1.5% monthly finance charge after 15 days.
3. Independent Contractor Status
Consultant is an independent contractor, not an employee of Client. Consultant is responsible for all federal and state taxes, insurance, and benefits. Client will not withhold taxes or provide employment benefits. Consultant may work for other clients during this engagement unless restricted by Section 5.
4. Confidentiality
Consultant agrees to keep all non-public information received from Client strictly confidential, including business strategies, financial data, customer information, and proprietary processes. This obligation continues for 2 years after termination of this Agreement.
Client agrees to keep Consultant's proprietary methodologies and tools confidential.
Client agrees to keep Consultant's proprietary methodologies and tools confidential.
5. Non-Solicitation
During the engagement and for 12 months following termination, neither party shall solicit or hire the other party's employees or contractors without prior written consent.
6. Intellectual Property
Work product created specifically for Client under this Agreement and fully paid for shall be owned by Client upon payment in full. Consultant retains ownership of pre-existing methodologies, frameworks, tools, and general knowledge, which may be licensed to other clients.
7. Termination & Governing Law
Either party may terminate this Agreement with 30 days' written notice. Upon termination, Client shall pay for all services rendered to the termination date. Consultant shall deliver all work product completed to date.
This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of [Your State].
This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of [Your State].
Consultant Signature
Print Name: _____________________
Title: _____________________
Date: _____________________
Title: _____________________
Date: _____________________
Client Signature
Print Name: _____________________
Title: _____________________
Date: _____________________
Title: _____________________
Date: _____________________
This template is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for your specific situation.
Consulting Agreement FAQ
What should a consulting agreement include?
A consulting agreement should include: a clear description of consulting services and deliverables, the engagement start and end dates, hourly or project-based fees and invoicing schedule, expense reimbursement policy, confidentiality obligations, intellectual property ownership, non-solicitation terms, and termination conditions.
What is the difference between a consulting agreement and an employment contract?
A consulting agreement establishes an independent contractor relationship — the consultant is self-employed, sets their own hours, and is responsible for their own taxes and benefits. An employment contract creates an employer-employee relationship with payroll taxes, benefits, and greater employer control over how work is performed.
Should a consultant charge hourly or by project?
Both models work well. Hourly billing is better for open-ended engagements or when scope is uncertain. Project-based (fixed-fee) billing works well for clearly defined deliverables and appeals to clients who want cost certainty. Monthly retainer agreements provide steady income for ongoing advisory relationships.
Is this consulting agreement template free?
Yes, completely free — no account, no watermark, no time limit. Edit and download as many consulting agreements as you need.
Can I include a non-compete clause?
Non-compete clauses limit the consultant from working with competitors for a specified period. Enforceability varies significantly by state — California generally does not enforce non-competes for independent contractors. Non-solicitation clauses (preventing poaching of clients or employees) are often a more enforceable alternative. Consult an attorney before including restrictive covenants.