- Estimate: Prior to presenting the client with a contract you will have prepared a detailed job quote or estimate outlining the specific elements of the job and associated costs. Based on the client's approval of that estimate you'll then present them with a freelance design contract to sign. Within the contract (or an attachment made part of the agreement) include either the total or break it down into labor, materials, and other specific costs.
- Payment Terms: This section covers deposits, when final payment is due (upon delivery, within 30 days of receipt of invoice, etc.), discounts (for cash/early payment), and any other payment options.
- Deposit: Part of the payment terms will be the stipulation as to how and when an intial deposit is paid. Get a Deposit
- Cancellation Fee: Commonly referred to as the kill fee this payment helps insure you get paid for work done prior to a client cancelling a project. Include a Kill Fee in Your Design Contract
- Miscellaneous Expenses: Some expenses for which the client (or sometimes the designer) is responsible may be set out in separate clauses. One of these might be Author's Alterations, that is, changes or revisions that the customer makes that result in additional costs not covered in the estimate. Charges for turning over original artwork, print overruns, and the cost of samples for the designer's use (see: Get Samples of Your Work) may be specifically addressed in the contract.
Project Details | Project Costs | Ownership and Copyright
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