A service agreement is the difference between a clear working relationship and a messy dispute. It writes down what you will deliver, when, for how much, and what happens if things change, before the work starts. Here is what belongs in one.
A service agreement (sometimes called a services contract) sets out the terms between a provider and a client for work to be done. It covers the scope, the fee, the timeline and the responsibilities of each side, so both know exactly what was agreed.
It protects you from the most common source of conflict in service work: scope creep and payment disputes. When the deliverables and the price are written down and signed, there is far less room for a client to expect more than you quoted, or to delay paying for what you delivered.
Use one before starting any meaningful piece of client work, from consulting and design to trades and maintenance. The bigger the job or the newer the client, the more it matters.
Agree and sign it before work begins, and reference it on your invoices so billing lines up with what was contracted. Attach a deposit term so the client commits up front.
The clauses a solid service agreement should cover.
Pairs with a linked invoice. Turn the agreed scope and fee into an invoice that references the agreement. Open the tool.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Agreement templates are a starting point and may need adjusting for your situation and the laws where you are. For anything high-value or complex, have a qualified lawyer review it.
A quotation offers a price. A service agreement is the full contract, covering scope, timeline, responsibilities and terms, and is signed by both parties. Many jobs start with a quote and firm up into an agreement.
For very small, quick jobs a clear quotation may be enough. For anything substantial or with a new client, a signed agreement protects you from scope and payment disputes.
Reference the agreement on your invoice so the amount billed matches what was contracted. In Remit you can create the invoice from the same account.
Create your free account and make your first document in under a minute. No card, no caps.
Get started free