Contract analysis for freelancers
Most freelancers lose $300–$2,000 per project to contract clauses they never read carefully. Kill fees buried in definitions. IP that transfers automatically. Scope language that lets clients demand unlimited revisions.
Covert Free finds them before you sign.
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PDF, Word doc, or paste the text. Any standard freelance agreement works — NDAs, project contracts, retainers.
Every section is analyzed for payment terms, IP ownership, termination conditions, revision limits, and liability exposure.
A plain-English report: what's flagged, what it actually means, and what you might want to push back on before signing.
Every client contract has language that favors the client. That's not a conspiracy — it's just how they're drafted. Here's who gets caught out most.
IP assignment clauses that transfer your work-for-hire rights permanently — including work you created before the project. Common, and almost never negotiated.
Kill fees that trigger only if the client cancels, not if they stall indefinitely. Unlimited revision language hiding in "reasonable amendments."
Scope language with no ceiling. "As needed" deliverables with no definition of done. Clauses that let clients expand scope without a change order.
New to freelancing means new to contract law. You don't know what you don't know — and the first bad contract is usually the most expensive lesson.
"All work product, including preliminary materials and concepts developed during or prior to this engagement, shall be considered work made for hire..."
IP trap: "Prior to this engagement" means your existing portfolio samples, code libraries, or design assets could belong to this client. Get this removed.
"Client may request revisions at any time during the project. Contractor agrees to accommodate reasonable revision requests at no additional charge."
Scope creep: "Reasonable" is undefined. This is unlimited revisions. Negotiate a fixed number (typically 2–3 rounds) with a rate for anything beyond.
"Either party may terminate this agreement with 30 days written notice. Upon termination by Client, payment shall be due for work completed to date at the agreed hourly rate."
Missing kill fee: No flat kill fee means if they cancel a $10,000 project at 80% completion, you only get paid for hours logged — not the value of work delivered.
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