ClauseryFree consulting agreement template (Word)
A consulting agreement with a monthly retainer or a day rate, a list of deliverables with due dates, confidentiality, ownership of materials and a notice period.
No sign-up. Your answers stay in your browser. Who it is for: Independent consultants, advisers and fractional executives.
Updated · Word (.docx) · Free to use and adapt
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What is in the consulting agreement
- Parties and scope of the engagement
- Deliverables with due dates
- Monthly retainer or day rate
- Payment terms
- Independent contractor status
- Confidentiality and ownership of materials
- Term, notice and governing law
Read the full template
This is the complete wording. [Labels] are filled in from your answers, and highlighted text only appears when it applies; hover over it to see when.
CONSULTING AGREEMENT
This Consulting Agreement is made on [Effective date] between [Client name] (the "Client") and [Consultant name] (the "Consultant").
1. Engagement
The Client engages the Consultant to provide advice and services relating to [Engagement scope] (the "Services"), starting on [Start date].
2. Deliverables
Repeated for each deliverable
- [Title] by [Due date]
3. Fees
The Client will pay a monthly retainer of [Retainer amount], invoiced in advance at the start of each month.The Client will pay [Daily rate] per day of Services, invoiced monthly in arrears. Invoices are payable within [Payment days] days.
4. Relationship
The Consultant is an independent contractor and is responsible for their own taxes, insurance and working arrangements.
5. Confidentiality and ownership
The Consultant will keep the Client's confidential information secret. Reports and materials produced specifically for the Client belong to the Client once paid for; the Consultant keeps their pre-existing know-how, methods and tools.
6. Term and termination
This Agreement continues until [End date] unless either party ends it earlier with [Notice days] days' written notice.
7. Governing law
This Agreement is governed by the laws of [Governing law].
[Client name]: ____________________________
[Consultant name]: ____________________________
The questions you answer
Clausery turns the template into a short questionnaire. Optional parts only appear when they apply.
| Question | Type | Asked when |
|---|---|---|
| Effective date | Date | Always |
| Client name | Short text | Always |
| Consultant name | Short text | Always |
| Engagement scope | Long text | Always |
| Start date | Date | Always |
| Deliverables For each item: Title, Due date | Repeating group | Always |
| Monthly retainer | Yes / no | Always |
| Retainer amount | Money | If “Monthly retainer” is yes |
| Daily rate | Money | If “Monthly retainer” is no |
| Payment days | Number | Always |
| End date | Date | Always |
| Notice days | Number | Always |
| Governing law | Short text | Always |
How to use it
Open it
Click Fill it in now. The template opens in Clausery with its questionnaire ready.
Answer the questions
Work through the sections. Drafts save as you type, on your device.
Download the document
Get a finished Word file with your formatting intact, or print it to PDF.
Prefer to start from your own wording? Download the Word file, edit it, keep the {tags}, and upload it to Clausery. See the template syntax.
Questions
Retainer or day rate?
A retainer suits ongoing advisory work; a day rate suits projects with uneven effort. One question switches between them.
Who owns the reports?
Materials made specifically for the client belong to the client once paid for; the consultant keeps their own methods and know-how.
Is it really free?
Yes. The download is free, and filling it in with the Clausery app is free too, with unlimited documents. Library templates never count towards a plan limit, and no account or card is needed.
Is my information uploaded anywhere?
No. Clausery runs entirely in your browser. Your answers and the finished document are created and stored on your own device.
Is this legal advice?
No. These are general samples. Laws differ between countries and states, so have the wording reviewed for your situation before you rely on it.
Clauses in this template, explained
- Indemnification clause
- Limitation of liability clause
- Force majeure clause
- Confidentiality clause
- Non-solicitation clause
- Non-compete clause
- Payment terms clause
- Intellectual property assignment clause
- Independent contractor clause
- Termination for convenience clause
- Termination for cause clause
- Governing law and jurisdiction clause
- Dispute resolution clause
- Entire agreement clause
- Assignment clause
Guide: What to include in a statement of work (SOW)
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This template is a general sample and not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction; have it reviewed before use.