Most freelancers learn about contracts the hard way — after a client ghosts on a $3,000 invoice or copies their work without permission.

Here are the 5 documents you should have locked in before you take on another project:

1. Service Agreement / Contract

Defines scope, timelines, payment terms, and what happens when things go sideways. This alone has saved me from 3 nightmare clients.

2. Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)

If you're seeing their proprietary data, strategies, or unreleased products — get this signed first. Protects both sides.

3. Invoice Template

Professional invoices with clear payment terms (net 15/30), late fees, and your business details. Stops the "oh I forgot" excuses.

4. Scope Change / Amendment Agreement

"Can you also just quickly..." — No. Scope creep kills margins. This document makes changes official and billable.

5. Privacy Policy

If you collect any client data (emails, payment info, analytics), you legally need one in most jurisdictions. Don't skip it.

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I put together a full vault of these templates (and 20+ more) — all professionally written, ready to customize, no lawyer needed.

If you're tired of Googling "free contract template" and getting garbage PDFs from 2014, check out what I built.