This free Service Agreement template is a ready-to-use document you can fill in, export and send today. Legal agreement mapping service level agreements (SLAs), provider obligations, and client responsibilities. Use it to agree scope, money and ownership in writing before the work starts, so a disagreement in month six has an answer. Every field is editable, the preview updates as you type, and the finished file downloads as PDF or Word with no watermark and no sign-up.
SLAs, liability caps and the auto-renewal trap
A service agreement lives or dies on its service levels. Pick metrics that are measurable and that actually matter to the client: uptime as a percentage, response time to a request, resolution time for an incident, and the remedy when a target is missed, usually a service credit rather than a cash refund. Vague promises like best efforts give neither side anything to hold onto, so define how each metric is measured and over what period.
The liability cap decides who carries the risk when something goes wrong. Providers commonly cap total liability at the fees paid over the prior 12 months and exclude indirect or consequential losses, while clients push for higher caps or carve-outs for confidentiality breaches, IP infringement and gross negligence. There is no universal correct number; it reflects the deal's size and risk, and how far each side is willing to negotiate.
Watch the auto-renewal clause. Many agreements renew automatically unless cancelled a set number of days before the term ends, which can trap a client into another year. If you include one, state the renewal term, the notice window and how to give notice; if you are signing one, diarise the cancellation deadline. Some jurisdictions regulate auto-renewals, so this is general information and terms should be reviewed locally.
Who this Service Agreement template is for
- Freelancers and agencies engaging clients
- Small businesses onboarding vendors or contractors
- Anyone who has been burned by scope creep or a late payment
What's included in this Service Agreement template
- Provider company name
- Provider address
- Provider contact person
- Client name
- Client company name
- Client address
- Service description
- Service scope
- Service frequency
- Start date
- End date
- Service fee
- Payment method
- Payment due date
- Sla terms
- Cancellation policy
- Liability limit
- Confidentiality clause
- Provider signature
- Client signature
How to use this Service Agreement template
- 1Name both parties by their full legal entity, not a trading name.
- 2List deliverables as nouns, then list what is explicitly out of scope.
- 3Set the fee, the payment schedule, and what happens when a payment is late.
- 4Say when intellectual property transfers — on final payment, not on delivery.
- 5Both parties sign and date, and each keeps a signed PDF.
Service Agreement: mistakes to avoid
- The out-of-scope paragraph is the most valuable one in the document.
- Tie your deadlines to the client's inputs: "within 10 business days of receiving brand assets".
- Ask for portfolio rights explicitly. Clients rarely object, and asking later is harder.
- Name a governing jurisdiction. "We'll sort it out" is not a dispute-resolution clause.
Frequently asked questions
Is this Service Agreement legally binding?
Once both parties sign and there is a clear offer, acceptance and consideration, an agreement of this kind is generally binding. Contract law is jurisdiction-specific, so have your standard version reviewed once by a lawyer where you operate — then reuse it.
Can I edit the clauses?
Yes, and you should. Delete what does not apply rather than trying to remember to add it. Deleting is safer than remembering.
When does the client own the work?
Whenever this document says so — and it should say on receipt of final payment, not on delivery. Until then you grant a licence, you do not assign ownership. That single clause is what lets you stop work if an invoice goes unpaid.
Do I also need a separate NDA?
Not if this agreement already contains a mutual confidentiality clause. A standalone NDA is worth signing earlier — during pitching or due diligence, before any contract exists.