Create a Service Contract Template

What Is a Service Contract?

A Service Contract or Service Agreement is a formal written bond between a service provider and its client or customer.

The service provider agrees to provide services, ranging from individually designed to professional, and the client agrees to pay for these services in accordance with the provisions of the contract.

Download a basic Service Contract here or find a specific agreement that fits your particular circumstances by browsing the links below.

This is an agreement signed by a contractor and a customer to establish the scope of services a customer expects to receive from the service provider.

Types of Service Contracts

A mutual agreement for services legally binds the parties involved by setting forth their responsibilities towards each other and the penalties for violating those responsibilities. The document protects both parties by outlining the information on payments, the mode of payment, deadlines, and job duties along with clauses on dispute resolution and governing law.

While verbal agreements seem like the easy solution and, in some states, may even be enforceable, we recommend drafting a written and legally watertight Service Contract to protect your rights as either the client or the service provider.

Service Contract Terms and Conditions

Most Service Contracts will include the same general clauses and provisions regarding the scope of work, the general schedule of deliverables, working hours (if set), total cost and upfront fees, termination conditions, and a clause regarding governing law.

There are three main ways to structure a basic Service Contract.

  1. Time and Materials. This is the simplest type of Service Contract. The agreement is entered into strictly by two parties, where the service provider logs their hours and gets paid according to the hours worked
  2. Retainer-Based Contracts. A retainer-based contract is similar to the first type in the way it is set up. These agreements propose a certain set amount of work time (per week, per month, etc.) with a flat rate paid for that time regardless of the actual hours that end up being used.
  3. Fixed Scope Contracts. A fixed scope or fixed bid contract is a more risky and more elaborate contract. After a period of in-depth estimation and research, the service provider ends up with a work breakdown structure - the top-down decomposition of a project. These separate components are then estimated and the estimated price is presented to the client. The parties then agree on a fixed price for the entire scope of the service provider's work and set a fixed schedule of deliverables.

How to Write a Service Contract?

There are several vital points you have to cover when drafting a contract like this.

  1. Gather detailed identifying information about both parties. This includes full legal names, mailing addresses, and contact information.
  2. Provide a clear and accurate explanation of the services that will be required on the part of the service provider. Let’s say you hire an independent contractor to install tile flooring. Will they be responsible for moving the materials? Will they need to install a subfloor? Are you expecting them to do the cleaning or handle quality assurance after the work is done? An accurate description of services helps eliminate the chance of misunderstandings.
  3. Outline a payment schedule, decide on a method of payment, set the total cost of the project, and discuss an upfront fee.
  4. Add clauses regarding severability and the terms for termination. Include a set period for written notice and the conditions for receiving compensation in the event the contract is actually voided.

Both parties must sign the contract in duplicate in the presence of each other and keep copies for their personal records. A signed contract between two individuals with the capacity to contract is enforceable under the law and will hold up in court.


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Documents:

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This document is created for contractors who provide residential remodeling services. It includes areas for outlining the scope of work, its price, and legal terms and conditions and establishes the schedule of a construction project.

This document puts into detail the responsibilities that the property managers are accountable for.

This document details the major pieces of information related to the work of a professional photographer during a wedding event.

Use this form if you are an individual or if you represent a company and wish to refer prospective channels or clients to another party in exchange for compensation for the referral.

This form is used for contractors in Los Angeles County, California to provide information about their organization and verify their qualifications through a questionnaire or affidavit.

This form is used for assigning an engineering service contract in Russia. It specifies the terms and conditions of the contract, as well as the responsibilities and obligations of both parties involved.

This document is a Service Contract Agreement specific to the state of Kentucky. It outlines the terms and conditions for providing services in Kentucky and protects the rights and obligations of both parties involved in the agreement.

This document is a Servicing Facility Agreement specific to the state of Michigan. It outlines the terms and conditions for a facility that provides servicing services.

This document provides assurances and contract details for heating system improvement dealers and service providers in New Jersey. It ensures that customers receive quality service and protection for their heating systems.

This form is used for an Individual Service Agreement in the state of New Jersey. It outlines the terms and conditions for specific services provided to an individual.

This form is used for creating a services plan in Ohio. It helps outline the specific services that will be provided and the terms of the agreement.

This Form is used for the annual review of a utility service contract for electric service. It helps to ensure that the contract is being properly fulfilled and that any necessary updates or changes are made.

This Form is used for reviewing the annual contract for water and sewage services. It is used to ensure that the utility services are being provided as agreed upon in the contract.

This form is used for documenting the family composition of those receiving contracted services through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program in Utah. It helps determine eligibility and benefits.

This document is for individuals or organizations who hold a service contract with the United Nations' World Food Programme. It outlines the terms and conditions of the contract and the responsibilities of the contract holder.

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This agreement lays out the terms of a transaction for goods or services, identifying the goods sold, listing delivery instructions, the inspection period, warranties, and payment details.

This document is used as a contractor agreement: it records the terms and conditions of a booking arrangement between an event planner (client) and the DJ that details the information pertinent to the service provided.

Download this legal document to have a written record of the terms and conditions agreed upon by the designer and the client to refer to in case any disagreements ever occur.

This is a binding agreement between the client and the web designer or developer. It contains a detailed scope of work, timelines for deliverables, project phases, milestones, and payment schedules. It can also outline the distribution of work among various teams of the project.

This form contains the terms of engagement between the event planner and the client. It allows all the parties involved in the agreement to know the inclusions of the event planner service package, which helps to avoid misunderstandings throughout the work process.

This legal contract is signed by a lender and a borrower and specifies the conditions of the payment, the details of the loan, interest rates, and payment periods.

This is an agreement signed by a contractor and a customer to establish the scope of services a customer expects to receive from the service provider.

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If you are in need of a nanny to provide additional care for your child, this document could be of value in providing guidelines for a potential applicant.

The care of a child is of the utmost importance so having a contract with a care provider can provide peace of mind to parents as well as financial guarantees to potential caregivers.

Use this form to further guarantee the safety of your dog and to provide explicit guidelines for dog walking services.

Need to add an additional section to a previously signed contract? Check out this document to add to the agreement while still keeping the primary contract intact.

Use this document when you feel that the other party has breached your contract. This is a legal document that can help the other party understand the nature of the breach and how it can be corrected.

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This form can be useful to employers that wish to keep a professional on hand for services at a later point and time or freelancers that wish to have a guaranteed income.

This form allows you and another party to make a legal settlement agreement. This kind of agreement is generally used to bring a disagreement or dispute between separate parties to an end.

A document that establishes the relationship between a principal and an agent. Use this form to give someone the legal wherewithal to act on your behalf while also protecting your interests.

Are you knowledgeable about a particular sphere or industry? You may use this document to market your consulting services without any misunderstandings between you and your potential client.

This contract explains the terms of the working relationship between the freelancer and their employer.

Are you an organization or individual looking to utilize the services of volunteers? This document clearly outlines any information you would need to know when making an arrangement.

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