Legal Drafting
Service Agreement
A service agreement sets the terms for work performed by one party for another — scope, payment, and what happens if something goes wrong. It's the document that settles a dispute, not just the one you sign before the work starts.
What a service agreement needs to cover
- • The parties and a clear description of the services
- • Scope of work — specific enough to tell when it's actually done
- • Payment amount, schedule, and what triggers late fees
- • Timeline and deliverable deadlines
- • Who owns the work product once it's paid for
- • Termination terms — how either side can end the agreement early
- • Confidentiality terms, if sensitive information is shared
Where generic templates fall short
A vague scope-of-work section is the single most common reason service agreements end up in disputes — both sides can read "the project" differently once money is on the line. See what goes into a strong service agreement →
Hiring a contractor specifically?
If you're documenting an ongoing contractor relationship rather than a one-off project, an independent contractor agreement covers IP assignment and misclassification protections a general service agreement doesn't. Try the free independent contractor agreement generator →
Common Questions
Service Agreement FAQ
- A service agreement is a type of contract — specifically one covering work performed by one party for another, as opposed to a sale of goods or a lease. 'Contract agreement between two parties' and 'work agreement' usually mean the same thing.
Get your service agreement drafted
A licensed attorney drafts your agreement around your actual deal terms — not a fill-in-the-blank template.
This is general information, not legal advice for your specific agreement. Terms that are enforceable vary by state — confirm what applies to your deal before relying on any template.