What to Include in Every Client Service Agreement

June 2024

You landed a client. You're excited. You're ready to dive in. But before you start delivering work or collecting payments, there’s one critical step many service-based businesses skip (and later regret): a clear, written client service agreement.

Whether you're a consultant, freelancer, creative, or startup, this document isn’t just a formality, it’s your best protection. At Moeller Law PLLC, we help service providers lock in the key terms up front, using AI-powered tools and legal resources to draft agreements quickly, affordably, and with zero fluff.

1. Clear Scope of Work

A solid agreement starts by defining exactly what you’re providing. “Social media management” or “marketing services” is far too vague. What platforms? How many posts per week? Is strategy included? One firm we worked with once took on a client without a written scope. The client later demanded daily output, outreach, and customer service responses, none of which had been discussed.

Moeller Law PLLC helps service providers avoid this trap by clearly outlining deliverables, timelines, and responsibilities. Our streamlined drafting tools ensure nothing gets missed, while our lean structure means you’re not paying premium rates for common-sense protections.

2. Payment Terms, Timing and Termination

You did the work. Now you want to get paid. But without clear payment terms, you’re at the mercy of your client’s schedule, or worse, their whims. We’ve seen consultants go unpaid for months because they never specified due dates or consequences for late payment. That’s a painful and preventable lesson.

Our firm helps you lock in practical payment terms that work for your business—whether you’re billing hourly, on a retainer, or per project. We also include language about late fees, cancellation policies, and what happens if a client ghosts.  In addition, we include fair termination provisions that let you exit the contract cleanly if needed, while still protecting your time and investment. You deserve to be paid for what you’ve done even if the project doesn’t make it to the finish line.

3. Intellectual Property Rights

Who owns the work once it’s delivered? You’d be surprised how often this is a point of confusion and conflict.  In one case, a developer created a custom tool, assuming she retained the rights to reuse the code. According to the written agreement (which the client read but didn’t fully understand) however, the client assumed full ownership. Cue the legal standoff.

At Moeller Law PLLC, we help define ownership rights clearly and in plain English. Do you want to license your work or hand it off entirely? Do you want the right to reuse templates or code snippets with other clients? We help you set those terms on your terms.

4. Dispute Resolution and Legal Protections

It’s not fun to think about what happens if things go wrong but ignoring it won’t make it any easier if it does.  We once advised a service provider who was threatened with a lawsuit by a client in a completely different state. Without a governing law or venue clause in place, they were at risk of defending themselves on unfamiliar turf. That adds legal fees and complexity fast.

Moeller Law PLLC includes default protections like dispute resolution procedures, choice of law, and mediation clauses.  We often recommend binding mediation to avoid litigation entirely. These aren’t just legal formalities, they’re practical safeguards.

Bonus: Confidentiality and Non-Solicitation

Depending on your line of work, it might make sense to include confidentiality language and a non-solicitation clause. If you’re sharing proprietary processes or working closely with your own team, you don’t want clients lifting your systems or poaching your people.  We can include these clauses as needed, tailored to your business and risk profile.

A client service agreement isn’t just legal armor, it’s a business tool. It helps you start every project with clarity, professionalism, and the confidence that you're protected no matter how things unfold.

At Moeller Law PLLC, we blend attorney expertise with AI-enabled tools and a modern cost structure to provide high-quality, customized service agreements without traditional law firm bloat.

Need help drafting or updating your client contracts? Let’s talk.