Service Agreement Template
A general service agreement for service providers and clients, covering deliverables, fees, and responsibilities.
What this template includes
- ✓Description of services, term, and fees
- ✓Invoice disputes, expenses, and payment terms
- ✓Client responsibilities and change requests
- ✓Deliverables, IP ownership, and confidentiality
- ✓Warranties, insurance, and indemnification
- ✓Limitation of liability and termination
- ✓Dispute resolution, force majeure, and electronic signatures
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SERVICE AGREEMENT
This Service Agreement (the "Agreement") is entered into on between:
Service Provider: , located at ("Provider"); and
Client: , located at ("Client").
1. SERVICES
The Provider will provide the following services (the "Services"):
The Provider will perform the Services with reasonable skill and care.
2. TERM
This Agreement starts on and continues until or until the Services are completed, unless ended earlier under the Termination section below.
3. FEES
The Client agrees to pay for the Services, according to the following schedule:
Invoices are due within days. Overdue amounts may accrue a late fee of .
4. INVOICE DISPUTES
If the Client disputes any part of an invoice, the Client must notify the Provider in writing within days of receiving it and explain the reason for the dispute. Any amount not disputed within that period is treated as accepted and remains due. Both parties will work in good faith to resolve any invoice dispute promptly.
5. EXPENSES
The Client will reimburse reasonable, pre-approved expenses the Provider incurs in performing the Services. For any single expense over , the Provider will obtain the Client's written approval before incurring it.
6. CLIENT RESPONSIBILITIES
The Client will provide all information, materials, access, and approvals reasonably needed for the Provider to perform the Services on time. Delays caused by the Client may affect timelines and fees.
7. CHANGES
Either party may request changes to the scope of the Services. Agreed changes, including any effect on fees or timelines, will be confirmed in writing before work continues.
8. DELIVERABLES AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Upon full payment, ownership of the final deliverables created specifically for the Client transfers to the Client. The Provider retains rights in any pre-existing materials and grants the Client a license to use them as part of the deliverables.
9. CONFIDENTIALITY
Each party will keep the other's non-public information confidential and use it only for the purpose of this Agreement. When this Agreement ends, or on the other party's request, each party will return or securely destroy the other's confidential materials in its possession.
10. WARRANTIES
The Provider warrants that the Services will be performed professionally and that the deliverables will be its original work.
11. INSURANCE
The Provider is responsible for obtaining and maintaining any insurance appropriate for the Services, such as general liability or professional liability (errors and omissions) coverage. On the Client's reasonable request, the Provider will provide proof of the insurance it holds.
12. TERMINATION
Either party may terminate this Agreement with days' written notice, or immediately if the other party materially breaches and fails to fix it within days. The Client will pay for Services performed up to the termination date.
13. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
Except for breaches of confidentiality or intellectual property rights, the Provider's total liability under this Agreement will not exceed the total fees paid by the Client. Neither party is liable for indirect or consequential losses.
14. INDEMNIFICATION
The Provider will indemnify and hold the Client harmless from third-party claims, damages, losses, or reasonable legal costs that arise from the Provider's negligence, willful misconduct, or breach of this Agreement. Each party remains responsible for the consequences of its own acts and omissions.
15. INDEPENDENT PARTIES
The parties are independent contractors. This Agreement does not create a partnership, joint venture, or employment relationship, and neither party may bind the other without written authorization.
16. NON-EXCLUSIVITY
This Agreement is not exclusive. Both parties remain free to enter into similar agreements with others, as long as they continue to meet their obligations under this Agreement.
17. DISPUTE RESOLUTION
If a dispute arises out of this Agreement, the parties will first try to resolve it through good-faith negotiation. If they cannot resolve it within a reasonable time, they will attempt mediation before starting court proceedings. If mediation does not resolve the dispute, either party may bring the matter before the courts identified in the Governing Law section.
18. FORCE MAJEURE
Neither party is responsible for delays or failures in performing its obligations caused by events beyond its reasonable control, such as natural disasters, fire, flood, war, civil unrest, epidemics, or power and internet outages. The affected party will notify the other as soon as reasonably possible and resume performance once the event has passed.
19. LEGAL FEES
If legal action is necessary to enforce this Agreement, the prevailing party is entitled to recover its reasonable costs and attorney's fees, in addition to any other relief awarded.
20. ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES AND COUNTERPARTS
This Agreement may be signed in counterparts, each of which is considered an original and which together form one agreement. Electronic signatures, and copies of signatures delivered by email or through an electronic signing service, have the same legal effect as handwritten signatures on an original document.
21. GENERAL PROVISIONS
(a) Governing Law. This Agreement is governed by the laws of .
(b) Entire Agreement. This Agreement is the complete agreement between the parties and replaces any prior discussions, understandings, or agreements on this subject.
(c) Amendments. Any change to this Agreement must be in writing and signed by both parties.
(d) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in full effect.
(e) Waiver. If a party does not enforce a provision, it does not give up its right to enforce that or any other provision later.
(f) Assignment. Neither party may assign or transfer this Agreement without the other party's prior written consent.
(g) Notices. Any notice under this Agreement must be given in writing (email is acceptable) to the other party.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have signed this Agreement.
Date:
Provider
Name:
Signature: ______________________
Client
Name:
Signature: ______________________
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Sign It Free with SignovaXWhat is a service agreement?
A service agreement is a written contract between a service provider and a client that sets out exactly what work will be done, when, and for how much. It turns a verbal understanding into clear, enforceable terms that protect both sides if expectations, timelines, or payments are ever questioned.
Freelancers, agencies, consultants, and small businesses use service agreements for everything from marketing and design work to maintenance, IT support, and professional services. Any time one party performs work in exchange for payment, a service agreement makes the relationship official.
When should you use one?
Use a service agreement before starting any paid work — especially for ongoing projects, retainers, or anything where the scope, deliverables, or payment schedule matters. It is the single best way to prevent scope creep, late payments, and “that's not what we agreed on” disputes.
Even for small jobs, a short written agreement is worth it. If a disagreement ever ends up in mediation or court, a signed contract is the first thing anyone will ask to see.
What to include in a service agreement
A solid service agreement covers the scope of services, the fees and payment schedule, the project timeline, who owns the final work, confidentiality, and how either side can end the agreement. This template includes all of that, plus clauses for invoice disputes, expenses, liability limits, indemnification, and force majeure.
Fill in the highlighted fields — names, addresses, a description of the services, the fee, and the payment terms — then download the finished document.
How to fill in and sign this template
Complete the form above by replacing each placeholder with your own details. When you are done, download the finished document as a PDF or an editable Word file — completely free, with no account required.
To make it legally binding, upload the PDF to SignovaX and send it for signature. Your client signs online with a click — no account needed on their end — and every signed copy comes with a full audit trail (timestamps and IP addresses) plus a SHA-256 integrity hash.
Frequently asked questions
Is this service agreement template free?
Yes. You can fill it in and download it as a PDF or Word document for free, with no account required. You only need a SignovaX account if you want to send it for electronic signature.
Is a service agreement legally binding?
A service agreement becomes legally binding once both parties sign it and there is an exchange of value (the services and the payment). Signing electronically is valid in most countries under laws such as the U.S. ESIGN Act and the EU's eIDAS regulation.
Can I edit the template after downloading?
Yes. Download it as a Word (.docx) file to edit any clause, or adjust the fields directly in the form before downloading. You can tailor the scope, fees, and terms to fit your project.
What is the difference between a service agreement and a contract?
A service agreement is a type of contract — specifically one for providing services in exchange for payment. “Contract” is the general term, while a service agreement is the version used for service-based work.
Do I need a lawyer to use this template?
For most everyday projects, a clear written agreement like this one is enough. For high-value or complex arrangements, it is wise to have a qualified lawyer review it, since laws vary by location.
Disclaimer: This template is provided for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Laws vary by location. For important agreements, consider having a qualified lawyer review your contract before signing.