Web Development Contract
Tailored for developers. Covers source code ownership, deployment responsibilities, bug fix windows, hosting handoff, and maintenance terms.
When to use this contract
Tailored for developers. Covers source code ownership, deployment responsibilities, bug fix windows, hosting handoff, and maintenance terms. This template is essential for Development professionals who want clear, enforceable terms before starting any client work.
Without a written agreement, you are relying on verbal promises that will not hold up in a dispute. This contract covers the most common friction points: payment delays, scope creep, intellectual property ownership, and what happens if either party wants to end the project early. It gives you a written reference you can point to when disagreements arise, which resolves most issues before they escalate.
Use this contract before you write a single line of code, design a single asset, or deliver any work product. The few minutes it takes to customise and send this template can save you weeks of unpaid invoices and legal headaches later. Over 71% of freelancers report being paid late at least once per year; a signed contract with clear payment terms is the single most effective prevention tool.
This agreement works for both one-off projects and ongoing retainer relationships. For multi-project clients, pair it with a Statement of Work for each individual engagement so the master agreement covers the relationship while each SOW covers the specific deliverables.
What's included
Parties & Scope
Developer and client details, project overview
Technical Deliverables
Specific features, tech stack, and acceptance criteria
Source Code Ownership
Who owns the code after delivery and payment
Deployment & Hosting
Responsibilities for server setup and handoff
Bug Fix Window
Free bug fixes for a defined period after launch
Payment Schedule
Milestone payments with dates and amounts
Revisions & Change Requests
How scope changes are handled and priced
Timeline
Start date, milestones, and final delivery
Intellectual Property
Ownership of custom code, third-party libraries, and assets
Confidentiality & NDA
Protection of client's business information
Termination
Conditions for ending the contract early
Warranty Disclaimer
Limits on developer's liability
Governing Law
Jurisdiction for legal disputes
Support & Maintenance
Post-launch support terms and SLA
Kill Fee
Payment if project is cancelled mid-way
Dispute Resolution
Mediation/arbitration process
Key clauses explained
Every clause in this contract exists because a real freelancer lost money or legal leverage when it was missing. Here is what each section does and why it matters.
Parties & Scope
Developer and client details, project overview
This clause protects your interests and establishes clear expectations for both parties. Review it carefully before signing any agreement.
Technical Deliverables
Specific features, tech stack, and acceptance criteria
Defining the tech stack and acceptance criteria upfront prevents disputes about whether the delivered code meets the client's unstated expectations.
Source Code Ownership
Who owns the code after delivery and payment
Third-party libraries remain under their original open-source licenses. Only custom code written specifically for this project transfers to the client upon payment.
Deployment & Hosting
Responsibilities for server setup and handoff
This clause protects your interests and establishes clear expectations for both parties. Review it carefully before signing any agreement.
Bug Fix Window
Free bug fixes for a defined period after launch
A 30-day post-launch bug-fix period is industry standard. It covers defects in your code but excludes issues caused by the client modifying your work.
Payment Schedule
Milestone payments with dates and amounts
This clause protects your interests and establishes clear expectations for both parties. Review it carefully before signing any agreement.
Revisions & Change Requests
How scope changes are handled and priced
This clause protects your interests and establishes clear expectations for both parties. Review it carefully before signing any agreement.
Timeline
Start date, milestones, and final delivery
This clause protects your interests and establishes clear expectations for both parties. Review it carefully before signing any agreement.
Intellectual Property
Ownership of custom code, third-party libraries, and assets
IP clauses determine who owns the work and when. Transferring ownership only after full payment is your strongest leverage in a payment dispute.
Confidentiality & NDA
Protection of client's business information
This clause protects your interests and establishes clear expectations for both parties. Review it carefully before signing any agreement.
Termination
Conditions for ending the contract early
A clean exit strategy protects your income if the project ends early. Kill fees compensate you for lost time and opportunity cost when the client cancels mid-project.
Warranty Disclaimer
Limits on developer's liability
This clause protects your interests and establishes clear expectations for both parties. Review it carefully before signing any agreement.
Governing Law
Jurisdiction for legal disputes
Using your home jurisdiction means any disputes are resolved under laws you understand, in courts you can physically attend, giving you a significant home-court advantage.
Support & Maintenance
Post-launch support terms and SLA
This clause protects your interests and establishes clear expectations for both parties. Review it carefully before signing any agreement.
Kill Fee
Payment if project is cancelled mid-way
This clause protects your interests and establishes clear expectations for both parties. Review it carefully before signing any agreement.
Dispute Resolution
Mediation/arbitration process
Mediation before litigation is cost-effective. It resolves most subcontractor disputes without the expense and delay of court proceedings.
Plain-English Summary
Tailored for developers. Covers source code ownership, deployment responsibilities, bug fix windows, hosting handoff, and maintenance terms.
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Sample scenario
The situation: You quote a 6-week project for £8,000. At week 4, the client adds 'just a small shop' and a 'quick login system' — features that would double the scope. You have no written agreement covering changes.
The risk without a contract: Scope creep destroys your margin. Without a change-order process, you either absorb unpaid hours (losing money) or push back and damage the relationship. Either way, you are working without clear boundaries.
How this contract helps: The change-request clause requires written approval and additional payment for scope changes. The payment schedule is milestone-based (30/40/30), so you are paid as you progress, not just at the end. Source code ownership transfers only after full payment.