BeforeYouSign for freelancers & contractors
Understand project terms, IP ownership, payment, and termination — and protect your time and rights.
As a freelancer or contractor, you sign client agreements all the time: master agreements, project terms, NDAs, or statements of work. These documents are often long, full of legalese, and hide one-sided clauses on payment, deadlines, or intellectual property. BeforeYouSign gives you a quick plain-language overview — what you are really committing to, what the risks are, and what questions to ask before you sign.
Why BeforeYouSign
Everything you need to understand a contract before you sign
Clarity on payment and deadlines
The tool extracts and explains payment terms, invoicing deadlines, late fees, and what happens if either side fails to perform. You see whether there are unusual requirements (e.g. 90-day payment terms or carve-outs for client delays) and get concrete questions to raise in negotiations.
Protecting your IP and deliverables
Many contracts assign all rights to your work, code, or ideas to the client or include broad confidentiality clauses. The review highlights what is considered confidential, who owns what, and whether there are carve-outs — so you can decide whether to sign as-is or ask for changes.
Termination and aftermath
Termination conditions, notice periods, and what happens after the project ends are often buried in the text. You get a clear summary of how to exit, what notice is required, and whether there are penalties or ongoing obligations — so you are not surprised later.
Related articles
Useful articles about contracts and your rights in plain language.
Freelance Contracts and Tax Implications
What to keep in mind about tax status, deductions, and contract wording when you're a freelancer.
Read more →When to Walk Away from a Client Contract
Red flags in freelance contracts that should make you think twice before signing.
Read more →Scope Creep and Change Orders in Freelance Contracts
How to define scope, handle scope creep, and use change orders so you don't work for free.
Read more →What Every Upwork Contract Means in Plain Language
A plain-language breakdown of typical Upwork terms and what they mean for you.
Read more →Understanding Payment Terms in Client Agreements
What "net 30", "on acceptance", and other payment language really means for freelancers.
Read more →How to Spot Red Flags in Freelance Contracts
Common clauses that can hurt freelancers and how to identify them before you sign.
Read more →
Ready to understand your contract?
No sign-up. Your file is not stored permanently.
Analyze a contract- Plain-language overview in minutes
- Red flags and negotiation tips
- No sign-up, file not stored