Do I need a contract for a small €500 project?

Yes — even more so. Small projects are where freelancers get burned because they assume "it's not worth a contract." A one-page agreement with scope, fee, and Net days takes 15 minutes and protects the entire payment.

What's the minimum a freelance contract must include?

Names of both parties, scope of work, total fee, payment terms (deposit + Net days + late fee), IP transfer on full payment, and signatures with date. Everything else is helpful but not strictly required.

Should the deposit be refundable?

Standard practice is non-refundable once work starts. Make this explicit in the cancellation clause. If the client wants a refundable deposit, they should pay 100% on completion at a higher rate — pricing reflects risk.

What's a fair kill fee?

25–50% of the unbilled remaining fee is standard. For tightly-scheduled work (you turned down other clients) push toward 50%. Document the kill fee in the cancellation clause to avoid arguments.

Can I send a contract by email?

Yes. Under the EU eIDAS regulation and the US E-SIGN Act, electronic signatures are legally binding. Tools like DocuSign, HelloSign, or even an emailed PDF with a typed signature plus "I agree" reply qualify. Keep the signed copy for at least 6 years (most countries require this for tax records).

What if the client refuses to sign but wants to start?

Don't start. "We'll send the contract later" is the strongest predictor of late or non-payment. Politely insist: 30 minutes of pushback now beats 6 months of chasing.

How to Write a Freelance Contract Before You Invoice (2026)

Sending an invoice without a signed contract is the #1 cause of unpaid freelance work. Here's the exact contract structure that protects you — scope, payment terms, IP, kill fees — and how it ties to a clean invoice.