General Service Contract Template

A service contract is the cornerstone of any professional service relationship. It transforms a verbal understanding into a legally enforceable document that protects both the service provider and the client. Without a written contract, disputes about scope, payment, and deliverables can be extremely difficult to resolve.

This general service contract template is designed for broad applicability across service industries — from consulting and marketing to IT services and professional coaching. The agreement establishes the precise scope of services, the fee structure, the invoicing and payment schedule, intellectual property ownership, confidentiality obligations, representations and warranties of both parties, and clear procedures for contract modification and termination.

The "entire agreement" clause ensures that the written contract supersedes any previous verbal discussions or email exchanges — a critical provision that prevents disputes about what was agreed informally before the contract was signed.

This template uses clear, modern contract language that is legally structured yet readable. Both parties should review the agreement carefully before signing, and may propose modifications through negotiation.