Design Contracts

for Freelance Web Designers

Jacob C. Myers - 2012
Introduction To Form Documents
This guide contains form and example documents essential to any web design business. The available docu-
ments are listed below.

To Complete the Form:

1. Follow the instructions included in this pack.
2. Replace the bracketed placeholders ( [PLACEHOLDER] ) with your information.
3. Follow any instructions ( -- INSTRUCTION: included instruction. -- ) included in the form.
4. Use the example documents as a reference for creating your own document.
5. Print and Enjoy!

List of Available Form Documents

1. Project Proposal: Explains project essentials such as scope, milestones, timeline and fees. Use with either
the Full Terms & Conditions or Condensed Terms & Conditions.
Project Proposal
A written proposal can make a lasting impression on a client and should be used frequently. Proposals include
specific details which vary quite a bit based on the individual project. However, there is a fairly standard struc-
ture for the proposal document itself. Most proposal documents follow a fairly standard structure, though spe-
cific structure can vary based on the individual project and designer. Most proposal documents include:

1. A description of the scope of work and specific objectives for this project, meaning need that must be met
and the targets that must be hit.
2. Your work process including descriptions of your design phases, milestones, sequence of steps, deliver-
ables, number of comps, included revisions, timeframes, client responsibilities, format for delivery, etc.
3. A schedule of fees, taxes, total fees and expenses, recap of the milestones and total timeframe.
4. A schedule of billing, detailing invoice amounts and when they happen during the project.
5. Chose either the Full Terms & Conditions or Condensed Terms & Conditions.
6. Signature lines.
7. It’s also a good idea to include a line inviting the client to follow-up with you and to show a willingness to
revise or negotiate the scope of work, if needed.

Instructions on using a Project Proposal

The Scope of Work should include an introductory paragraph summarizing what is to be done. The rest of the
Scope of Work should describe the phases and milestones of project development. If the client is not familiar
with the design process, include an explanation of what you are doing at each phase and when the client will be
given materials. Be as specific as possible when describing the project. Include detailed information about the
nature and number of deliverables. Describe the project well enough to accurately convey the complexity of the
proposed project.

Design work is typically billed in phases. For a flat-fee project, it may be best to break the fee out by design
phase. It will be easier to collect fee for work completed, if the project is canceled.

Include either the Full Terms & Conditions or Condensed Terms & Conditions.

Include a cover letter, on your letterhead, when presenting a client with a Project Proposal. In it, mention the
source of your contact, your availability and time constraints, and invite further discussion of the proposal.
Keep it short and sweet.

"Dear [Potential Client],

[Contact], a friend of yours, recommended that I contact you about building a website for your business. [Con-
tact] as explained the nature of your business and its website needs. I believe I can help. Please review the attached
project proposal and feel free to contact me if you wish to discuss this project further.

Thank You,
Signed [Designer].

Included Documents:
1. Project Proposal Template Form (6 pages)
2. Example Project Proposal (6 pages)
 Project Proposal Template Form
Project Proposal #[JOB NUMBER], [DATE]

[YOUR NAME]
[PROJECT TITLE]
 Prepared For: Prepared By:

[DATE] [YOUR NAME]

[CLIENT NAME] [YOUR ADDRESS]
[CLIENT TITLE] [YOUR TELEPHONE]
[CLIENT COMPANY NAME] [YOUR FAX]
[CLIENT COMPANY ADDRESS] [YOUR EMAIL]

Project Proposal #[JOB NUMBER], [DATE]

Scope of Work
[SCOPE OF WORK]
Project Proposal #[JOB NUMBER], [DATE]

Work Plan & Milestones

The table below outlines the work process phases, milestones, due dates, deliverables and fees needed to complete this project. This four phase
process begins at the concept phase where everything is planned, then the design phase where look and feel (artwork) is produced, next is the techni-
cal phase where design is given life, and finally the testing phase where everything is thoroughly tested and reviewed. This process is designed to en-
sure project efficiency and your complete satisfaction.

Concept Phase
Milestone Due Date Deliverables Fee

Design Phase
Milestone Due Date Deliverables Fee

Technical Phase
Milestone Due Date Deliverables Fee

Test Phase
Milestone Due Date Deliverables Fee
 Total:

Project Proposal #[JOB NUMBER], [DATE]

Detail
Thank you for this opportunity. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this project proposal or included terms & conditions, please don't
hesitate to call [PHONE].

Concept Elements
Description Fee

Design Elements
Description Fee

Technical Elements
Description Fee

Subtotal:

Tax:

Total:

Project Proposal #[JOB NUMBER], [DATE]

Terms & Conditions

All information in this proposal is subject the the following terms and conditions:

[TERMS & CONDITIONS]

-- INSTRUCTION: Choose an appropriate set of terms and conditions. I recommend using either the Full Terms & Conditions or Condensed
Terms & Conditions found in this guide. --
Project Proposal #[JOB NUMBER], [DATE]

Signatures
Client's signature below authorizes designer to begin work. If the information and terms in this proposal are to Clients satisfaction and ap-
proval, kindly return a signed copy of this Project Proposal to Designer.
Designer Signature Print Designer Name Date

Client Signature Print Client Name Date

Project Proposal Example

Project Proposal #00009, April 25, 2012

Designer Samus Samuelson

Meat Packing Business Website

Prepared For: Prepared By:

April 25, 2012 Samus Samuelson

Beaufort Brimley 512 Main St.
Owner Brea, CA 99999
Fancy Meats Co. Tel: 555-123-7890
123 Fake St. Fax: 555-123-7891
Orange, CA 99999 email@example.com

Project Proposal #00009, April 25, 2012

Scope of Work
I will develop a completely custom website for Fancy Meats Co. The goal of this website is to provide Fancy
Meats Co. with an online presence and to provide current and prospective customer vital information about
Fancy Meats Co. business operations.

The website will be a 5 page website consisting of the following pages: Home, About, Contact, Services, Pro-
file. The home page will have text and pictures about Fancy Meat Co. The about page will give a company his-
tory. The contact page will have a form allowing customers to send an email to Fancy Meat Co. The services
page will list services. The profile page will have a photo and profile for each of Fancy Meat Co.s 12 employ-
ees.

The design process consists of four (4) phases: Concept, Design, Technical, and Testing. In the concept phase, I
begin work by outlining the basic flow and gathering text and images for the website. In the design phase I cre-
ate digital artwork for the outlined webpages and integrate the images and text. In the technical phase I enable
the website server, domains and add interactive functionality like forms and emails. In the testing phase, I check
the entire website to make sire it is operating as expected.

This website will work in all Grade-A browsers. It will not be designed to operate on mobile devices.

On the following pages, you will find a more detailed description of the project phases, timeline, due dates, de-
liverables and fees. You will also find a set of terms and conditions.
Project Proposal #00009, April 25, 2012

Work Plan & Milestones

The table below outlines the work process phases, milestones, due dates, deliverables and fees needed to complete this project. This four phase
process begins at the concept phase where everything is planned, then the design phase where look and feel (artwork) is produced, next is the techni-
cal phase where design is given life, and finally the testing phase where everything is thoroughly tested and reviewed. This process is designed to en-
sure project efficiency and your complete satisfaction.
 Concept Phase
Milestone Due Date Deliverables Fee

Work Begins When Received • Signed Contract $1,245

Information Architecture Week 1 • Site map $1,245

• Info Layout

Design Phase
Milestone Due Date Deliverables Fee

Visual Design Week 2 • Photoshop Design Template $1,245

• Contact Form Design
• Email Format

HTML / CSS Template Week 3 • Design in html/css $1,245

• Contact form in html/css
• Email in plaintext and html

Technical Phase
Milestone Due Date Deliverables Fee

Hosting Server Week 4 • Server Setup $1,245

• Domain Name Setup

Programming Week 5 • Form javascript and PHP $1,245

Test Phase
Milestone Due Date Deliverables Fee

Initial Test Week 6 • Upload website to server with test $1,245

credentials
• Tested Interface
• Tested form and email

Site Launch Week 7 • Move site to live status $1,245

Total: $9,960

Project Proposal #00009, April 25, 2012

Detail
Thank you for this opportunity. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this project proposal or included terms & conditions, please don't
hesitate to call 555-123-7890.

Concept Elements
Description Fee

Consulting $1,100

Research $500

Site Outline $900

Design Elements
Description Fee
 Site Template Design $2,200

Contact Form Design $1,500

Technical Elements
Description Fee

Server & Domain Setup $750

Contact Form Functions $2,550

HTML / CSS Development $1,460

Subtotal: $9,960

Tax: $0

Total: $9,960

Project Proposal #00009, April 25, 2012

Terms & Conditions

All information in this proposal is subject the the following terms and conditions:

Include: Full Terms & Conditions or Condensed Terms & Conditions.

Project Proposal #00009, April 25, 2012

Signatures
Client's signature below authorizes designer to begin work. If the information and terms in this proposal are to Clients satisfaction and ap-
proval, kindly return a signed copy of this Project Proposal to Designer.

Designer Signature Print Designer Name Date

Client Signature Print Client Name Date

Thank You!

Jacob C. Myers
Web Design Lawyer
Tel: 714-706-1337
jmyers@webdesignlaw.com
http://webdesignlaw.com/

Copyright 2012 - Jacob C. Myers