How to write your Services Retainer Agreement
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Writing the Services Retainer Agreement document
RETAINER AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made this Current Day day of Current Month, Current Year by and between Company Name ("Company") and Company Name ("Customer").
In consideration of the mutual covenants set forth in this Agreement, Customer and Company hereby agree as follows:
Engagement of Services
Company agrees to render to Customer professional services as follows:
Insert the type of service to be covered under this retainer here.
In addition to professional services, Customer agrees to pay for additional expenses and third party costs incurred for or on behalf of Customer, including, but not limited to:
Copies, shipping, courier services, printing, media costs (disks, storage, etc). Insert any additional type of expense to be covered under this retainer here.
Billing and Understanding of Rates
Fees are based on the actual time spent on services performed, at a rate of Hourly Rate per hour, billed in quarter hour (25) increments. Travel Rates shall be billed at Hourly Rate per hour and Insert the Travel Mileage Rate per mile. Phone conferences shall be billed at actual time when demanded or scheduled ahead of time by customer. Customer acknowledges that all phone or email time spent working on services for Customer shall be subject to the hourly billing rate.
Rates are guaranteed for 120 days from the date of this agreement. Rates may be adjusted after this date without prior approval. All estimates of time to complete a given task are based on our evaluation of the task, the extent of Company's involvement and the complexity of the task to be performed.
During the course of working for Customer, additional requirements or problems may become evident or additional work may be requested or required. Customer further understands that all estimates are done using the information made available to Company by Customer and that all estimates may be subject to modification at any time. Company shall submit an itemized account of all time spent on a particular task, and Company shall not exceed Insert Maximum Billing Amount in monthly billing without Customer's prior written or unilateral verbal approval.
Cancellation
Should Customer ultimately not engage Company for services, Customer agrees to a cancellation fee of Insert the Retainer Cancellation Fee to be deducted from the retainer, in addition to any expenses or third party costs Company has paid on behalf of Customer. Upon termination or expiration of Agreement, Customer agrees to be solely responsible for any additional third party fees for any service utilized for or on behalf of Customer by Company. Additional expenses may include, but are not limited to: hosting fees, licenses, translations, royalties, talent, and other associated fees.
Retainer
To secure Company's commitment to perform the services listed above, Customer agrees to pay Company Insert the Retainer Contract Fee as a retainer, to be credited against all future services performed.
General Provisions
1 Entire Agreement
This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any and all prior agreements, written or oral, between the parties related to the subject matter hereof. No modification of this Agreement shall be valid unless made in writing and signed by both of the parties hereto.
2 Governing Law
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of State. Exclusive jurisdiction and venue shall be in the County County, State Superior Court.
3 Binding Effect
This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of Customer and Company and their respective successors and assigns, provided that Company may not assign any of its obligations under this Agreement without Customer's prior written consent.
4 Waiver
The waiver by either party of any breach or failure to enforce any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement at any time shall not in any way affect, limit, or waive such party's right thereafter to enforce and compel strict compliance with every term and condition of this Agreement.
5 Good Faith
Each party represents and warrants to the other that such party has acted in good faith, and agrees to continue to so act, in the negotiation, execution, delivery, performance, and any termination of this Agreement.
6 Right to Withhold Creative Content and Services
In the event Customer fails to make any of the payments set forth on Exhibit A within the time prescribed in Exhibit A, Company has the right to withhold further creative content and services performed for or on behalf of Customer until payment in full is made, plus accrued late charges of 1 1/2% per month.
7 Indemnification
Customer agrees to indemnify and hold Company harmless from any and all claims brought by any third party relating to any aspect of the services, including, but without limitation, any and all demands, liabilities, losses, costs and claims, including attorney's fees, arising out of injury caused by Customer's products/services, material supplied by Customer, copyright infringement, and defective products sold via the advertising or services. Further, Customer agrees to indemnify Company from responsibility for problems/disruptions caused by third party services and contractors that Customer may use, such as media buyers, transportation, merchant accounts, shopping carts, shipping, hosting services, real-time credit card processing, and other services that relate to the execution of the services outlined in this Agreement by Company.
8 Use of Services and Creative Content for Promotional Purposes
Customer grants Company the right to use the creative content, description of services performed, results of services and campaign data as it sees fit for promotional purposes.
9 No Responsibility for Theft
Company has no responsibility for any third party taking all or any part of the content, ideas, or services provided to Customer by Company.
10 Attorney's Fees
In the event any party to this Agreement employs an attorney to enforce any of the terms of the Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover its actual attorney's fees and costs, including expert witness fees.
11 Term of Agreement
This Agreement shall begin on Current Date and shall continue in full force until terminated by either party upon at least thirty (30) days prior written notice.
Both parties represent and warrant that, on the date first written above, they are authorized to enter into this Agreement in entirety and duly bind their respective principals by their signatures below:
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Alternate Documents
Related Documents
- Exhibit A (Payment Terms)
- Project Change Request Form (During Maintenance)
- Contract Change Form (During Development)
- Milestone Waiver Agreement
- Contract Milestone Acceptance Signoff Form
- Project Contract Acceptance Signoff Form
- Project Contract Acceptance Signoff Form (Verbose)
- Contract Dissolution Agreement
- Invoice Billing Template
- Billable Services Reference Sheet
Key Takeaways
- The Services Retainer Agreement is available as a ready-to-edit template.
- The Contract Packs and Professional Bundle include many related agreements and documents.
- You can automate financials and data merging into contracts using a Contract Pack or Professional Bundle.
- You can also create business proposals and integrate your contracts using the Professional Bundle.
- There are no ongoing subscription fees. You get lifetime unlimited use.
How to Build a Legal Contract with Proposal Kit
This video illustrates how to create a legal contract using the Proposal Pack Wizard software. It also shows how to create a proposal with an invoice and contract at the same time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I customize this contract to fit my business needs?
Customizing this contract involves editing the document to include your business details, terms, and conditions. The templates are designed to be flexible, allowing you to insert your company's name, address, and other relevant information. You can modify clauses to reflect your unique business practices and legal requirements.
Is this contract compliant with laws and regulations?
The legal contract templates are written by legal professionals and designed to comply with current laws and regulations at the time of their writing. However, laws can vary by jurisdiction and change over time, so it's recommended to have your contract reviewed by a local attorney to ensure it meets all legal requirements specific to your region and industry. Templates are licensed as self-help information and not as legal advice.
Can I use the same contract for different clients or projects?
You can use the same contract for different clients or projects. The templates are versatile and easily adapted for various scenarios. You will need to update specific details such as client names, project descriptions, and any unique terms for each new agreement to ensure that each contract accurately reflects the particulars of the individual client or project.
What should I do if I encounter a clause or term I don't understand?
If you encounter a clause or term in the contract that you need help understanding, you can refer to guidance notes explaining each section's purpose and use. For more complex or unclear terms, it's advisable to consult with a legal professional who can explain the clause and help you determine if any modifications are necessary to suit your specific needs.
How do I ensure that the contract is legally binding and enforceable?
To ensure that the contract is legally binding and enforceable, follow these steps:
- Complete all relevant sections: Make sure all blanks are filled in with accurate information.
- Include all necessary terms and conditions: Ensure that all essential elements, such as payment terms, deliverables, timelines, and responsibilities, are clearly defined.
- Signatures: Both parties must sign the contract, and it is often recommended that the contract be witnessed or notarized, depending on the legal requirements in your jurisdiction.
- Consult a legal professional: Before finalizing the contract, have it reviewed by an attorney to ensure it complies with applicable laws and protects your interests.
By Ian Lauder
Disclaimers
Proposal Kit, Inc. makes no warranty and accepts no responsibility for the suitability of any materials to the licensee's business. Proposal Kit, Inc. assumes no responsibility or liability for errors or inaccuracies. Licensee accepts all responsibility for the results obtained. The information included is not legal advice. Names in use cases have been fictionalized. Your use of the contract template and any purchased packages constitutes acceptance and understanding of these disclaimers and terms and conditions.