Guide
How to Sign a Consulting Agreement Online
Consulting agreements establish the scope and fees for advisory services.
Steps
- 1
Draft engagement letter with scope and fees
- 2
Send to client for signature
- 3
Client reviews and signs electronically
- 4
Both parties receive certified copy
- 5
Start work immediately after signing
Try it with curl
curl -X POST https://signb.ee/api/send \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{
"content": "# Your Document\n\nContent here...",
"senderName": "Your Name",
"senderEmail": "you@email.com",
"recipientName": "Recipient",
"recipientEmail": "recipient@email.com"
}'Legal validity
Electronic signatures are legally binding under the ESIGN Act (US), eIDAS Regulation (EU), and Electronic Communications Act (UK). Every Signbee document includes a SHA-256 tamper-proof certificate.
More details
Consulting agreements (also called engagement letters) are the standard contract type for advisory, management consulting, and professional services. They differ from freelance contracts in that they typically involve ongoing advisory relationships rather than discrete deliverables.
Key differences from freelance contracts: - Typically hourly or retainer-based (not project-based) - May include advisory board participation - Often include non-solicitation clauses - May involve access to confidential business data
What to include in a consulting agreement: - Scope of advisory services - Fee structure (hourly rate, monthly retainer, project fee) - Expense reimbursement policy - Engagement duration and renewal terms - Confidentiality and non-disclosure obligations - Non-compete and non-solicitation (if applicable) - Liability limitations - Termination provisions with notice period
For consulting firms managing multiple engagements: template your standard engagement letter and use the API to generate client-specific versions with populated fields (client name, scope, rate, duration). Send for signature and start work the same day.
Frequently asked questions
Is a consulting agreement the same as a freelance contract?
They're similar but not identical. Consulting agreements typically cover ongoing advisory relationships with hourly/retainer billing, while freelance contracts define specific deliverables with project-based pricing.
Can consulting agreements be signed remotely?
Yes. Electronic consulting agreements are legally binding under ESIGN (US), eIDAS (EU), and ECA (UK). Both parties sign remotely from any device.
Related resources
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