Guide
How to Sign a Subcontractor Agreement Online
Subcontractor agreements define the terms when you delegate work to another party.
Steps
- 1
Draft subcontractor terms with scope and payment
- 2
Send to subcontractor
- 3
Subcontractor reviews and signs
- 4
Both parties receive signed agreement
- 5
Clear documentation of delegated work terms
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
Subcontractor agreements protect both parties when work is delegated. Without one, the primary contractor is liable for the subcontractor's work quality, timelines, and IP handling — with no legal recourse.
Key differences from employment contracts: - Subcontractors are independent — they control how and when they work - No benefits, taxes, or employment protections - Subcontractors can work for multiple clients simultaneously - The agreement must not create an employment relationship (misclassification risk)
What to include: - Scope of delegated work (be specific to avoid scope creep) - Payment terms and milestones - Timeline and delivery deadlines - Quality standards and acceptance criteria - IP assignment (subcontractor's work product typically belongs to the hiring party) - Confidentiality and non-disclosure obligations - Insurance requirements (professional liability, general liability) - Indemnification and liability provisions - Termination conditions
Misclassification warning: If your subcontractor agreement looks too much like an employment contract (fixed hours, exclusive work, micromanaged tasks), you risk worker misclassification claims. Consult local employment law.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a subcontractor and an employee?
Subcontractors control how, when, and where they work. They use their own tools, can work for multiple clients, and don't receive benefits. If your subcontractor agreement restricts these freedoms, you may be misclassifying an employee.
Who owns the work product in a subcontractor agreement?
Typically the hiring party, but only if the agreement explicitly assigns IP rights. Without a signed IP assignment clause, the subcontractor may retain ownership of their work product.
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