Freelance Template
Free Retainer Agreement Template
A retainer agreement secures ongoing access to professional services for a fixed monthly fee. Essential for agencies, consultants, and freelancers building recurring revenue.
Template
Copy this markdown, replace the {{variables}}, and send via API.
# Retainer Agreement
**Provider:** {{providerName}}
**Client:** {{clientName}}
**Date:** {{date}}
## Monthly Retainer
{{retainerAmount}} per month for {{hoursIncluded}} hours of {{serviceType}}.
## Scope
{{scopeDescription}}
## Additional Hours
Hours beyond the retainer billed at {{overageRate}}.
## Billing
Invoiced on the 1st of each month. Payment due within {{paymentTerms}} days.
## Minimum Term
{{minimumTerm}} minimum commitment.
## Unused Hours
{{rolloverPolicy}}Send for e-signature
curl -X POST https://signb.ee/api/send \
-H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{
"content": "YOUR_RENDERED_MARKDOWN",
"senderName": "Your Name",
"senderEmail": "you@company.com",
"recipientName": "Recipient",
"recipientEmail": "recipient@email.com"
}'What happens next
- Signbee converts the markdown to a professional PDF
- Recipient gets an email with a signing link
- Both parties sign with an animated handwriting signature
- Both receive the signed PDF with a SHA-256 certificate
All signatures are legally binding under the ESIGN Act, eIDAS, and ECA.
More details
Retainer agreements are the foundation of predictable revenue for service businesses. Unlike project-based contracts, retainers guarantee a minimum income stream and give clients priority access to your time and expertise.
When to use a retainer vs. project-based pricing: - Retainer: Ongoing work with variable scope (monthly marketing, legal counsel, IT support, design services). Client needs guaranteed availability. - Project-based: Well-defined deliverables with clear start and end dates. Scope is fixed before work begins. - Hybrid: Monthly retainer for a base level of service, with project-based billing for larger initiatives.
Key terms every retainer agreement should include: 1. Included hours per month — Be specific. '20 hours of design work' is enforceable; 'reasonable design support' is not. 2. Overage rate — What happens when the client exceeds their hours? Typically billed at 1.25-1.5x the effective hourly rate. 3. Rollover policy — Do unused hours carry forward? Most providers cap rollovers at 1-2 months to prevent hour hoarding. 4. Scope definition — What services are covered under the retainer? Explicitly exclude out-of-scope work. 5. Minimum commitment — 3-6 months is standard. This protects both parties from early termination. 6. Payment terms — Net 15 or Net 30, invoiced at the beginning of each month. 7. Termination clause — Typically 30 days written notice after the minimum term.
Common retainer pitfalls to avoid: scope creep (client treating the retainer as unlimited), underpricing (calculate your effective hourly rate before setting the price), and missing cancellation terms (always include a minimum commitment and notice period).
Frequently asked questions
What is a retainer agreement?
A retainer agreement is a contract where a client pays a fixed monthly fee for guaranteed access to a professional's services. It provides predictable income for the provider and priority availability for the client. Common in consulting, legal, marketing, and design services.
Can a retainer agreement be signed electronically?
Yes. Retainer agreements are fully valid with electronic signatures under ESIGN (US), eIDAS (EU), and ECA (UK). With Signbee, send the retainer for signature and get it signed in minutes.
How many hours should a retainer include?
It depends on the service and client needs. Common ranges are 10-20 hours/month for consulting, 20-40 for marketing/design, and 5-10 for legal counsel. Calculate your minimum viable commitment and price accordingly.
Related resources
Send this template for signing — free, no credit card.