Professional Consulting Contract Template

This Consulting Services Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into as of [DATE]:
Consultant: [YOUR NAME/FIRM], located at [ADDRESS] ("Consultant")
Client: [CLIENT NAME/COMPANY], located at [ADDRESS] ("Client")
Engagement Period: [START DATE] through [END DATE] (or ongoing until terminated)

Consultant will provide the following services:
[DESCRIPTION OF CONSULTING SERVICES]
Specific Deliverables:
  - [e.g., Strategic assessment and recommendations report]
  - [e.g., Monthly advisory meetings (X per month)]
  - [e.g., Implementation support for X initiative]
Objectives: [WHAT CLIENT HOPES TO ACHIEVE]
Out of Scope: [WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED]

[OPTION A - Hourly]:
Rate: $[AMOUNT] per hour
Estimated Hours: [X] hours per [WEEK/MONTH]
Invoicing: [WEEKLY/BI-WEEKLY/MONTHLY]
[OPTION B - Project-Based]:
Fixed Fee: $[AMOUNT] for the engagement
Payment Schedule: [X]% upfront, [X]% at milestone, [X]% upon completion
[OPTION C - Retainer]:
Monthly Retainer: $[AMOUNT]/month
Includes: Up to [X] hours of consulting services
Overage: Additional hours billed at $[RATE]/hour

Pre-approved expenses will be reimbursed at cost plus [X]% administrative fee
Expenses over $[AMOUNT] require written pre-approval
Travel expenses: [CLASS] airfare, [TYPE] accommodations, meals at $[PER DIEM]
Receipts required for all expenses over $[AMOUNT]

Consultant agrees to maintain confidentiality of all proprietary information
Confidential Information includes: business plans, financials, strategies, customer data, trade secrets
Exclusions: publicly available information, independently developed information, information disclosed by third parties without restriction
Confidentiality obligations survive termination for [X] years
Consultant will return or destroy all confidential materials upon termination

Work product created specifically for Client becomes Client's property upon payment
Consultant retains ownership of pre-existing materials and methodologies
Consultant grants Client license to use any pre-existing materials incorporated in deliverables
Consultant may use general knowledge and skills gained during engagement

Consultant is an independent contractor, not an employee
Consultant responsible for own taxes, insurance, and benefits
Consultant may perform services for other clients
Consultant controls manner and means of performing services
No agency or partnership relationship is created

During engagement and for [X] months after, neither party will directly solicit the other's employees
This does not restrict hiring through general advertising or recruiting
Violation of this provision: liquidated damages of $[AMOUNT]

Either party may terminate with [X] days written notice
Upon termination:
  - Client pays for all services rendered through termination date
  - Consultant delivers all completed work product
  - Both parties return confidential information
For cause termination (material breach): immediate termination after [X] day cure period

Consultant's liability limited to fees paid in the [X] months preceding the claim
Consultant not liable for indirect, consequential, or punitive damages
Client acknowledges consulting advice is professional opinion, not guarantee of results
Client responsible for implementing recommendations at their own risk

Both parties agree to the terms above.
Consultant: _________________ Date: _________
Client: _________________ Date: _________