Freelance Contract Red Flags to Watch For

Key contract red flags: vague scope of work (negotiate specificity — "5-page responsive website with features listed in Appendix A" not "website development"), unlimited revision clauses (cap at two rounds), IP overreach (assignment should cover only deliverables, not your entire creative output), overly broad non-competes (negotiate to specific named competitors, max 6 months), payment terms over 60 days (EU Late Payment Directive limits B2B to 60 days — push back), and unilateral termination without pay (require payment for all work completed plus a kill fee). Contract red flags are negotiating opportunities. A client who refuses to negotiate fair terms is showing you how they'll behave throughout the engagement.