Røde flag i freelancekontrakten at se efter

A bad contract can cost you months of unpaid work, trap you in an exploitative relationship, or expose you to liability you never agreed to. Most freelancers sign contracts without reading them carefully — a habit that eventually produces a painful lesson. Here are the red flags to look for before you sign.

Vague Scope of Work

Contracts that describe deliverables in broad, undefined terms are an invitation to scope creep. "Website development" is not a scope. "5-page responsive website with the features listed in Appendix A" is a scope. If the contract doesn't clearly define what you're delivering, negotiate specificity before signing. Track your actual time against stated deliverables using your time tracker.

Unlimited Revisions Clauses

Any clause that entitles the client to "unlimited revisions" or "revisions until satisfied" effectively puts the project end date entirely under client control. Cap revisions explicitly — e.g., "up to two rounds of revisions are included; additional rounds are billed at €X/hour."

Intellectual Property Overreach

Some contracts attempt to claim IP rights to work you created before the engagement, or to work developed on your own time using your own tools. IP assignment should cover only the deliverables specifically created for this client, not your entire creative or intellectual output.

Non-Compete Clauses That Are Too Broad

Non-compete clauses that prohibit you from working in your entire industry, across an entire region, for 1–2 years are often unenforceable — but they create uncertainty and potential legal risk. Negotiate non-competes down to specific named competitors, specific services, for a maximum of 6 months.

Payment Terms Over 60 Days

Net-90 or longer payment terms create serious cash flow problems for freelancers. In the EU, the Late Payment Directive generally limits B2B payment terms to 60 days. Push back on payment terms exceeding 30 days for standard project work. Track payment timing against terms in your invoice dashboard.

Unilateral Termination Without Pay

Contracts that allow the client to terminate immediately without paying for work completed are exploitative. Require payment for all work delivered up to the termination date, plus a kill fee (typically 20–50% of remaining contracted value) for termination without cause. More freelance guides on the Arbeitly blog.

Contract red flags are negotiating opportunities, not deal-breakers. A client who refuses to negotiate fair terms is showing you how they'll behave throughout the project. Take that signal seriously before committing your time and expertise.