Freelance Retainer Agreement
Define the terms of an ongoing freelance engagement.
· Trusted by 1,850+ agencies · Updated September 2026Agreement Template
Engagement Terms
The ongoing engagement terms and duration.
This template also covers:
- Retainer Details
- Deliverables
- Availability
- Renewal
- Payment
What is a Freelance Retainer Agreement?
A freelance retainer agreement defines the terms of an ongoing freelance engagement with monthly fees.
A freelance retainer agreement is a document that outlines the terms of an ongoing freelance engagement, covering monthly fees, deliverables, availability, and renewal conditions.
- Used for ongoing freelance work
- Typically 2-3 pages
- Renewed monthly or quarterly
- Defines retainer hours and fees
- Covers additional work pricing
What's Inside This Template
6 structured sections, ready to fill in for your project.
Engagement Terms
The ongoing engagement terms and duration.
Retainer Details
Monthly fee, included hours, and additional work pricing.
Deliverables
What is included in the retainer and what is extra.
Availability
Response times and availability commitments.
Renewal
How the retainer is renewed and can be terminated.
Payment
Payment schedule and late fees.
Without a Template vs. With This One
| Aspect | Without a Template | With This Template |
|---|---|---|
| Income | Project-based income only | Guaranteed monthly retainer income |
| Scope | No defined scope | Clear scope and additional work terms |
| Availability | No availability commitment | Defined response times and availability |
Who This Template Is For
Built for the people who actually write and send scope of work documents, here's why it fits each of them.
Creative Agencies
- Secure ongoing work
- Define monthly fees
- Set clear expectations
Freelance Designers
- Get recurring income
- Set availability
- Define scope clearly
Project Managers
- Plan ongoing work
- Budget monthly costs
- Track deliverables
Startup Founders
- Secure freelance capacity
- Budget predictably
- Define scope
Marketing Teams
- Secure ongoing support
- Budget monthly
- Define deliverables
Product Teams
- Secure ongoing design
- Budget monthly
- Define scope
How to Use This Template
Fill in party details
Add freelancer and client names.
Define retainer terms
Set monthly fee, hours, and additional work rates.
Set deliverables and availability
Define what is included and response times.
Send for signature
Save to Taskip for e-signature.
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FAQs: Freelance Retainer Agreement
What is a freelance retainer?
A freelance retainer is an ongoing engagement where a client pays a fixed monthly fee for a defined set of services and availability.
What should a retainer include?
At minimum: monthly fee, included hours/deliverables, additional work pricing, availability, renewal terms, and payment schedule.
Is this retainer template free?
Yes, free to download and customize. Save to Taskip for e-signature.
How do I price a retainer?
Consider your hourly rate, expected hours, and the value of guaranteed income. Typical retainers include a discount for commitment.
What happens if I exceed retainer hours?
The template includes provisions for additional work at a predefined hourly rate beyond the retainer allocation.
Freelance Retainer Agreement, free to download, no credit card required