Can the BURROW be e-signed?

Yes. Electronic signatures are generally enforceable under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted. Confirm the transaction is not an ESIGN exception such as a will or certain court filings.

Is notarization required?

Not generally required for a standard service agreement, but specific state rules or attached instruments may require notarization or witnesses; verify per-state requirements before execution.

Who must sign on behalf of a company?

An authorized officer or agent with delegated authority should sign. Keep a board resolution or written delegation on file to evidence authority to bind the entity.

How do I fix errors after signing?

Minor errors can be corrected by amendment signed by all parties. Do not alter the original executed copy without a formal amendment and new signatures to avoid disputes.

How long should I keep the executed BURROW?

Retain for the active term plus at least three years; follow IRS (IRC §6501(a)) and industry-specific rules such as HIPAA’s six-year requirement (45 CFR §164.530(j)).

How do I authenticate a remote signer?

Use email+SMS, knowledge-based authentication, or stronger multi-factor methods; stronger methods increase evidentiary weight if signature attribution is challenged.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Miscellaneous
Business Services BURROW

Business Services BURROW

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

DOCUMENT NAME

Business Services BURROW Agreement

This Business Services Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into as of by and between Client Name: , located at , and Service Provider: .

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Client desires to obtain professional business services related to operational consulting, implementation support, and related deliverables as further described in this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, Service Provider represents that it has the experience, personnel, and resources necessary to provide the services described herein and agrees to perform such services under the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the parties wish to set forth their respective rights and obligations with respect to the services to be provided by Service Provider to Client.

SCOPE OF WORK

Service Provider shall perform the services described below in a professional and workmanlike manner in accordance with industry standards. Services shall include project management, process design, systems integration, training, and other tasks as agreed by the parties.

Detailed Scope of Work

PAYMENT TERMS

Client shall pay Service Provider the fees set forth below in consideration for services rendered. Fees do not include applicable taxes unless otherwise stated.

Total Fee Payment Schedule / Milestones Invoice Frequency Payment Terms

Payments are due within days of invoice receipt. Late payments shall accrue interest of per month or the maximum permitted by law, whichever is less.

TERM AND TERMINATION

This Agreement shall commence on and shall continue until unless earlier terminated in accordance with this Section.

Either party may terminate this Agreement for convenience upon providing days' prior written notice. Either party may terminate immediately for material breach if the breaching party fails to cure within a reasonable period not to exceed thirty (30) days after receipt of written notice specifying the breach.

CONFIDENTIALITY

"Confidential Information" means non-public business, technical, financial or other information disclosed by either party to the other, whether marked confidential or reasonably understood to be confidential. Receiving party shall (i) use Confidential Information solely to perform its obligations under this Agreement, (ii) restrict disclosure to those employees, agents, or subcontractors who need to know and are bound by confidentiality obligations at least as protective as those herein, and (iii) take commercially reasonable measures to protect Confidential Information.

Confidential obligations shall survive termination for a period of years, except that trade secrets shall remain protected for as long as they qualify as trade secrets under applicable law. Confidential Information does not include information that is (a) publicly known through no breach by receiving party, (b) rightfully received from a third party without restriction, (c) independently developed without use of Confidential Information, or (d) required to be disclosed by law (subject to prior notice to disclosing party where permitted).

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY; DELIVERABLES

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, Service Provider hereby assigns to Client all right, title and interest in and to deliverables created specifically for Client under this Agreement (the "Work Product"). Service Provider retains ownership of its pre-existing methodologies, tools and materials and grants Client a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use such pre-existing materials embedded in the Work Product solely for Client's internal business purposes.

INDEMNIFICATION; LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

Each party shall indemnify and hold harmless the other party from and against third-party claims arising from its gross negligence or willful misconduct in performing this Agreement. EXCEPT FOR LIABILITY ARISING FROM WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OR A PARTY'S BREACH OF CONFIDENTIALITY OR INFRINGEMENT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, NEITHER PARTY SHALL BE LIABLE TO THE OTHER FOR CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, AND EACH PARTY'S AGGREGATE LIABILITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE TOTAL FEES PAID OR PAYABLE BY CLIENT DURING THE PRECEDING TWELVE (12) MONTHS.

NOTICES

All notices required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and delivered to the addresses below by certified mail, courier, or email (where receipt can be demonstrated).

Client Notice Contact and Address Service Provider Notice Contact and Address

GOVERNING LAW; ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state of without regard to conflict of law principles. The parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in that state for disputes arising out of this Agreement.

This Agreement, including any exhibits or attachments signed by the parties, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to its subject matter and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, proposals, negotiations and communications, whether oral or written. Any amendment or modification must be in writing and signed by authorized representatives of both parties.

Additional Provisions (optional)

Client:

By:

Date:

Service Provider:

By:

Date:

What the Business Services BURROW Is and When It’s Used

The Business Services BURROW is a written agreement template used to define scope, deliverables, payment terms, and responsibilities for a discrete business services engagement. It combines elements of a statement of work and a short-form services agreement so parties can document project milestones, pricing, performance metrics, and termination rights without the complexity of a full master services agreement. Organizations use a BURROW for single-project hires, vendor onboarding, and one-off professional services where clarity and quick execution are the priorities.

Why a Clear Business Services BURROW Matters

A concise BURROW reduces ambiguity about deliverables, helps set payment expectations, and provides a simple legal record of the transaction. Well‑drafted terms limit disputes and speed onboarding when workplaces need rapid, repeatable contracting workflows.

Who Typically Prepares and Signs a BURROW

Signers are typically authorized business officers or delegated agents with express signing authority; the document should state who may sign on each party’s behalf.

Real estate brokers and property managers use short service agreements for property staging, inspections, and vendor work orders.
Healthcare administrators use project-specific service contracts that include privacy addenda for HIPAA-sensitive work.
Financial services and accounting teams use BURROWs for discrete engagements like tax preparation or audit-related consulting.

Typical Authorized Signers

Business Officer

The CEO, CFO, or other officer named in corporate bylaws who can bind the entity. Confirm board resolutions or delegated authority when transaction size exceeds internal thresholds.

Designated Agent

An employee or external contractor with written delegation (e.g., procurement manager, authorized signatory letter, or power of attorney). Retain documentation of the delegation alongside the executed BURROW.

Key Compliance and Security Considerations

Transport Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3

Data at Rest: AES-256

Audit and Reporting: Tamper-evident audit trail

Regulatory Standards: ESIGN and UETA

Healthcare Programs: HIPAA (BAA required)

Certification: SOC 2 Type II / ISO 27001

Principal Risks From an Incorrect BURROW

Missing Consent: Invalid electronic assent

Weak Authentication: Signature attribution disputed

Notarization Omitted: Impact on notarized clauses

Name Mismatch: Party identity ambiguity

Retention Failure: Noncompliance with records rules

Fraud Risk: Undetected forged signature

Common Preparation Errors to Avoid

Using informal or incomplete party names that differ from legal entity records, which can create enforceability questions and slow dispute resolution.
Leaving effective dates, payment schedules, or deliverable milestones blank or ambiguous, producing confusion about when obligations start and stop.
Failing to specify authorized signers or not attaching delegation documentation, which can lead to rejected invoices or challenges to contract authority.
Sending the document to signers in the wrong order or without required authentication steps, reducing evidentiary strength of the signing event.

Step-by-Step: Completing a Business Services BURROW

Follow these practical steps to populate and execute a BURROW so the agreement is clear, enforceable, and properly retained.

01

Prepare Draft: Define parties, scope, deliverables, payment, and termination.
02

Add Dates: Set effective date and milestone schedule using MM/DD/YYYY.
03

Designate Signers: Specify authorized signers and attach delegation if needed.
04

Execute: Obtain signatures, notarization if required, and preserve audit trail.

How Electronic Execution Typically Works

Electronic signing follows a predictable workflow that preserves proof of intent, signer identity, and the signing sequence required for enforceability.

Upload Document: Sender uploads final BURROW to the eSignature platform.
Place Fields: Insert signature, initial, and date fields where required.
Authenticate: Signer confirms identity via email, SMS, or stronger methods.
Complete & Store: Platform captures audit trail and stores executed copy.

Essential Clauses for a Professional BURROW

A concise but enforceable BURROW includes defined scope, deliverables, pricing, term, termination rights, and an execution section specifying authorized signers and applicable law.

Parties & Scope

Identify each legal entity, address, and a clear scope statement that limits services to specified tasks or deliverables with measurable acceptance criteria.

Effective Date

Specify the effective date (MM/DD/YYYY) and whether obligations begin on signature, delivery, or a specified milestone to avoid ambiguity.

Payment Terms

State firm pricing or billing rates, invoicing frequency, payment due dates, and late fees or interest calculations to reduce disputes.

Deliverables & Milestones

List deliverables with deadlines and acceptance procedures so payment is tied to measurable outputs rather than subjective approval.

Termination

Include termination for convenience and for cause, notice periods, and post-termination obligations such as data return or final invoicing.

Execution

Provide signature blocks, specify who may sign for each party, and note whether notarization or witness signatures are required.

Configuring a Digital Workflow for the BURROW

Set up the signing workflow to match authorization rules and evidence needs; choose authentication strength and field behavior before sending.

Field	Configuration
Authentication	Email link, SMS code, or KBA as needed
Signer Order	Sequential or parallel routing
Conditional Fields	Show or hide fields based on prior answers
Retention	Set automatic archival and export policies

Technical and Integration Considerations

Ensure the platform’s export options preserve signature metadata and that integrations maintain a reliable copy in your ERP or document management system.

Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Microsoft 365 compatibility
Formats: PDF, Word DOCX, Excel supported
Access Controls: SSO and role-based permissions

Typical Timing and Deadlines to Note

Confirm and communicate key dates in the BURROW so parties understand milestones, payment triggers, and notice periods.

Effective Date:

Date obligations begin; format MM/DD/YYYY.

Milestone Deadlines:

Specific delivery dates tied to acceptance criteria.

Invoice Due Date:

Commonly Net 30 from invoice receipt.

Notice Periods:

Specify days required for cure and termination notices.

Record Retention:

Specify how long executed documents remain accessible.

Representative eSignature Pricing and Feature Comparison

Basic pricing and common feature availability across vendors. signNow is listed first; feature availability and plan details vary by vendor and tier.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	7-day free trial, no credit card required	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Envelope Cap	No cap	100 envelopes/user/year	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan

How a BURROW Differs from a Master Services Agreement

High-level comparison to help choose the right document type for the engagement.

Criteria	Business Services BURROW	Master Services Agreement
Purpose	single-project	ongoing relationship
Scope	narrow, task-specific	broad, multiple sows
Typical Term	short-term	multi-year
Attachments	deliverable exhibit	multiple sows

Frequently Asked Questions About the Business Services BURROW

Answers to common concerns about execution, enforceability, and post-signature changes when using a BURROW.

Need help? Contact support

Can the BURROW be e-signed?
Yes. Electronic signatures are generally enforceable under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted. Confirm the transaction is not an ESIGN exception such as a will or certain court filings.
Is notarization required?
Not generally required for a standard service agreement, but specific state rules or attached instruments may require notarization or witnesses; verify per-state requirements before execution.
Who must sign on behalf of a company?
An authorized officer or agent with delegated authority should sign. Keep a board resolution or written delegation on file to evidence authority to bind the entity.
How do I fix errors after signing?
Minor errors can be corrected by amendment signed by all parties. Do not alter the original executed copy without a formal amendment and new signatures to avoid disputes.
How long should I keep the executed BURROW?
Retain for the active term plus at least three years; follow IRS (IRC §6501(a)) and industry-specific rules such as HIPAA’s six-year requirement (45 CFR §164.530(j)).
How do I authenticate a remote signer?
Use email+SMS, knowledge-based authentication, or stronger multi-factor methods; stronger methods increase evidentiary weight if signature attribution is challenged.

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