Establishing secure connection…Loading editor…Preparing document…

Sample Consulting Agreement

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

Business Development Agreement -- Home Barbecue Cleaning and Repair

Agreement made on the between

, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the state of , with its principal office located at

, referred to herein as BDC, and

, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the state of , with its principal office located at

, referred to herein as Company.

Whereas, BDC has developed a business system (the System), including the tools, equipment, cleaning solutions, training manual/video and sample marketing templates to enable a purchaser of the System to have the ability to get started quickly in providing this unique service; and

Whereas, the System is designed to enable owners to provide a home service of cleaning and tuning-up Gas BBQ Grills, provide replacement parts, new grills, accessories, and other related products and services; and

Whereas, Company desires to purchase the System and to engage BDC as a consultant in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth below.

Now, therefore, for and in consideration of the mutual covenants contained in this agreement, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

1. The System

The System will include the following:

A. Tools, training, and supplies necessary to enable Company to start and operate a business engaged in cleaning and tuning-up Gas BBQ Grills, providing replacement parts, new grills, accessories, and other related products and services.

B. A Business Plan, Startup Guide, special equipment and initial inventory of cleaning supplies.

C. Marketing and advertising templates.

2. Start–up Costs and Expenses

The purchase price for the System is $. This price does not include shipping and handling costs. This purchase price is payable .

3. Contents of System

A. Training

1. A step-by-step Instruction Manual.

2. An Instructional Video on how to clean and tune-up a gas grill.

3. Marketing and advertising template.

4. Technical support by phone and e-mail for sixty (60) days.

B. Tools and Equipment

• Specialized cleaning equipment, including a power washer, steam cleaner, and an industrial vacuum;

• A hard cover double walled rolling tool case (36 inches high x 24 inches wide with four 2 inch and 2 four inch locking and water resistant drawers);

• A 52 piece tool set with storage bag;

• One heavy duty extension cord;

• One stainless steel scratch remover kit; and

• One fire extinguisher.

C. Cleaning Supplies will include the following:

• Two Cases of 24 oz BDC Premium Grill Cleaner/Degreaser (12 per case).

• One Case of 4 oz BDC Gas Leak Test Solution (12 per case)

• One Case of 8 oz. BDC Concentrated All-in-One Stainless Steel Cleaner and Polish (12 per case).

• One Case of BDC Scrubber Sponges containing 20 sponges.

• One Case of garbage bags containing 1000 bags.

• One Case of disposable gloves containing 50 gloves.

• One Case of plastic drop-cloths containing 72 cloths.

• One BDC specialized Burner Port/Valve Orifice Cleaning Tool.

• One Venturi Tube Cleaning Brush.

• Five BDC Tough-Scrub Scouring Brushes with Heat Resistant Handle.

• One BBQ wire brush with scraper.

• One grill scraper.

• Ten micro-fibre polishing towels.

• One whisk broom with scoop.

• One pair safety glasses.

D. Company may make future purchases of grill replacement parts, new grills and/or accessories as well as cleaning supplies from any vendor it chooses. Any such purchase of grill replacement parts, new grills and/or accessories from BDC require a minimum order of $500.00. BDC can supply Company with a recommended parts inventory listing upon request. Cleaning supplies (such as BDC Grill Cleaner/Degreaser, Leak Detector Solution, Stainless Steel Cleaner/Polish, brushes, sponges, etc., require a minimum order of $250.00. Shipping costs are not included in the minimum order requirements. Prices will change on an (e.g., annual) basis and all such sales will be contingent on the supplies BDC has available.

4. Confidentiality

The entire contents of the training manual/video and sample marketing templates are trade secrets of BDC. Company may not, and will use its best efforts to ensure that no other persons disclose or use (except as authorized by this Agreement), any of the contents of the training manual/video and sample marketing templates at any time without written permission of BDC. Disclosure of any of the information contained in the training manual/video and sample marketing templates would cause irreparable harm to BDC. BDC is entitled to obtain injunctive relief against Company to protect the contents of the training manual/video and sample marketing templates from disclosure and improper use. Company waives all defenses it might otherwise have to equitable relief for this purpose.

5. Nothing in this Agreement authorizes Company to make any contract, agreement, warranty or representation on BDC's behalf, or to incur any debt or obligation in BDC's name. In no event will BDC assume liability for, or be deemed liable as a result of any such unauthorized contract, agreement, warranty, or representation or as a result of any act or omission of Company in its conduct of its business. Company is not granted any right or authority to assume or create any obligation or responsibility, express or implied, on behalf of or in the name of BDC or to bind BDC in any manner. This Agreement does not constitute Company as the agent or legal representative of BDC for any purpose whatsoever. Company is and shall be considered an independent contractor with entire control and direction of its business and operations. No agency, employment, or partnership is created by this Agreement.

6. Express and Implied Warranties

A. BDC warrants only that it has a good faith belief that the tools, equipment and cleaning supplies are in good and workable condition. However, there are no express warranties or representations as to performance, description, or classification.

B. BDC DISCLAIMS ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES (OTHER THAN GOOD TITLE) WITH RESPECT TO THE TOOLS, EQUIPMENT AND CLEANING SUPPLIES INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR USE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT.

7. Remedy and Limitation of BDC’s Liability

BDC’s sole liability to Company for non-conforming goods shall be the difference between the agreed price and the actual market value of the goods at the time of delivery. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL BDC BE LIABLE FOR CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY, OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES. Company waives any and all other remedies and claims, whether arising under contract, tort, strict liability, product liability, misrepresentation, fraud, or other theory of law or statute.

8. Severability

The invalidity of any portion of this Agreement will not and shall not be deemed to affect the validity of any other provision. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, the parties agree that the remaining provisions shall be deemed to be in full force and effect as if they had been executed by both parties subsequent to the expungement of the invalid provision.

9. No Waiver

The failure of either party to this Agreement to insist upon the performance of any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, or the waiver of any breach of any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, shall not be construed as subsequently waiving any such terms and conditions, but the same shall continue and remain in full force and effect as if no such forbearance or waiver had occurred.

10. Governing Law

This Agreement shall be governed by, construed, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of .

11. Notices

Any notice provided for or concerning this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed sufficiently given when sent by certified or registered mail if sent to the respective address of each party as set forth at the beginning of this Agreement.

12. Attorney’s Fees

In the event that any lawsuit is filed in relation to this Agreement, the unsuccessful party in the action shall pay to the successful party, in addition to all the sums that either party may be called on to pay, a reasonable sum for the successful party's attorney fees.

13. Mandatory Arbitration

Any dispute under this Agreement shall be required to be resolved by binding arbitration of the parties hereto. If the parties cannot agree on an arbitrator, each party shall select one arbitrator and both arbitrators shall then select a third. The third arbitrator so selected shall arbitrate said dispute. The arbitration shall be governed by the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in force and effect.

14. Entire Agreement

This Agreement shall constitute the entire agreement between the parties and any prior understanding or representation of any kind preceding the date of this Agreement shall not be binding upon either party except to the extent incorporated in this Agreement.

15. Modification of Agreement

Any modification of this Agreement or additional obligation assumed by either party in connection with this Agreement shall be binding only if placed in writing and signed by each party or an authorized representative of each party.

16. Assignment of Rights

The rights of each party under this Agreement are personal to that party and may not be assigned or transferred to any other person, firm, corporation, or other entity without the prior, express, and written consent of the other party.

17. In this contract, any reference to a party includes that party's heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, singular includes plural and masculine includes feminine.

WITNESS our signatures as of the day and date first above stated.

By:

By:

Enter text✕
Prepare your document for signing right on this page
  • 01 Edit the text and complete the fields
  • 02 Click Sign Now and on the next screen add recipients and signature fields in SignNow
  • 03 Start your free trial to sign and send your doc
Sign Now

What the Sample Consulting Agreement Is and When It Applies

A Sample Consulting Agreement is a written contract that records the relationship between a consultant and a client, defining services, deliverables, payment, timeline, and legal protections. It creates enforceable obligations when signed by authorized parties and is commonly used for fixed-fee engagements, hourly consulting, retainers, and project-based work. For U.S. transactions the agreement may be executed electronically under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) or the applicable state UETA statute; exceptions (for example, certain court filings and testamentary documents) may still require paper or additional steps.

Why a Clear Consulting Agreement Matters

A well-drafted Sample Consulting Agreement reduces dispute risk, clarifies payment and IP rights, and supports regulatory compliance for tax and privacy obligations.

Why a Clear Consulting Agreement Matters

Who Commonly Uses This Agreement

The Sample Consulting Agreement is suitable for independent consultants, freelance professionals, small agencies, and corporate buyers who need a written scope of services and payment terms.

  • Independent consultants and freelancers needing clear payment, scope, and deliverable milestones to avoid disputes and establish 1099 treatment.
  • Small businesses and startups hiring external specialists for product, marketing, or technical work on a project basis.
  • Legal, procurement, or finance teams at mid-market companies that require standard terms for repeat engagements and audit trails.

Use this template as a baseline; adjust clauses for intellectual property, confidentiality, termination, and applicable state law before signing.

Core Elements to Include in the Agreement

A professional consulting agreement should include concise, specific clauses that allocate risk, set payment expectations, and protect intellectual property and confidential information.

Parties

Identify legal names and entity types for consultant and client, including contact details and mailing addresses for official notices.

Scope

Describe services and deliverables with measurable acceptance criteria, milestones, and the process for change orders or extra work.

Payment

State fees, invoicing cadence, payment terms, late fees, and expense reimbursement rules; specify currency and tax responsibilities.

Term & Termination

Set the agreement period, renewal or extension rules, notice requirements, and termination for convenience or cause provisions.

Confidentiality

Include nondisclosure obligations, duration, exceptions, and permitted disclosures for legal or regulatory reasons.

Intellectual Property

Clarify ownership of deliverables, background IP licenses, and assignment language where work-for-hire or transfer is intended.

Step-by-Step: Prepare and Complete the Agreement

Follow these sequential steps to ensure the agreement is complete, signed, and preserved with an auditable record.

  • 01
    Draft: Customize scope, fees, and IP clauses to match the project.
  • 02
    Review: Have legal or finance review tax and liability provisions.
  • 03
    Sign: Collect signatures from authorized parties, electronically where allowed.
  • 04
    Store: Save executed copies in a secure, retrievable system with audit trails.

Typical Electronic Execution and Routing Workflow

Electronic workflows streamline execution while preserving a detailed audit trail for each signing event and document change.

  • Upload Document: Sender uploads the agreement to the signing platform.
  • Place Fields: Add signature, date, and initial fields for each signer.
  • Send to Signers: Distribute via email link or direct signer assignment.
  • Capture Audit Trail: Platform records timestamps, IPs, and completion certificates.

Recommended Digital Workflow Settings

Configure the signing workflow to balance ease of use with authentication and compliance requirements.

Field Configuration
Signer Authentication Email link with optional SMS code or KBA depending on risk
Signing Order Sequential for approvals or parallel for independent signatures
Reminders Automatic reminders after configurable days to reduce turnaround time
Retention Store signed PDF and audit trail for required statutory period

Technical Considerations for eSigning and Storage

Choose a platform that supports required authentication, secure storage, and the file formats you use.

  • Integrations: Common integrations include Salesforce, NetSuite, Google Workspace, and Microsoft 365 for workflow automation.
  • File Formats: PDF and DOCX are standard; ensure signed output preserves integrity and metadata.
  • Security Controls: Platform should provide TLS, AES-256 at rest, and detailed audit logs.

Ensure the chosen configuration supports auditability, role-based access, and any industry-specific compliance such as HIPAA.

Key Dates and Time-Sensitive Requirements

Track effective dates, payment milestones, and tax reporting deadlines to stay compliant and avoid penalties.

Effective Date:

When obligations commence — use MM/DD/YYYY format in the agreement.

Payment Due:

Payment milestones and Net terms determine invoice deadlines and late fees.

Termination Notice:

Contractual notice period often 30–90 days depending on the clause.

1099-NEC Reporting:

Form 1099-NEC to recipients and IRS is due Jan 31 each year (IRS deadline).

Record Retention:

Keep executed agreement per applicable retention rules; see retention timeline below.

eSignature Vendor Pricing Comparison for Executing Consulting Agreements

Compare basic pricing and feature availability when selecting an eSignature provider; signNow is listed first per vendor comparison guidelines.

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 trial Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Envelope Cap No cap 100 env/user/yr Varies Varies Varies

Security and Compliance Features to Confirm

Encryption in Transit: TLS 1.2/1.3
Encryption at Rest: AES-256
HIPAA Support: BAA available
Audit Trail: Timestamps, IP logs
Certifications: SOC 2 Type II
Regulatory Standards: ESIGN and UETA

Common Legal and Financial Risks If the Agreement Is Improper

Unenforceable Terms: Vague scope can lead to unenforceability
Tax Exposure: Incorrect contractor classification triggers penalties
Reporting Penalties: Late 1099 filing penalties as per IRC §6721
Confidentiality Breach: Inadequate NDA language risks IP loss
Signature Disputes: Missing audit trail impairs attribution
Data Security Risks: Insufficient encryption or retention policies

Practical Examples of How the Agreement Is Used

Two concise scenarios show typical practical applications and outcomes when the agreement is used correctly.

Independent Consultant Engagement

A freelance product strategist defines milestones and acceptance criteria to avoid scope creep and disputes.

  • The agreement ties payment to milestone acceptance.
  • As a result, invoicing is consistent, client expectations are managed, and the consultant receives timely payment without litigation.

Agency Project Retainer

A marketing agency uses a retainer clause for ongoing advisory services with monthly deliverables.

  • The contract sets deliverables, reporting cadence, and termination terms.
  • This clarity reduces scope disputes, enables predictable cash flow, and provides a documented basis for renewal negotiations.

Common Preparation Mistakes to Avoid

  • Leaving the scope vague or open-ended increases the chance of billing disputes and unmet expectations; specify deliverables and acceptance criteria.
  • Failing to collect a completed W-9 or clarify tax status may lead to backup withholding and 1099 filing problems for payers.
  • Omitting termination or notice provisions forces parties into default dispute resolution timelines and can increase legal costs.
  • Relying on unsigned or improperly attributed electronic signatures without a preserved audit trail can create enforceability challenges.

Practical Tips for Accurate and Efficient Completion

Apply consistent internal controls and review steps to reduce errors and speed execution of consulting agreements.

Standardize Templates
Use a single, reviewed template with optional clauses for scope changes, IP treatment, and data handling so each agreement starts from an approved baseline and requires minimal legal review.
Collect Tax Forms Early
Request a completed W-9 from any U.S. contractor before issuing the first payment to avoid backup withholding and support year-end 1099-NEC reporting.
Use Clear Acceptance Criteria
Define how deliverables are accepted, who approves them, and the time frame for acceptance to prevent disputes over completion and payment.
Preserve Audit Trails
When signing electronically, ensure the platform captures timestamps, signer identity evidence, and a downloadable certificate to support later enforcement or audits.

Typical Signatories and Their Roles

Independent Consultant

An individual consultant signs in a personal capacity or as a single-member LLC. Their primary concerns are clear payment terms, IP treatment for deliverables, and limited indemnity exposure; they should provide a W-9 for U.S. tax reporting.

Company Signatory

A corporate signer is typically an authorized officer, procurement manager, or delegated signatory. Companies should confirm authority, record the signer’s title, and tie signature authority to internal purchasing thresholds to ensure enforceability.

FAQs — Common Questions About the Sample Consulting Agreement

Answers to frequent practical and legal questions when preparing, signing, and storing consulting agreements.


Need help? Contact support

Explore Templates

Subpoena in an Adversary Proceeding Bankruptcy B Form Judgment Default Order Judgment Default Form
be ready to get more
Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users
Sign Now
Company
Forms
Pricing
Resources
Knowledge base
Other Products
© 2026 airSlate Inc. All rights reserved.