Agency Retainer Agreement Template
Free Word template for marketing, creative, and service agencies.
A retainer agreement is what turns a one-off project into a predictable, recurring relationship, but only if the scope, payment terms, and revision limits are written down clearly. Most agency disputes come from things that were assumed rather than agreed.
This template covers the sections that matter most for a monthly retainer: scope of services, retainer fee and payment terms, revision rounds included, ownership of finished work, and a 30-day termination clause so neither side is locked in indefinitely.
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Questions
Do I need a lawyer to use this?
This template covers the standard sections most agency retainers include, but it's not a substitute for legal advice. Have it reviewed by a lawyer licensed in your jurisdiction before using it with a real client, especially for larger retainers.
Can I use this for a one-off project instead of a retainer?
This template is built specifically for recurring monthly work. For a single project with a defined end date, a project-based consulting agreement (also free on this site) is a better fit.
How many revision rounds should I include?
There's no universal answer, but 1-2 rounds per deliverable is common for retainers. Whatever you choose, put a number in writing, open-ended revisions are one of the most common sources of scope creep.
Keep every client document in one place.
startbuddi keeps your documents next to the client, the project and the invoice, so nothing lives in a stray folder.
Start with the one thing you need. The rest is there when you're ready.
