Skip to content
Founding 100: the first 100 agencies keep 30% off for life.
← Templates you can use today.

Most scope creep is decided before a project starts, by a statement of work that lists what's included and stays silent about everything else. This template names both and gives you a simple process for changes. Use it as a starting point, not as legal advice: your own counsel and local law come first.

Parties and reference

Name the parties and the agreement this SOW sits under.

  • This Statement of Work (“SOW”) is made on [date] between [Agency legal name] (“Agency”) and [Client legal name] (“Client”).
  • It is governed by [the master services agreement dated (date) or the attached terms], which prevail if there is a conflict.

Project summary

[Two or three sentences on the goal. For example: Agency will create a new brand identity for Client's launch in (market) on (date).]

Deliverables (in scope)

List every deliverable with its quantity, format and revision rounds. If it isn't on this list, it isn't in scope.

  • [Deliverable 1, for example a logo in two creative directions, 2D]: [format], [number] revision rounds
  • [Deliverable 2, for example wordmark refinement]: [one round on the chosen direction]
  • [Deliverable 3, for example brand guidelines, 12 pages]: [PDF], [number] revision rounds

Out of scope

The following are not included in this SOW. Agency is glad to provide them through the change process below.

  • Creative directions or concepts beyond those listed
  • Revision rounds beyond those listed for each deliverable
  • Formats, sizes or channels not listed, for example 3D, motion or social templates
  • Copywriting, photography, illustration or production, unless listed
  • Third-party costs such as fonts, stock assets, printing and media
  • Changes to a deliverable after its final approval
  • [The thing your clients most often assume is included]

Change process

Any request outside the deliverables above is a change. Agency will send a written change request describing the work, the estimated hours, the price at the change rate below and any effect on the timeline. Work on a change starts only after Client approves the change request in writing; email is enough. Approved changes are invoiced [on approval or with the next invoice] and are due within [14] days. If Client asks Agency to start before approving the change request, the work is billed at the change rate.

Timeline and client responsibilities

Feedback windows keep the timeline honest for both sides.

  • Start date: [date]. Target completion: [date].
  • Client gives feedback within [3] working days of each delivery. Later feedback moves the timeline by the same number of days.
  • Client provides [brand assets, access, content] by [date].

Fees and payment

Separate the fixed fee from the rate for changes.

  • Fixed fee for the deliverables above: [amount and currency], excluding applicable taxes
  • Payment schedule: [for example, 50% on signature and 50% on final delivery]
  • Change rate for out-of-scope work: [currency and hourly rate]
  • Invoices are due within [14] days of issue.

Acceptance

A deliverable is accepted when Client approves it in writing, or [5] working days after delivery if Client hasn't asked for a revision within scope.

Signatures

Both parties sign, or approve in writing, before work starts.

  • For Agency: [name, title, date]
  • For Client: [name, title, date]

Not legal advice

This template is general information, not legal or tax advice. Contract rules differ by country, so have it reviewed before you rely on it for large projects.

SmoothOS does this for you

In SmoothOS, the items of an accepted proposal become the basis of every scope check. Once a meeting's transcript is in, SAI compares each client request with those items and earlier meetings, and tells you in or out of scope with a reason and the hours. An out-of-scope request becomes a draft invoice when you say so, never before.