Retainer agreement template
Establish an ongoing professional relationship with clients who need regular access to your expertise. Define the scope, monthly retainer fee, included hours, and billing for overages — then get it signed before work begins.
What this template covers
- Professional and client identification
- Scope of retained services
- Monthly retainer fee
- Included hours and deliverables
- Overage billing rates
- Term and renewal
- Termination notice requirements
Common use cases
How to send a retainer agreement for e-signature
- Upload your document — drag and drop your retainer agreement PDF into SignOwl, or use our template as a starting point.
- Add signature fields — use AI field detection to automatically place signature, date, and name fields, or add them manually.
- Send for signing — enter the signer's email and hit send. They'll get a link to sign from any device.
- Get the signed copy — both parties receive the signed document with a tamper-proof audit trail and SHA-256 verification.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a retainer and a project fee?
A retainer is an ongoing arrangement where the client pays a fixed amount monthly for access to your services. A project fee is a one-time payment for a specific deliverable. Retainers provide predictable revenue.
What happens to unused retainer hours?
This depends on your terms — hours can roll over, expire, or be partially refunded. Define this clearly in the agreement to prevent disputes at month-end.
Can I increase the retainer fee during the engagement?
Yes, with notice. Include a fee adjustment clause specifying how much notice you'll give (typically 30-60 days). Have the client sign an amendment when rates change.
Ready to send your first document?
Upload a PDF, add signature fields, and send — your signers get a beautiful page on any device. No accounts, no apps, no friction.
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