Website design and development contract

A document drawn just for you to your exact requirements. Free discussion before we provide an estimate. Fixed fee for each stage of work.
Key features

England & Wales
Scotland

- Length:18 pages (4840 words)
- Available in:
Microsoft Word DOCX
Apple Pages
RTF

If the document isn’t right for your circumstances for any reason, just tell us and we’ll refund you in full immediately.

We avoid legal terminology unless necessary. Plain English makes our documents easy to understand, easy to edit and more likely to be accepted.

You don’t need legal knowledge to use our documents. We explain what to edit and how in the guidance notes included at the end of the document.

Email us with questions about editing your document. Use our Lawyer Assist service if you’d like our legal team to check your document will do as you intend.
About this document
IT projects are notorious for overrunning. There may be misunderstandings as to the scope of the project (such as exactly what is being done and where work stops), or failings by the client to review the progress of the project or to provide content by a certain time. The client may decide to make seemingly small changes on a regular basis that are time consuming for the developer to implement.
A developer is likely to take into account that these things happen. An inexperienced client may not. Minor problems on small projects are unlikely to be problems. On larger projects, they can cost both sides much more.
This contract has been written to protect the developer from problems that arise during a project that are outside his control, but which impact on delivery. It provides the legal, contractual terms for an agreement, and a framework for the project that makes it clear exactly what obligations each party has. It reduces the risk of misunderstandings and possible disputes that arise so commonly in this area of work.
This document is suitable for medium sized and large projects, where the scope most likely includes a number of stages, such as design, implementation and extensive testing and revision, and therefore where risks are higher. You are likely to be developing a site with unique functionality or a web-based application.
We have a simpler agreement if the project is small, such as the customisation of a popular CMS, or the addition of a third-party coded feature to a website.
The agreement includes an example specification of work, but note that this is not in technical terms. Since each project is different, we cannot provide a specification to fit every one. Technical details should be entered into the specification by you.
Contents
This is a comprehensive document because it covers the many risks to a project. It provides for a deal where:
It is the client’s responsibility to approve a detailed specification of work covering all elements. Of course, you may help produce this. The specification is a precise instruction to you and a record of the work for your client.
Changes to the specification are regulated – there is a process that must be followed by the client in order to prevent scope creep. Additional work is on an agreed basis.
The client approves the work in stages.
There are also provisions relating to:
- Testing and acceptance
- How and when the client will pay you
- Clear and strong identification and protection of your intellectual property (such as your own code you wish to reuse on other projects)
- Exclusions and indemnities

Choose the level of support you need
Document only
Comprehensive template covering legal and practical points
Detailed guidance notes a step-by-step instructions to help you complete your document with confidence.
Up to date with latest law our lawyers regularly review how new relevant law affects each document in our library
Written in plain English avoiding legal terminology unless necessary. plain English makes our documents easy to understand, easy to edit and more likely to be accepted
Support from our legal team email us with questions about editing your document
Money back guarantee that if the document isn't right
Lawyer Assist
Comprehensive template covering legal and practical points
Detailed guidance notes a step-by-step instructions to help you complete your document with confidence.
Custom workspace - get expert answers fast: a dedicated space for priority expert assistance, keeping you on track.
- Review of your edited document by our legal team including:
- understanding your requirements
- checking that your document will achieve your goal
- reporting on whether your changes comply with the law
- answering your questions about how to word a new clause or achieve an outcome
- checking that your use of defined terms is correct and consistent
- correcting spelling mistakes
- reformatting the document ready to sign
Bespoke
A document drawn just for you to your exact requirements
Personalised service provided by an experienced solicitor
Free discussion before we provide an estimate, for you to ask questions and for us to understand your requirements
- Transparent fees
- fixed fee to draw a document to your initial instructions
- additional or changed instructions charged either at fixed rates or on a time basis as agreed with you
- no charges for office overheads or third party disbursements
Careful and thorough consideration of your circumstances and your consequent likely practical and legal requirements
Provision of options that you may not have considered with availability for discussion
Help and advice woven into the fabric of our service so that you can make the best decisions
Standard
- Documents included10
(average document price £37) - Lawyer Assist Service included
(average price £196) - Discount on further Lawyer Assist30%
- Discount on Bespoke Drafting
- Telephone support
- Priority email support
Professional
- Documents included25
(average document price £37) - Lawyer Assist Service included
(average price £196) - Discount on further Lawyer Assist40%
- Discount on Bespoke Drafting10%
- Telephone support
- Priority email support
Professional Plus
- Documents included25
(average document price £37) - Lawyer Assist Service included2
(average price £196) - Discount on further Lawyer Assist40%
- Discount on Bespoke Drafting10%
- Telephone support
- Priority email support
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