MKB Juristen drafts custom legal documents
It is best not to cobble together or copy important contracts, terms and conditions, and other legal documents yourself. We help entrepreneurs on a budget with customized legal solutions, clear costs upfront, and practical explanations.
- Custom contracts, terms and conditions, and legal documents
- Budget-friendly and clear about the costs upfront
- Request a free consultation or a no-obligation quote
Having a self-employed contract drafted by a lawyer typically costs €250 to €750 at a specialized SME lawyer for a tailor-made contract for services, and more for complex collaborations involving special IP or liability agreements. In return, you receive a contract that maintains a clear hierarchical relationship, aligns with the Tax and Customs Administration's model contract, and limits the risk of bogus self-employment. For simple, short-term assignments, a supplemented model contract may suffice.
The short answer
- Costs: €250 – €750 for a custom-made self-employed contract.
- Complex: more for special IP, liability, or international agreements.
- Process: intake, draft, revision round, final contract.
- Lead time: often a few working days to a week.
- Why: hierarchical relationship pure, apparent self-employment limited.
- When self-directed: simple, short-term, low-value assignment.
How much does it cost?
The price depends on the complexity. Approximate guide rates for a specialized SME lawyer:
- Tailor-made standard freelance contract: € 250 – € 500.
- Contract with special provisions (extensive IP transfer, competition, international elements): €500 – €1,000.
- Review of an existing contract: € 150 – € 400.
- Have a model agreement submitted to the Tax and Customs Administration: extra work, price on request.
Having a contract drawn up is typically a one-time investment: you can reuse the same framework agreement for multiple freelancers, provided the situations are comparable.
What do you get for it?
A legal professional does more than fill in a template. The added value lies in:
- Assessment of the relationship of authority. The jurist formulates in a result-oriented manner and avoids provisions that indicate control.
- Alignment with the model agreement. The contract aligns with an approved model from the Tax and Customs Administration.
- Tailored liability and IP. Limitation of liability and a comprehensive intellectual property framework.
- Sector-specific agreements. Construction, IT, healthcare, and the creative sector each have their own points of attention.
The process
- Intake. The legal expert maps out the collaboration: what the self-employed professional does, how independent the work situation is, and what risks are involved.
- Draft. Based on this, the lawyer draws up a draft, usually on an approved template.
- Revision round. You discuss the draft and adjust it where necessary.
- Final contract. You will receive the final version, ready to sign.
The turnaround time is typically a few working days to a week, depending on the complexity and the number of correction rounds.
When should you hire a lawyer?
Hiring a lawyer is wise when more is at stake than a simple job:
- Long-term collaboration with the same self-employed professional, where reclassification is imminent.
- High rates or large contract value.
- Valuable intellectual property that must be transferred.
- Doubts about the hierarchical relationship or whether you are allowed to work with a self-employed person.
- Sectors where the Tax and Customs Administration pays extra close attention to bogus self-employment.
The role of the model agreement
The Tax and Customs Administration publishes approved model agreements. A legal expert uses such a model as a basis and customizes it to suit your specific situation. This way, you combine the security of an approved model with provisions that align with your situation. Please note: even a custom-made contract only offers protection if practice corresponds with it.
Practical example
An IT company works structurally with the same freelance developer on client projects. Because the developer writes software that is to become the property of the client and the collaboration is long-term, the company has a contract drawn up with a watertight transfer of intellectual property and a clear formulation of authority. Cost: approximately €600. This is more than offset by the risk of back taxes or an intellectual property conflict.
Honest recommendation
For a simple, short-term assignment of limited value, you do not need to engage a lawyer. An approved model agreement from the Tax and Customs Administration, supplemented with agreements regarding rates, liability, and intellectual property, will suffice perfectly. However, if the collaboration is long-term, involves substantial amounts or valuable intellectual property, or if you have doubts about the hierarchical relationship, then a tailor-made contract is worth the investment — especially since the risk of bogus self-employment lies with you as the client.
More background: drafting a self-employment contract and what is a self-employment contract. Want to have one drafted immediately? Go to self-employment contract.
Frequently Asked Questions
With a specialized SME lawyer, a tailor-made contract for self-employed professionals typically costs €250 to €750. For specific IP, liability, or international agreements, this rises to €500 – €1,000. Having an existing contract reviewed often costs €150 to €400.
In four steps: an intake where the lawyer maps out the collaboration, a draft based on an approved template, a revision round where you discuss and adjust it, and the final version ready to sign. The turnaround time is usually a few working days to a week.
A legal expert assesses the hierarchical relationship, ensures the contract aligns with an approved model agreement, tailors liability and intellectual property arrangements, and takes sector-specific considerations into account. This limits the risk of bogus self-employment and IP conflicts.
Often, yes. A custom-made framework agreement can be reused for similar freelancers and assignments. In the event of differing situations—different work, different IP agreements, or a different sector—adjustment is advisable. This ensures that the investment in drafting remains a one-off expense.
In the case of long-term collaboration, high rates or contract value, valuable intellectual property, doubts regarding the hierarchical relationship, or in sectors where the Tax Authorities closely monitor bogus self-employment. For a simple, short-term assignment, a supplemented model contract is often sufficient.
A tailor-made contract significantly reduces risks, but offers protection only if practice corresponds to it. The Tax and Customs Administration looks at the actual implementation, not just the text. A sound contract and an independent work situation go hand in hand.
Typically a few working days to a week, depending on the complexity and the number of revision rounds. A custom standard contract is often ready faster; a contract with extensive IP or liability provisions requires more consultation and time.
