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.
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Having a service agreement drafted by a specialized SME lawyer typically costs between 350 and 900 euros for a custom contract, and less if you have an existing template reviewed. You pay for certainty regarding the points that really matter in service provision: a comprehensive scope, proper limitation of liability, a workable termination arrangement, and provisions that prevent the collaboration from being viewed as a disguised employment contract. For most entrepreneurs, this is a small investment compared to the risk you are covering.
The short answer
- Tailor-made contract: typically 350 to 900 euros, depending on complexity.
- Have the model checked: often 150 to 400 euros.
- Framework agreement with sub-assignments: higher rate, but reusable.
- What you are buying: a comprehensive scope, liability, termination, and independence.
- Turnaround time: a first version often within a few working days.
How much does it cost to have a service agreement drawn up?
The price for having a service agreement drafted depends on the complexity and the interests involved. A simple assignment for a single service costs less than a framework agreement covering multiple assignments. Generally, you will see these price ranges from a specialized SME lawyer:
- Tailor-made standard agreement: 350 to 750 euros.
- Complex agreement with KPIs or IP agreements: 750 to 1,500 euros.
- Framework agreement with sub-assignments: 900 to 2,000 euros, but reusable.
- Checking your own model: 150 to 400 euros.
For straightforward contracts, most legal experts work with a fixed rate so that you know in advance what you will pay. For custom work or negotiations with a major client, this is sometimes done on an hourly basis. Always request a quote beforehand.
Do it yourself, check it, or outsource
There are three routes, and the right choice depends on the importance and complexity.
- Doing it yourself suits a short-term, manageable assignment with a trusted party and a limited budget, provided you understand the model.
- to have it checked if you already have a draft but have doubts about liability, termination, or self-employment.
- Having it drawn up pays off for high amounts, long-term collaboration, sensitive intellectual property, or the risk of bogus self-employment.
What you really pay for with services
The value of a legal expert lies in the points that specifically pose a risk in a service agreement. Firstly, the scope: a clear delineation prevents disputes regarding additional work and what was and was not agreed upon. Secondly, liability: without a reasonable limitation, the full provisions of Article 6:74 of the Dutch Civil Code apply, which can result in substantial damages.
Thirdly, independence. If the contractor works effectively under authority, without entrepreneurial risk and personally, the relationship may be classified as an employment contract, subject to the retroactive assessment of payroll taxes. When enforcing the doctrine of bogus self-employment, the Tax and Customs Administration looks at the facts, not just the text. A legal expert ensures that the provisions are correct and that the termination rules of Article 7:408 of the Dutch Civil Code are adapted to your situation.
The process step by step
- Intake: you describe the service, the fee, the duration, and the interests.
- Analysis: the lawyer assesses the scope, independence, and risks.
- Draft: you will receive a first version, often within a few working days.
- Feedback: you discuss compensation, liability, and cancellation.
- Final: the contract is finalized and prepared for signing.
Practical example: an SME worked with various independent consultants and used a different contract each time. This led to discrepancies in liability and termination. The company had a framework agreement with short sub-assignments drawn up on a one-off basis, in which the scope, remuneration, liability, and independence were properly regulated once and for all. After that, every new assignment only required completing an addendum.
Honest recommendation
You don't always need a lawyer. For a short-term, straightforward assignment with a trusted party and a limited amount, you can often draft the contract yourself, provided you clearly define the scope, remuneration, termination, and liability. A solid template that you understand and adapt to your situation will suffice in many cases.
Be sure to have the contract drafted or reviewed as soon as the stakes rise: a high contract value, long-term collaboration, sensitive intellectual property, or doubts about independence. In these cases, an error in liability or a missed independence clause can lead to substantial damages or additional payroll tax assessments. The expenditure of a few hundred euros does not outweigh the risk you are covering.
Want to proceed immediately? View the service agreement from MKB Juristen, first read what a service agreement is , and see how to drafting a service agreement .
Frequently Asked Questions
A custom-made contract from a specialized SME lawyer typically costs between 350 and 900 euros. A complex agreement involving KPIs or intellectual property arrangements ranges between 750 and 1,500 euros. A framework agreement is more expensive but reusable. Having your own template reviewed often costs between 150 and 400 euros.
For straightforward contracts, most legal experts work with a fixed rate so that you know in advance what you will pay. For custom work, KPIs, or negotiations with a major client, a legal expert sometimes charges on an hourly basis. Always request a quote beforehand to avoid any surprises.
After a thorough intake, you will usually receive a first draft within a few working days. The turnaround time depends on the complexity and how quickly you finalize the feedback regarding compensation, liability, and termination. A simple contract is often finalized within a week.
Yes. A review of your existing draft is cheaper than a custom contract and often costs between 150 and 400 euros. The legal expert checks, among other things, the scope, limitation of liability, termination clauses, and self-employment provisions, and adjusts the model where necessary.
The risks lie in an unclear scope, a missing limitation of liability, and the danger of bogus self-employment. Without limitation, the full provisions of Article 6:74 of the Dutch Civil Code apply, and in the case of de facto authority, there is a risk of retroactive assessment of payroll taxes. A legal expert ensures that the contract is sound and aligns with what you actually agree upon.
If you regularly work with independent service providers, then yes. You properly arrange the scope, compensation, liability, and independence once, and then use short sub-assignments per project. The higher initial investment pays for itself by the second or third contract.
For a short-term, straightforward assignment with a trusted party and a limited amount, you can draft the contract yourself, provided you use a solid template that you understand. In that case, ensure at a minimum a clear scope, remuneration, a notice period, and a reasonable limitation of liability.
