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Share this document Download for freeThis General Service Agreement (the “Agreement”) dated this _____ day of ____________, 20__ is between [ the Customer ], herein referred to as “Customer” and [ Service Provider ], herein referred to as “Service Provider”.
Service Provider has agreed to provide services to the Customer on the terms and conditions set out in this Agreement, while Customer is of the opinion that Service Provider has the proper and necessary qualifications, experience and abilities to provide services to Customer.
Therefore in consideration of the matters described above, the receipt and sufficiency of which consideration is hereby acknowledged, the Customer and the Service Provider agree as follows:
The Service Provider is to provide the Customer with the following services (the “Services”):
[ Describe the services that will be provided ].
The services will include any other tasks which the Customer and the Service Provider may agree on.
2. Term of Agreement
This Agreement will begin on [ Beginning Date ] and will remain in full force and effect until the completion of the Services. This Agreement may be extended by mutual written agreement of the parties.
If either party seeks termination of this Agreement, the terminating party must provide a 30 day written notice to the other party.
The Customer will provide compensation to the Service Provider of $ ____ per hour for the services rendered by the Service Provider as required by this Agreement. Compensation is payable at the completion of services.
5. Independent Contractor
The Service Provider is acting as an independent contractor in providing the Services under this Agreement, not as an employee. The parties agree that this Agreement does not create a joint venture or a partnership between them.
6. Modification of Agreement
Any modifications or amendments to this Agreement will be binding if evidenced in writing signed by each Party.
All notices or demands required or permitted by the terms of this Agreement will be given in writing and delivered to the parties.
8. Time is of the Essence
No extension or variation of this Agreement will operate as a waiver of this provision. Time is of the essence in this Agreement.
This Agreement contains the entire agreement and understanding by and between the Customer and the Service Provider and no representations, promises, agreements or understandings, written or oral, not herein contained shall be of any force or effect.
10. Choice of Law
This Agreement and the performance under this Agreement and all suits and special proceedings under this Agreement, be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of ______________.
The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed severable, and the invalidity or unenforceability of any one or more of the provisions hereof shall not affect the validity and enforceability of the other provisions hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have duly affixed their signatures under hand and seal on this _____ day of ______________, 20__.
Service Provider Name
Service Provider Signature
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A service agreement is a contract entered into by two entities in which one agrees to provide a specified service to the other. It typically defines the boundaries of the service that is being provided and the compensation or payment that the service provider will receive. Signing a service agreement can help a project go more smoothly. It provides legal protection to both the service provider and the employer and ensures that everyone is agreeing to the same terms.
"Service agreement" is a broad term that can be used to describe any contract where two parties agree that one will provide a service and one will pay for the service. A service agreement might also be called a general service contract, a service level agreement, or a consulting services agreement.
There are various types of service agreements, including the following:
A service agreement can be used for marketing services, advertising services, testing services, consulting services, management services, or any other professional services where one person has agreed to provide a service to another.
A service agreement might also be a warranty feature offered with a product. This type of service agreement means that the product's manufacturer agrees to fix or replace the product if it breaks or malfunctions within a certain period of t
Keep in mind that a service agreement isn't a bond. A bond holds only one person to the contract, while a service agreement holds both parties accountable. That way both parties are protected instead of just one.
There are many contracts that are similar to a service agreement, such as the following:
There are specific guidelines for what language and terms should be included in a service agreement to make it legally binding and to protect both parties.
A service agreement should include:
A service agreement is necessary any time a contractor sells his services or anytime a business purchases a service from another entity.
A service agreement is especially important because services are harder to prove than a product. When a company buys a product, there's a physical object to show for it. This isn't always the case when a company buys a service. A service contract makes sure everyone understands what will be delivered and when.
Some services, such as marketing or advertising, are subjective. For instance, a marketing agency can provide their services without your business seeing a return. This is where a service agreement can come in handy. It makes sure that both the marketing agency and your business know what the end result will be and the cost to get there.
When working with a contractor or as a contractor, protection is necessary. Even a contractor with a great reputation can fail. If something goes wrong, a service agreement acts as the protection for both parties.
To create your own service agreement, consider the level of protection you need. For true legal protection, it's important to have your service agreement drawn up or reviewed by a lawyer.
It's possible to find legitimate service agreement templates online. You can also seek the help of one of UpCounsel's templates or highly-trained lawyers for help.
Here are some recommended steps for creating your own service agreement:
There is a multitude of reasons why a service agreement will be beneficial to your business, whether you're a contractor or large company.
It Saves Money and Time
When you run a business, time is money. The time spent creating, discussing, and signing a service agreement will be much less than you would spend sorting out a misunderstanding with a contractor.
Because a service agreement outlines the specifics of payment, it also helps prevent any surprise costs. When you sign the agreement, you should know exactly what the service will cost you.
It Prevents Misunderstanding
A service agreement, at its very core, lists the services that will be provided, the time frame in which it will be provided, and the compensation. Once both parties sign, it should be clear what is expected.
Because everything is agreed upon up front and written down on paper, the risk of a misunderstanding is greatly reduced.
If a misunderstanding does come up, the service agreement should make clear who is right and how to solve the problem.
It Reduces the Risk of Litigation
Misunderstandings can lead to litigation, and lawsuits are expensive. A service agreement reduces the risk of misunderstandings and therefore the potential for litigation.
What is a service agreement?
A service agreement is a contract that specifically lays out a service that will be provided by one entity and the payment that will be provided by a second entity.
Does a service agreement need to be written down?
A handshake might seem like enough, but it's very important to write out the agreement. A written agreement gives both parties protection in case something goes wrong.
A written agreement also provides more legal protection than a spoken agreement.
What happens if a contract isn't followed?
A broken contract can be scary or annoying. If something doesn't work out, you can consider small claims court or consult with an attorney to find out your legal options.
If you need to create a service agreement or you find yourself in the situation of a broken agreement, you can hire a knowledgeable attorney to help you through the process. The attorneys at UpCounsel are experienced and ready to help.