# Retainer agreement template

Replace the bracketed text and delete anything that doesn't apply.

**This template is a starting point, not legal advice.** Contract law and required terms vary by country. Have a qualified lawyer review it for your jurisdiction and business before you use it.

---

**RETAINER AGREEMENT**

**Client:** [Client company name]
**Provider:** [Your company name]
**Agreement reference:** [RET-2026-001]
**Start date:** [Date]
**Governing terms:** This agreement is issued under [the Master Services Agreement dated (date) / the terms attached as Appendix A].

**1. Parties and purpose**
[One or two sentences on what the retainer is for. E.g. "The provider will give ongoing website design and development support to the client."]

**2. Services included each month**
The monthly fee covers:
- [Service or deliverable 1, e.g. "Up to (number) hours of design and development support"]
- [Service or deliverable 2, e.g. "One monthly analytics summary"]
- [Service or deliverable 3, e.g. "One (length)-minute review call"]

**3. Hours, rollover and overages**
- Time is tracked in [15-minute] increments.
- Unused hours [do not roll over / roll over to the following month only, up to (number) hours].
- Rolled-over hours expire at the end of the agreement.
- Work beyond the monthly allowance is quoted and agreed in writing before it starts, at [rate / quoted price].

**4. Out of scope**
The following are not included and would be quoted separately:
- [Exclusion 1]
- [Exclusion 2]

**5. Requests and response times**
- The client requests work by [channel, e.g. the client portal / email to (address)].
- The provider will acknowledge requests within [number] working days.
- Requests are prioritised with the client at [the monthly review call / weekly check-in].

**6. Client responsibilities**
The client will:
- Provide [inputs, e.g. content, assets, access] needed for each request
- Invite the provider to required services with named-user access (no shared passwords)
- Nominate an approver: [Name, role]
- Respond to review requests within [number] working days

If inputs or approvals are late, related work is rescheduled and may use hours from a later month.

**7. Reporting, review and approvals**
- By [the fifth working day] of each month, the provider sends an update covering work completed, hours used, what's planned next and any decision needed.
- The nominated approver approves work before it is published or released.
- Approvals and decisions are recorded in writing.

**8. Fees, invoicing and payment**
- Monthly fee: [amount]
- Invoiced: [in advance on the first day of each month / other]
- Payment terms: [e.g. 14 days from invoice]
- Expenses: [included / billed at cost with prior approval]
- Fee review: [e.g. the provider may review fees on (number) days' written notice]

**9. Term, renewal and notice**
- Initial term: [number] months from the start date.
- After the initial term, the agreement continues [monthly] until ended.
- Either party may end the agreement with [number] days' written notice.
- Work completed and hours used up to the end date are payable.

**10. General terms**
Confidentiality, intellectual property, liability and other general terms are set out in [the Master Services Agreement / Appendix A].

**11. Signatures**

| | Client | Provider |
|---|---|---|
| Name | | |
| Title | | |
| Signature | | |
| Date | | |

---

## Before you send it

- [ ] The services section says what a month buys: hours, deliverables or access.
- [ ] Rollover and expiry rules for unused hours are clear.
- [ ] The out-of-scope list covers the requests you can already predict.
- [ ] Overage work must be agreed in writing before it starts.
- [ ] One approver is named, with a review window.
- [ ] The monthly report date and contents are agreed.
- [ ] Initial term, renewal and notice period are stated.
- [ ] Fees and payment terms match the proposal.
- [ ] A lawyer has reviewed the template for your jurisdiction.

---

# Worked example: monthly website support retainer

Harbour Lane Studio and Greenfield Dental are fictional companies used for illustration.

**Services included each month:** up to 20 hours of website design and development support, one monthly analytics summary and one 30-minute review call.

**Hours and rollover:** time is tracked in 15-minute increments. Up to five unused hours roll over to the following month only. Work beyond the monthly hours is quoted and agreed in writing before it starts.

**Out of scope:** full redesigns, new websites, paid advertising management and photography. These can be quoted separately as projects.

**Reporting and approvals:** by the fifth working day of each month, Harbour Lane Studio sends an update covering work completed, hours used, what's planned next and any decision needed. The practice manager approves changes before they go live.

**Term and notice:** an initial three-month term, then rolling monthly. Either party can end the agreement with 30 days' written notice.

Template by Angelwood — https://angelwood.io/