Free Statement of Work (SOW) Template
A formal, sign-ready SOW that defines deliverables, acceptance criteria, period of performance, and pricing. Choose fixed-price, time-and-materials, or unit-rate billing. Use it standalone or issue it under a master service agreement.
- No signup required
- Free forever
- Reviewed June 2026
- Acceptance criteria included
Branding (optional)
1 — Provider
2 — Client
3 — Project & Governing Agreement
4 — Schedule (Period of Performance)
5 — Pricing & Payment
6 — Acceptance & AI Tools
7 — Governing Law
PDF: choose "Save as PDF" in the dialog that opens.
Statement of Work (SOW)
Effective date: enter start date above
1. Parties & Governing Agreement
Service Provider: enter provider name
Client: enter client name
Project: enter project title (IT & software)
This Statement of Work ("SOW") is a standalone binding contract between the parties and contains all terms governing the work described below.
2. Purpose & Objectives
The purpose of this SOW is to define the deliverables, schedule, and pricing for the IT & software project above. State the business objectives and success measures in the downloaded document.
3. Scope of Services & Tasks
The Provider will perform the services and tasks required to produce the deliverables in Section 4. Work outside this scope requires a written change order (Section 8).
Tip: attach a detailed in-scope / out-of-scope list. Add project-specific exclusions in the DOCX.
4. Deliverables & Acceptance Criteria
Each deliverable is accepted only when it meets its stated, measurable acceptance criteria.
☐ Deliverable 1 — [description] · Acceptance: [measurable criteria]
☐ Deliverable 2 — [description] · Acceptance: [measurable criteria]
☐ Deliverable 3 — [description] · Acceptance: [measurable criteria]
Client has 10 business days to review each deliverable and accept, request the included revisions, or reject with specific written reasons. No response = deemed acceptance. 2 rounds of revisions included per deliverable.
5. Period of Performance & Milestones
Period of performance: enter date → enter date
☐ Milestone 1: [milestone · due date]
☐ Milestone 2: [milestone · due date]
Client-caused delays extend the Provider's dates day-for-day at no penalty to the Provider.
6. Pricing Model & Payment Schedule
Pricing: enter amount above
Upfront: 25% due on execution before work begins.
Payment terms: Net 30. No IP transfers until all fees are paid in full. Invoices unpaid after the due date accrue 1.5%/month interest.
7. Assumptions & Dependencies
This SOW's estimate and schedule rely on: timely Client feedback and approvals; Client provision of source materials, access, and a decision-maker with authority; and the scope stated in Section 3. If an assumption proves false, affected dates and fees are adjusted via change order (Section 8).
8. Change Control
Scope changes follow a written change-control process: ① Client submits a change request → ② Provider issues a written change order (impact on scope, schedule, and fees) within 3 business days → ③ Client countersigns → ④ work begins. No out-of-scope work is performed without a signed change order.
9. Intellectual Property & AI Tools
Upon receipt of all fees, Provider assigns to Client all right, title, and interest in the accepted deliverables (Section 4). Provider retains its pre-existing Background IP and grants Client a perpetual, royalty-free licence to use Background IP embedded in the deliverables.
10. General Provisions
Provider is an independent contractor, not an employee. Amendments in writing only. Electronic signatures valid (ESIGN Act / UETA).
Governing law: select state above.
Service Provider
Signature
Print name: _______________
Title: ___________________________
Date: ___________________________
Client
Signature
Print name: _______________
Title: ___________________________
Date: ___________________________
Preview — first 4 of 10 sections shown
Section 1
Parties & Governing Agreement
Service Provider: [Provider Name], [Address]
Client: [Client Name / Company], [Address]
Project: [Project / SOW Title]
This SOW is a standalone contract — or, where selected, is issued under and governed by a master service agreement (MSA), which controls in any conflict.
Section 2
Purpose & Objectives
States the business objectives the project must achieve and how success will be measured — the context that scope, schedule, and cost estimates depend on.
Section 3
Scope of Services & Tasks
Defines the in-scope services and tasks. Anything not listed is out of scope and requires a written change order:
Section 4
Deliverables & Acceptance Criteria
Each deliverable is paired with objective, measurable acceptance criteria and an owner:
Deemed-acceptance provision
Client reviews within [10 business days] and accepts, requests included revisions, or rejects with specific reasons. No response within the window = deemed acceptance (Restatement (Second) of Contracts §69).
+ 6 more sections: Period of Performance & Milestones, Pricing & Payment, Assumptions & Dependencies, Change Control, IP & AI Tools, General Provisions — download the full template ↓
Download this statement of work template
Fill in the form above, then download your ready-to-sign document. No account required.
What's included in this statement of work template
How to use this statement of work template
Fill in the project details above
Enter the parties, project title, and period of performance, then choose whether the SOW is standalone or issued under an MSA. Pick a pricing model — fixed price, time & materials, or unit rate — and the payment section adapts. The live preview updates as you type.
Download the DOCX
Click "Download DOCX" for a filled Word document. Open it in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or LibreOffice to complete the deliverables, acceptance criteria, milestones, and objectives for your project.
Write measurable deliverables and acceptance criteria
Pair each deliverable with objective, testable acceptance criteria and an owner — "the API returns 200 for all 12 documented endpoints," not "the API works." Vague acceptance criteria are the leading cause of payment disputes. List any assumptions the estimate relies on.
Get both parties to sign before work begins
Send via a signing tool (Bonsai, DocuSign, PandaDoc) or email as a PDF for wet signatures. Keep a fully executed copy. Do not start work until both signatures are on file.
Common addendums to attach:
Statement of work template — frequently asked questions
Bonsai, HelloSign, and PandaDoc let clients sign your SOW online in minutes — no printing required.