Independent Contractor / Trade Agreement — Plain-English Summary

Hire an independent tradesperson (electrician, plumber, carpenter, painter) for a job, with licensing, insurance, safety and 1099 status.

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Simple Full Plain-English Summary

Plain-English Summary: explains each section of the Full version. Sign it alongside the Full version, or use it on its own as a summary sheet.

This template is not legal advice; consult a licensed attorney in your state. Laws, required disclosures and signing formalities (witnesses, notarization, recording) vary by state and county.
E-Sign Auto is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.

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1. Parties2. Details 1/23. Details 2/2

Parties

Signing order: Hiring Party → Trade Contractor. Each signer is invited after the previous one signs.

1. Hiring PartyFull name *Email (to send the signing link)

2. Trade ContractorFull name *Email (to send the signing link)

Signature, date and name fields are added for every signer automatically.

Details 1/2

Work to be performedCompensation (fixed, per unit or hourly) *Who supplies materials *Start date *Completion date *Required liability insurance ($) *

Details 2/2

State worker-classification and licensing requirements [STATE-SPECIFIC]Governing state *County for venue [STATE-SPECIFIC] *

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Signature, initials (every page) and date fields are placed for each party. You can review and adjust them before sending.

Live preview

What the sections mean (plain English)

INSURANCE: Coverage each side must carry.
SAFETY: Who is responsible for keeping workers and the site safe.
WARRANTY: Promises about quality or condition, and what is not promised.
INDEMNITY: Who pays if a third party sues because of the other side's actions.
TERMINATION: How long it lasts and how either side can end it.
GOVERNING LAW AND VENUE: Which state's law applies and where any lawsuit must be filed.
SEVERABILITY: If a court strikes one clause, the rest still counts.
ENTIRE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENT: How this document can be changed later.
NOTICES: How the parties must officially contact each other.
COUNTERPARTS; ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES: E-signatures are valid and each party can sign separately.
DISPUTE RESOLUTION: How disagreements get handled before anyone goes to court.
Optional clauses: Extra terms you can switch on or off in step 3. Leave them off if unsure.

How to use this Independent Contractor / Trade Agreement template

Answer the guided questions. Your name and company fill in automatically from your profile.
Pick the governing state and complete the [STATE-SPECIFIC] blanks. Switch optional clauses on or off.
Check the live preview, then create the document. Signature, initial and date fields are placed for each party.
Review the fields and send. Each party signs in order, and everyone gets the signed PDF.

Frequently asked questions

Is this Independent Contractor / Trade Agreement template free?

Yes. You can fill it in, download it and send it for electronic signature with a free E-Sign Auto account.

Is an electronically signed Independent Contractor / Trade Agreement legally binding?

In the U.S., the federal ESIGN Act and state UETA laws generally give e-signatures the same effect as handwritten ones. Check your state's rules.

Does this template work in my state?

It is a generic, state-neutral starting point. Pick your governing state and complete every blank marked [STATE-SPECIFIC]. This template is not legal advice; consult a licensed attorney in your state.

Who signs, and in what order?

Hiring Party, then Trade Contractor. Each signer gets a secure link in that order, with signature, initial and date fields already placed.