General Questions
Q: What is MonsterContracts, and who is it for?
A: MonsterContracts is a collection of attorney-reviewed contract templates designed specifically for WordPress developers, designers, and agencies. It helps professionals protect their businesses, clarify client expectations, and streamline project workflows.
Q: What documents are in MonsterContracts?
A: MonsterContracts currently offers 3 documents:
- The Master Services Agreement (MSA) is a comprehensive document for use in projects where you will build and manage a website.
- The Website Management Agreement (WMA) is an excerpt of the MSA that contains only language governing website management. It is useful for existing management clients and for new management clients whose site you did not build.
- The Contractor Agreement is used when you hire a contractor to work with you.
Q: Is the Master Services Agreement the same as a proposal?
A: No. We recommend a two-document approach. The Master Services Agreement contains covers ongoing terms and expectations that pertain to every project. Then, a Proposal of Services should detail project-specific elements like scope of work and pricing. Read more about our LINK two-document approach.
Q: Do you offer a "MonsterProposal"?
A: Not at this time, though this is an offering we are considering.
Q: Can I see a sample contract before purchasing?
A: We do not provide a sample contract for download. However, MonsterContracts is being used successfully by nearly 1000 freelancers and agencies around the world. It is designed to be an easily customizable framework that is annually reviewed by our attorneys. You have 5 days after purchase to evaluate MonsterContracts to make sure it's a good fit for you. View our Refund Policy for more information.
Q: How does MonsterContracts compare to other contract templates?
A: Unlike generic contract templates, MonsterContracts is tailored specifically for web development businesses, covering unique challenges like project scope, development specifications, licensing, maintenance, and client communication.
Q: How long does it take to customize the contract for my business?
A: Most of our members have been able to modify the contract to fit their businesses within a few hours. After you have a local attorney review it, their feedback might require additional minor adjustments.
Legal & Compliance Questions
Q: Is MonsterContracts a Long, Complicated Contract?
A: It's as long as it needs to be and as complex as it should be to provide you with the protection you need for client work. The Master Services Agreement is about 18 pages depending on your choice of font and size. Compared to other contracts, our Master Services Agreement is not complex. There are certain pieces of legal language that need to be present for your protection. But most of the agreement is written in plain language.
Q: Is MonsterContracts legally binding?
A: Yes, when properly executed, MonsterContracts provides a legally binding agreement. However, we recommend having a local attorney review it to ensure compliance with your jurisdiction.
Q: Do I need a lawyer to use MonsterContracts?
A: You should not use MonsterContracts without having it reviewed by a local attorney to ensure it aligns with particular laws in your area.
Q: Why not just get a local attorney to write the contract for me?
A: You could do that. But it's very unlikely that a local attorney will know to include the specific technical details in MonsterContracts regarding website development and management. An attorney-written contact could cost thousands of dollars. MonsterContracts can typically be reviewed by an attorney in 1-2 hours.
Q: Does MonsterContracts cover accessibility compliance?
A: Yes! MonsterContracts has 2 options for you to choose from regarding accessibility. One offers no guarantees and no statement of best practices. The other promises best practices, but no compliance guarantee unless specifically noted in the project's scope of work.
Q: Does MonsterContacts cover privacy and cookie compliance laws?
A: Yes! MonsterContracts has 2 options for you to choose from. One places responsibility on the client to provide the copy for legal pages. The other option incorporates the privacy policy waiver from by our friends at Termageddon (used with permission).
Q: Are the contracts enforceable in all U.S. states?
A: The contract language is designed to be broadly applicable across U.S. states, but local laws may require adjustments. A local attorney can ensure compliance.
Customizing and Using the Contracts
Q: Can I modify MonsterContracts to fit my business?
A: Yes! MonsterContracts is designed as a customizable framework, allowing you to tailor the agreement to your specific business model.
Q: How easy is it to customize MonsterContracts?
A: MonsterContracts documents are provided as downloadable DOCX files that can be opened by any modern word processor. Items that need to be customized or replaced are highlighted. Sections that have options for wording have a different color font to make them easy to see.
Q: How long does it take to customize MonsterContracts for my business?
A: Users report that they have been able to customize the documents for their business in about 2 hours. Our walkthrough videos break down each section of the contract and take about an hour to watch. You can customize as you go.
Q: Can I use MonsterContracts for hourly work?
A: Yes! The contract includes provisions for both fixed-price and hourly projects. You can modify the language to fit your preferred billing structure.
Q: Can I use MonsterContracts for non-WordPress projects?
A: Yes, though some sections reference WordPress-specific terms (like themes, plugins, etc.). You can easily adjust these references to fit your preferred CMS or development approach.
Q: Does MonsterContracts cover hosting agreements?
A: The contract includes general hosting-related provisions, but if you offer managed hosting, you may want to expand those clauses.
Q: I offer SEO, Social Media, or other services. Does MonsterContracts cover these?
A: MonsterContracts is designed to cover you as you build and manage websites. It does not offer language covering ongoing services for SEO, Social Media Management, or other adjacent services. However, you can easily add your existing terms to the MonsterContracts template.
International Use & Translations
Q: Is MonsterContracts Designed for use in all countries?
A: No. MonsterContracts is provided in English with US legal structures.
Q: Can MonsterContracts be used outside the USA?
A: Yes! We have many members in Canada, UK, Australia, and Europe who use MonsterContracts with minor modifications. We recommend having a local attorney review the legal sections.
Q: Is MonsterContracts available in languages other than English?
A: No. MonsterContracts is only available in English, but some users have successfully translated it into their language. Because of the complexity involved in managing multiple languages, we have no plans to offer MonsterContracts in languages other than English.
Membership & Account Management
Q: Why does MonsterContracts have an annual membership?
A: Because legal issues are always evolving. An annual membership insures you have the latest and best version of MonsterContracts. Plus you can earn a free renewal if you submit a change or addition that we approve and publish for other members.
Q: What does my membership include?
A: Your membership provides access to MonsterContracts, updates, and ongoing improvements. Renewing ensures your continued access to updates.
Q: Will I be notified prior to annual renewal?
A: Yes, you will be notified by email 3 days prior to your membership renewal date.
Q: How do I cancel my membership?
A: You can cancel your membership in your Member Dashboard by clicking My Membership and clicking the Cancel button.
Q: If I cancel my membership can I still use the MonsterContracts documents?
A: Of course! But you will not receive the latest updates when they are published.
Q: Can you provide an invoice that contains information, like my VAT number, business name, and billing address?
A: Yes. Though our membership system doesn't support this directly, contact us and we'll send you a properly formatted invoice.
Payment & Refunds
Q: What is the cost of MonsterContracts?
A: MonsterContracts costs $239 for the first year and renews at $39 per year for continued updates.
Q: Do you offer refunds?
A: Yes, we offer a 5-day evaluation period to make sure MonsterContracts is a good fit for you. During that time you can request a refund as explained in our Refund Policy.
Affiliates & Partnerships
Q: Do you have an affiliate program?
A: Yes! We offer an affiliate program where you can earn commissions for referrals. Click here for details.
Q: Is Nathan available to talk to my community about Contracts?
A: Yes! Contact us to discuss the details.