The 12 Business Contracts Every Company Needs (and What Each Protects)
Most companies don't realize they need a contract until something goes wrong — a contractor walks with the IP, a client refuses to pay, a co-founder leaves with equity. Here are the 12 contracts most businesses need, and the failure each one prevents.
ATTORNEY REVIEW REQUIRED: CreateDocs.ai is not a law firm. General education, not legal advice. Have a lawyer review high-stakes, high-value, or high-liability contracts.
1. Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)
Protects confidential info before you share it with investors, contractors, or partners. Unilateral when you share; mutual when both sides do. Generate an NDA →
2. Independent Contractor Agreement
Defines IP ownership, payment, and classification. Without it, a contractor can claim ownership of what they built — or get reclassified as an employee. Generate a contractor agreement →
3. Master Service Agreement (MSA)
The umbrella contract for repeat client work: liability caps, payment terms, termination. Pair with a Statement of Work per project. Generate an MSA →
4. Statement of Work (SOW)
Scope, deliverables, milestones, change-order process for a specific project. Prevents scope-creep disputes. Generate an SOW →
5. Employment Agreement
Documents the deal with W-2 hires: role, compensation, IP assignment, confidentiality. Generate an employment agreement →
6. Employee NDA / PIIA
Even with an employment agreement, a standalone IP/confidentiality sign-on protects trade secrets. Generate an employee NDA →
7. Non-Compete / Non-Solicitation
Limits a departing employee or contractor from poaching clients or competing. Enforceability varies by state — review locally. Generate an employment agreement →
8. Operating Agreement (LLC) or Bylaws
Your company's internal rulebook: ownership, voting, transfers, dissolution. Keeps good standing and avoids state default rules. Generate an operating agreement →
9. Partnership / Founders' Agreement
For co-founders: equity, vesting, decision rights, exit. Unvested equity is the #1 startup implosion cause. Generate a partnership agreement →
10. Customer Agreement / Terms of Service
The contract with paying customers: what you deliver, liability limits, failure handling. Generate terms of service →
11. Privacy Policy
Legally required if you collect any user data (you do). Documents what you collect and why. Generate a privacy policy →
12. Promissory Note
If you lend or borrow money (founder loans, equipment financing), this documents repayment. Generate a promissory note →
Takeaway
You don't need a lawyer for all 12 on day one — but you need them before the relationship starts. Generate what you need, fill them in, and have a lawyer review anything high-stakes.