What to check before you sign, by agreement type.
The glossary explains one clause at a time. These guides put the clauses that matter for one kind of contract in one place, in the order a reviewer checks them — with the fix to ask for.
Vendor master services agreements
A plain-English MSA review checklist for owner-operators: the term and auto-renewal, liability caps, indemnities, price increases, assignment and governing law — and what to ask for.
8 clauses to check · 7-point checklist
SaaS subscription agreements
What to look for in a SaaS subscription agreement before signing: auto-renewal, seat minimums, price escalators, data portability, SLA credits and uptime, liability — with the fix to ask for.
7 clauses to check · 6-point checklist
3PL and fulfillment agreements
What to check in a 3PL or fulfillment agreement before signing: volume minimums, storage and accessorial fees, inventory liability, shrink allowances, exit terms and data access — with the fix to ask for.
7 clauses to check · 6-point checklist
Agency and consulting agreements
A review checklist for marketing agency, development shop and consulting agreements: retainers and minimum terms, scope and change orders, IP ownership, ad account control, exclusivity, and exit — with the fix to ask for.
7 clauses to check · 6-point checklist
Shopify app and ecommerce platform agreements
What to review in Shopify app, marketplace integration and ecommerce SaaS terms before you install: usage-based pricing, data access and resale, auto-renewal, liability, and what happens to your store data when you uninstall.
6 clauses to check · 6-point checklist
Equipment leases
A review checklist for equipment leases: end-of-term and evergreen renewals, hell-or-high-water payment clauses, maintenance and insurance obligations, early-termination math, purchase options, and return conditions.
6 clauses to check · 6-point checklist
Staffing and recruiting agreements
What to check in a staffing, temp-to-hire or recruiting agreement before you sign: conversion and placement fees, bill-rate markups, guarantee periods, co-employment liability, non-solicitation, and termination.
6 clauses to check · 6-point checklist
Freight and carrier agreements
What to check in a freight, parcel or carrier agreement before signing: rate validity and fuel surcharges, accessorial schedules, cargo liability limits, claims deadlines, minimum volume tiers, and termination.
6 clauses to check · 6-point checklist
Supplier and distribution agreements
What to check in a supplier, wholesale or distribution agreement before signing: minimum order quantities, price-change rights, exclusivity and territory, delivery and acceptance, payment terms, and termination.
6 clauses to check · 6-point checklist
Commercial leases
What an owner-operator should check in a commercial lease before signing: base rent escalators, CAM and operating-expense pass-throughs, renewal options and notice, assignment and subletting, personal guarantees, and build-out and restoration obligations.
6 clauses to check · 7-point checklist
Definitions and negotiation guidance here are educational business decision support, not legal advice. Consult an attorney about how any clause applies to your own agreement.