DJ contracts that secure the booking and the set time

A DJ booking lives or dies on details that are only discussed on the night: when you start, whether the venue has power where the decks go, who pays when the party runs two hours over. Put them in the contract and collect the deposit when the client signs.

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No card needed. Your client signs from their phone, without an account.

The contract and payment problems you actually run into

Bookings without a deposit

Dates in peak season get held with a message and cancelled with another. A non-refundable deposit at signing is the only real booking.

Overtime on the night

"Just one more hour!" is great for the party. Set the overtime rate per hour in advance, and who can approve it.

Venue, power and equipment

Load-in time, a safe space for gear, power, sound limits and curfews: if the venue can't provide them, the contract says it isn't your fault.

Travel and late cancellations

Out-of-town gigs involve fuel, parking and sometimes accommodation. List what's included and a cancellation schedule that keeps the deposit when it's too late to rebook.

How it works with Clinch

1
Describe the job in a sentence or two: the AI drafts the contract from a template made for your trade.
2
Send one link: your client reads and signs on their phone in about 30 seconds, no account needed.
3
Collect the deposit at signature, then invoice the balance from the same place.

Contract templates to start from

DJ Contract TemplateA DJ services contract covering set times, equipment and power, overtime, song requests, venue rules, and cancellation.Event Services Agreement TemplateA contract for event planning, coordination, or vendor services covering the event date, deliverables, and cancellation policy.Music Production Agreement TemplateA producer agreement covering the tracks, sessions, master ownership, producer royalties or points, credits, samples, and stems.Event Planning Contract TemplateAn event planner agreement covering planning services, vendor contracts in the client's name, budget, day-of coordination, and cancellation.

Clauses worth adding

Deposit clauseA non-refundable deposit clause for freelancers: how much, when it's due, and what it secures. Copy the wording and variants by trade.Cancellation clauseA cancellation clause for freelance projects and bookings: notice, fees by stage, and rescheduling.Hourly rate clauseAn hourly rate clause: your rate, billing increments, time tracking, estimates and what happens when an estimate is exceeded.Travel expenses clauseA travel clause: when travel is billed, how travel time is charged, and which costs the client covers.Client responsibilities clauseA client responsibilities clause listing what the client must provide, and by when, for the project to run on time.Force majeure clauseA force majeure clause for freelance and event contracts: events outside your control, suspension, and termination.

Free tools

Deposit calculatorPick a deposit, split the rest into milestones, copy the clause.Kill fee calculatorWork out what a client owes when they cancel mid-project.Invoice generatorLine items, tax, deposit paid, due date and late-fee terms in one clean invoice.Sign a PDFDraw or type your signature, place it on the PDF and download it signed.

Comparing tools?

Clinch vs HoneyBook for freelancers Clinch vs 17hats for freelancers Clinch vs sending a PDF over email

Questions

How much deposit should a DJ take?

Commonly 25–50%, non-refundable, with the balance due before or on the day of the event.

What if the venue cuts the music early?

Your contract should say you're paid for the booked time when the venue or client ends the set early for reasons outside your control.

Send your next contract in minutes

Start from the template for your trade, edit anything, and get paid the moment it's signed.

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Other trades

Photographers Wedding planners Designers Developers Copywriters Videographers Consultants Coaches Architects Translators Social media managers Event planners Fitness trainers Interior designers Marketers Illustrators Wedding photographers Web agencies Tutors

General information, not legal advice. For high-stakes deals, have a lawyer review your contract.

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