# Client Onboarding Checklist — UK Freelancer

Use for every new client to reduce scope creep, payment friction, and mid-project surprises.

## Before signing

- [ ] Discovery call — scope, timeline, budget, decision-makers
- [ ] Confirm decision-maker has authority to sign and pay
- [ ] Verify client company details (Companies House if UK Ltd, or equivalent)
- [ ] Establish payment terms (Net 14 or 30 typical)
- [ ] Discuss deposit or milestone payments for projects > £2,000

## Contract stage

- [ ] Written contract signed by both parties BEFORE work starts
- [ ] Scope of work documented in writing
- [ ] Deliverables and acceptance criteria specified
- [ ] Payment schedule agreed (dates + amounts)
- [ ] IP ownership clause (usually on-payment)
- [ ] Late payment interest clause (references statutory rate)
- [ ] Termination and notice period agreed
- [ ] Confidentiality / NDA if handling sensitive information

## Financial setup

- [ ] Client billing address and finance contact captured
- [ ] Purchase order number if client uses PO system
- [ ] Deposit invoice raised and paid (if applicable)
- [ ] Client added to your accounting software
- [ ] Client added to invoice tracker

## Communication setup

- [ ] Preferred communication channel agreed (email, Slack, Teams)
- [ ] Weekly check-in frequency established
- [ ] Point of contact on client side confirmed
- [ ] Response-time expectations documented

## Data and security

- [ ] Access to client systems provisioned (or documented as not required)
- [ ] Data-handling and GDPR expectations documented if personal data involved
- [ ] File-sharing method agreed (Google Drive, Dropbox, SharePoint, etc.)

## Kick-off

- [ ] Kick-off meeting scheduled
- [ ] First deliverable date confirmed and diaried
- [ ] Success criteria written down and shared

## Sources referenced

- HMRC — Business records if self-employed: https://www.gov.uk/self-employed-records
- Legislation.gov.uk — Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/20/contents
- ICO — Guide to UK GDPR: https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/uk-gdpr-guidance-and-resources/

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*Downloaded from FreelanceToolkit UK — https://freelancetoolkituk.co.uk/client-onboarding-checklist*