CONSULTANT AGREEMENT

Independent Contractor Consultant Agreement

An agreement from Northwind Studio covering advisory services, deliverables, and independent status.

PREPARED FOR

Acme Co

PREPARED BY

Northwind Studio

DATE

August 18, 2026

Northwind Studio

CONSULTANT AGREEMENT

Parties and Overview

This agreement is entered into by Northwind Studio (the "Client") and Acme Co (the "Consultant") for the advisory work described below. The Consultant operates as an independent business and is responsible for its own taxes, insurance, and benefits.

TERM

6 months

Initial retainer term with monthly renewal after.

CAPACITY

4 days / mo

Consulting days reserved for the Client.

DIAGNOSTIC

Included

Structured diagnosis at the start of the term.

Objectives

Deliver a clear diagnostic of the current state.
Advise the leadership team on strategic questions.
Support execution with monthly working sessions.
Preserve Consultant independence throughout.

Northwind Studio

CONSULTANT AGREEMENT

Scope and Deliverables

The engagement covers a one-time diagnostic report and an ongoing monthly consulting retainer.

PHASE 1 · DIAGNOSTIC

Diagnostic report

Structured interviews, document review, and a written diagnostic covering current state, key risks, and the strategic questions worth answering during the engagement.

PHASE 2 · ADVISORY RETAINER

Advisory retainer

Ongoing sparring with the leadership team as recommendations are put into practice: monthly working sessions, on-demand office hours, and written check-ins.

PHASE 3 · OWNERSHIP AND HANDOFF

Ownership and handoff

All Client-specific work product transfers to the Client on final payment. Consultant retains pre-existing frameworks, methodologies, and analytical tools.

What is included

Structured diagnostic report
Monthly working sessions with leadership
On-demand office hours during the term
Written check-ins and progress notes

Not included: execution work, hands-on implementation, employee benefits, and exclusive availability. Additional consulting days are available on request at the day rate below.

Northwind Studio

CONSULTANT AGREEMENT

Fees and Payment

The engagement combines a one-time diagnostic fee with an ongoing monthly consulting retainer.

Item	Rate	Qty	Amount
Monthly retainer (4 consulting days)	$8,000	6	$48,000
Diagnostic report (one-time)	$4,500	1	$4,500
Additional consulting day, on request	$2,200	0	$0
Total			$52,500

Payment Schedule

Milestone	Share	Amount
On signature (diagnostic + month one)	Diagnostic + month 1	$12,500
Monthly on the 1st, months 2 through 6	Monthly retainer	$8,000
Additional consulting day, on request	Per day	$2,200

Invoices are due within 15 days. Either party may end the engagement with 30 days' written notice after the initial term.

Northwind Studio

CONSULTANT AGREEMENT

Acceptance

To proceed, complete the fields below and sign. This contract is valid for 30 days from the date on the cover.

PURCHASE ORDER NUMBER

Enter your PO number

PREFERRED START DATE

e.g. October 2026

I confirm I am authorized to approve this engagement.

CLIENT

Sign here

Acme Co

PROVIDER

Sign here

Northwind Studio

About this template

The Independent Contractor Consultant Agreement Template is a five-page document for locking in an advisory engagement before work starts. It covers diagnostic, advisory retainer, ownership, a fee table with a computed total, and a signature page ready for both sides.

It is intentionally simple: rename what needs renaming in Bonsai, set your day rate, and confirm the reserved days. Merge fields handle the client details and date, and the last page collects a PO number, kickoff month, and both signatures.

Details

Format: Doc · 5 pages

Recipients: Client + Provider

Signature: Client + Provider

Merge fields: Sender, Receiver, Date