How much does it cost for a lawyer to draw up a contract?

Asked by: Emely Block  |  Last update: April 10, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (36 votes)

Simple contract drafting costs can range between $200 and $800 as a flat fee depending upon your needs. An online contract lawyer could also bill their services at an hourly rate between $100 and $350 an hour. Click here to explore some hourly rates in our marketplace.

How much does it cost to draw up a contract?

The Cost of a Lawyer to Draft an Employment Contract

There is a wide range - junior lawyers at small firms will charge less, and senior lawyers at large firms will charge more. But the average is about $500 per hour. A lawyer's draft of a standard employment contract takes about one hour.

Do you need a lawyer to draw up a contract?

Although you don't have to hire a lawyer, you should. Entering into a legally binding agreement isn't something you should take lightly. Signing a document without fully comprehending the terms or your rights is dangerous. It can lead to significant unintended consequences and time-consuming legal battles.

How much does it cost to hire a lawyer to review a contract?

The average hourly rate for a contract lawyer to draft and review a contract is $150-$350. Some attorneys also prefer charging a flat fee, ranging between $200-$800, for drafting a prenuptial agreement or independent contractor agreement.

Are contract lawyers worth it?

It's worth it. In the scheme of your career this is less than pennies. The cost shouldn't even cross your mind. Contracts are written to protect the company, not you. Not saying you want to go in and request a bunch of change, but even requesting a slight changing of wording on a couple sentences can help protect you.

Drafting your own Contract (Why it can cost more)

43 related questions found

Are contract lawyers expensive?

Hiring a contract lawyer doesn't come cheap. The average attorney contract review cost per hour in the U.S. ranges anywhere from $125 to over $500. Costs can depend largely on the lawyer's experience, specialization, and location.

How much does a contract cost?

According to ContractsCounsel's marketplace data, the average legal contract drafting costs are $644 across all states and industries.

What are the disadvantages of hiring a lawyer to draft or review a contract?

On the other hand, some drawbacks of hiring a contract review attorney may include:
  • Spending unnecessary funds on hiring an attorney to review a simple and straightforward agreement;
  • Having to wait for an attorney to review a contract, which in turn, will delay signing it and moving forward with a business deal;

Can I write up my own legal contract?

Can I write my own contract? Yes, you can write your own contract. However, including all necessary elements is crucial to make it legally binding.

Can a non-lawyer draft a contract?

Under California Business and Professions Code section 6450 (b) paralegals are not permitted to: Give legal advice. Represent a client in court. Select, explain, draft, or recommend the use of legal documents to or for any person other than the attorney who directs and supervises the paralegal.

Who can I get to draw up a contract?

Any attorney that offers general business counsel or contract drafting could help you with that. How much it costs depends on how detailed and/or unusual the terms are.

How long does it take to draw up a contract?

Draft Contract – approximately 2-10 weeks.

How much is a contracting fee?

General contractors charge a 10% to 20% fee percentage of construction costs for large projects and a fixed, daily, or hourly rate for small jobs. Contractor hourly rates are $50 to $150 per hour on average.

How much does it cost to draw up a lease agreement?

The average cost (i.e., legal fees) for a lawyer to draft a lease agreement is $590 [1] on a flat fee basis. The average cost for a lawyer to review a lease agreement is $580 [2] on a flat fee basis. These cost points come from recent projects on the ContractsCounsel platform and are averages from across all US states.

What is a reasonable attorney fee?

COURT AWARDED ATTORNEY'S FEES - WHAT IS 'REASONABLE'?

THE DISCRETION OF THE COURTS IN DETERMINING THE PROPER AMOUNT OF A FEE AWARD IS FOUND NOT TO BE UNLIMITED IN EITHER CONTEXT. IN BOTH CONTEXTS, A REASONABLE FEE IS ONE THAT AWARDS THE ATTORNEY THE MARKET VALUE OF THE TIME AND EFFORT JUSTIFIABLY EXPENDED.

Will a lawyer take a losing case?

If they can't sufficiently prove your case, a personal lawyer may refuse to take it. Remember, lawyers, do not like to take cases they don't think they can win. A lot of hours go into preparing a lawsuit involving more people than just the attorneys.

Do you have to pay a lawyer upfront?

In some instances, a lawyer may ask you to pay a certain amount before they begin to work on your case. The attorney then bills his expenses and time against the retainer fee as your case progresses.

How much does it cost to get a lawyer to draft a contract?

Simple contract drafting costs can range between $200 and $800 as a flat fee depending upon your needs. An online contract lawyer could also bill their services at an hourly rate between $100 and $350 an hour. Click here to explore some hourly rates in our marketplace.

What is the basic contract price?

Basic Contract Price . / “Basic Contract Value” means the total price payable to the Contractor/Consultant for the full scope of the works under the contract as mentioned in the Price Schedule(s) at the time of award of work.

What is the cost of a contract?

Contract costing is a form of particular order costing that contractors generally apply for orders of a long duration. However, some prefer calling it "terminal costing" because after completing the work, the account is closed immediately.

Do you need a lawyer to create a contract?

To be considered legally valid, a contract must meet certain criteria, such as mutual assent, consideration, capacity, and a legal purpose. However, it is possible to create a legal contract without hiring a lawyer. Seeking lawyers is customary but not necessary.

Do lawyers draft contracts from scratch?

Most lawyers draft their own templates based on the specific areas on contract law they practice and the laws in the state they operate in. While there are some lawyers who insist on creating every contract from scratch, they are, in essence, just reinventing the wheel.

Can you fire a lawyer after signing a contract?

Fortunately, California law permits you to terminate your contract for legal representation. Also, you are not prohibited from changing lawyers. California law allows you to terminate the services of one lawyer and immediately upon doing so retain the services of another.