Contract Negotiation Tips: What to Ask For Before You Sign
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Contract Risk Checker →Lease Negotiation: What Landlords Actually Change
Notice period for auto-renewal (reduce from 60 to 30 days). Early termination fee cap (cap at 2 months rent). Repair responsibility threshold (raise from $100 to $300). Entry notice requirement (request 48-hour minimum). Security deposit return timeline (request 14 days in writing).
Employment Contract Negotiation: Before Day One
Non-compete geographic scope and duration (reduce both). IP assignment carve-out for personal projects done on personal time. Severance provision (request minimum 2 weeks per year of service). Clawback period for signing bonus (reduce from 24 to 12 months). Equity vesting acceleration on acquisition (request double trigger).
NDA Negotiation: Standard Requests That Get Accepted
Define confidential information specifically (not "all information shared"). Add carve-out for publicly available information. Set expiration date of 2–3 years for general business information. Convert one-sided NDA to mutual if you're also sharing information.
Freelance Contract Negotiation: Protect Your Work
Limit IP assignment to final approved deliverables (not drafts). Cap revisions at 2 rounds with additional rounds billed hourly. Define payment terms clearly (net 15 or net 30, not "on completion"). Add kill fee clause of 25–50% if project is cancelled mid-work.
How to Make a Negotiation Request
Email is preferred. Reference the specific section number. Propose alternative language, not just objections. Frame as standard practice, not personal distrust. Accept the final version in writing.
Revealr Editorial Team
Reviewed for accuracy by the Revealr editorial team. Our articles are written and reviewed by contract specialists to ensure the information reflects common legal standards and current practice. This article is for informational purposes only.
Not legal advice. This article is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and is not a substitute for consultation with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction. Laws vary significantly by state and country.
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