Extensive Master Service Agreements for your business.

What's the difference between a Basic and Complex Agreement?

Basic Master Service Agreements are suitable for

• Customers that receive (or service providers that provide) standard services that require a low degree of negotiation or collaboration between the parties
• Agreements that use a fixed-price fee structure, including payment in instalments
• Agreements with a dollar value less than $100,000

There are a large number of variables that could make your MSA complex by nature. Learn more about the differences by accessing the Master Service Agreement Info Sheet above.

Will I be able to communicate with my lawyer after the kickoff call?

Yes, absolutely. You can use the Goodlawyer platform to send messages and files. If substantially more communication is needed, your lawyer may request another call.

What if I need more than one Master Service Agreement?

This service will only cover the creation of one Master Service Agreement. If additional Master Service Agreements are needed, you can talk to your Good Lawyer. Sometimes it is more efficient to produce multiple Agreements and a discount is possible, but that is situational and Goodlawyer can’t guarantee any kind of bulk discount.

What if I need more than one Statement of Work?

This service includes the development of a customized Statement of Work template that you will be able to easily modify for future projects. If you would like your lawyer to help draft more Statements of Work, you can discuss it with them. Any additional work is subject to extra fees. Your lawyer will always discuss this with you for your approval before proceeding.

Can I use my Master Service Agreement to hire employees?

No. Master Service Agreements are used to hire a service provider or contractor for an indefinite period of time with the potential to modify the scope of work if needed. Even though they might seem the same on the surface, the law treats contractors and employees very differently. If you aren’t sure, your lawyer will be able to clearly identify and draft whichever agreement you need.

What’s the difference between a Contractor Agreement and a Master Service Agreement?

A Contractor Agreement is used for projects with a well-defined scope of work or a definite period of time, and a whole new Contractor Agreement is generally needed if something changes. Under a Master Service Agreement, if the project changes, finishes, or if a new project starts, only a new Statement of Work is needed rather than an entire agreement. Typically, if you started a service relationship that is likely to continue, grow, and change for months or years, it is recommended that you use a Master Service Agreement. If you are planning on completing a single, short-term project it is recommended that you use a standard Independent Contractor Agreement. Your lawyer will be able to identify which Agreement will suit your needs.

Can I just use a template I found on the internet?

Master Service Agreements govern very specific relationships and online documents rarely hold up when they’re tested. Documents that you find online can be problematic because you do not necessarily know whether they were written with Canadian laws in mind, whether it is the final version of the agreement, whether it was drafted recently or 10 years ago, and whether it was drafted for an entirely different industry. Your business is unique and finding an online template that perfectly aligns with your needs is next to impossible. We do not recommend using generic Master Service Agreements.

Do I need lawyer in my province?

Generally, no, you don’t need a local lawyer to draft a Master Services Agreement. Master Service Agreements can typically be used across the whole country. If your business has some nuance that requires local expertise, your lawyer will let you know and Goodlawyer can set you up with another lawyer who can help.

What file format will the Master Service Agreement be in?

Master Service Agreements are generally delivered as a PDF so that they can be easily shared, printed, and signed. They can also be delivered as a Word document. If that’s something you’re interested in, make sure you mention it to your lawyer. Your Statement of Work template will be delivered as a Word document.

Are there any resources to help me improve my business?

Yes! We have an extensive library of small business resources ranging from templates, small business tips and tricks, business law, contract law and intellectual property. Check out our blog!