Home Blog What Is the Cost to Have a Legal Document Drafted?

What Is the Cost to Have a Legal Document Drafted?

This page explains the average cost of drafting a legal document, based on recent projects completed by lawyers on the ContractsCounsel platform.

Jump to Section

How much does it cost to draft a legal document?

So, you need a legal document drafted. If you are like most people, the first question you had once you discovered this need was:

“How much is this going to cost me?” “What are the document preparation fees?”

Given the reputation lawyers have for charging steep prices, this is a reasonable question to ask.

Let’s take a look at the cost of drafting a contract and all of the preparation fees.

How much does it cost to draft an agreement?

Contract drafting and preparation fees can vary depending on a lot of different factors. Some of those factors are:

  • Types of agreement needing to be drafted
  • Years of experience of the lawyer you hired
  • Location of the lawyer you hired
  • How complex the terms of the agreement are
  • How quickly you need the document drafted
  • Size of the transaction the document will be used for

ContractsCounsel’s platform is a marketplace to draft agreements with lawyers, so we collect a lot of cost data for legal fees, many of which are flat fee contract drafting costs. Below are some average price points from across all US states to review to give you a sense of what things costs:

Common Business Agreements:

Common Personal Documents:

The above price points are based on hundreds of matters each and averaged across the US. These rates may vary for you depending on the above factors, but should serve as a general guide for flat fee contract drafting fees and what lawyers charge.

Factors That Determine the Cost of Drafting a Contract

Below, we go into further detail about the factors that determine the cost to drafting a contract or legal document:

  • Consultation Fee: Many lawyers will charge for the consultation. In some cases, this is their standard hourly rate, while others may set a special flat fee. Others still offer consults for free.
  • Years of Experience: The more experience a contract lawyer has, the better they are at their job. But those years don’t come for free. More experienced lawyers generally charge higher fees.
  • Complexity: If your document is something simple and straightforward, you can expect the costs to be lower than if it is highly complex and difficult to draft.
  • Communication: If your contract lawyer must go back and forth with you to clarify elements and get your feedback, you can expect this to increase the cost.
  • Revision: If you get the document and decide there are changes you would like to have made, this will likely increase the overall cost of the document.
  • Location: Contract lawyers in major metropolitan areas tend to charge more than those in rural and suburban settings. Even the building they are in can impact cost.
  • Firm: If the lawyer works for a firm, that will impact the bottom line. Firms often set prices based on their collective experience, overhead, and prestige.
  • Turnaround Time: If you’re on a tight timeframe, a lawyer may charge a premium so prioritize your work over another clients.
  • Size of Transaction: Given lawyers carry insurance policies, they will often adjust their rates to reflect the size of the transaction. They are absorbing liability by handling your matter, so the total bill may be reflective of how much liability they are taking on.

Keeping Costs Down

Hearing all of this, it might sound like you should expect having a legal document drafted to break the bank. But that isn’t necessarily the case.

There are some things you can do to keep preparation fees down. These include:

  • Looking for contract lawyers that offer free consultations.
  • Outlining the document in advance, so it is clear to the preparer what you are looking for, reducing the back and forth.
  • Selecting a lawyer offering flat fee contract drafting rather than an hourly rate.
  • Looking outside of big cities for a contract attorney.
  • Choosing a lawyer who isn’t with a firm and is a solo practitioner. They will not have the same overhead a firm lawyer will have.
  • Negotiate the number of revisions you will get before starting work. This will minimize additional costs.
  • When providing feedback, make sure to do a thorough job and to not send peace mill. Limiting the back and forth between you and the lawyer will reduce costs.
  • Get competitive quotes. Use an online marketplace like ContractsCounsel to get competitive quotes from lawyers for you to compare. Some lawyers may not be busy at the time and be willing to provide a competitive rate to win your work.

Keep Preparation Fees Low with ContractsCounsel

Make the search easier by connecting with a contract lawyer near you through ContractsCounsel.

As a boutique marketplace, we vet all lawyers on our platform before their profiles go live.

Get free quotes from multiple attorneys, then work with the one who is the best fit for you.


ContractsCounsel is not a law firm, and this post should not be considered and does not contain legal advice. To ensure the information and advice in this post are correct, sufficient, and appropriate for your situation, please consult a licensed attorney. Also, using or accessing ContractsCounsel's site does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and ContractsCounsel.


Meet some of our Lawyers

D. Cassie B. on ContractsCounsel
View D. Cassie
5.0 (1)
Member Since:
September 7, 2023

D. Cassie B.

Managing Attorney
Free Consultation
Riverview, FL
17 Yrs Experience
Licensed in FL
University of Miami School of Law

Cassie Bermudez Engel is a seasoned family law attorney with over a decade of litigation experience across Florida. She focuses her practice on divorce, custody and timesharing, alimony, child support, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, and post-judgment enforcement and modification. Cassie has served as lead counsel in thousands of cases and has represented clients in matters ranging from amicable settlements to high-conflict litigation. Before founding her own practice, Cassie honed her skills at boutique family law firms, served in-house for major insurance carriers, and was a partner at a nationwide law firm. She brings a strategic, results-driven approach to every case, with a particular focus on protecting her clients’ financial interests and guiding them through some of life’s most challenging transitions. Cassie is known for her clear communication, compassionate advocacy, and unwavering commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for her clients.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Working with Cassie was great! Not only did she stay on budget and was very responsive, but she completed the job on time. Cassie took her time to answer all of my questions and was a pleasure to work with. Would recommend!"

Matt B. on ContractsCounsel
View Matt
5.0 (12)
Member Since:
September 8, 2023

Matt B.

Partner
Free Consultation
Coral Gables, FLorida
26 Yrs Experience
Licensed in FL, NY
University of Miami School of Law (JD)

Matt practices law in the areas of commercial finance, contract law, business & corporate law, and residential and commercial real estate (with a particular emphasis on retail shopping centers and office buildings). He has extensive experience in negotiating and structuring complex commercial loan, asset acquisition, asset disposition, leasing and real estate transactions. Matt additionally works on various general matters for clients such as forming LLCs and corporations, preparing various LLC and corporation documents and drafting and reviewing various types of contracts and agreements for clients and providing advice regarding same. Matt provides clients with extensive and timely communication on their matters and ensures that his clients are well represented and highly satisfied with their legal representation and the work product provided. Matt offers all potential clients a free initial consultation to discuss their legal matters prior to engaging his firm to represent them. Prior to opening his law firm Matt worked for many years in the New York City office of a large international law firm where he counseled large multi-national businesses, financial institutions, investment groups and individuals on highly sophisticated business, financial and real estate transactions. Matt provides his clients with diligent legal representation on their matters with a very personal approach.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Mr Bales is a true professional. Great representation and will use his services again. Jim"

Chris D. on ContractsCounsel
View Chris
5.0 (11)
Member Since:
September 11, 2023

Chris D.

Family, Estate, and Contracts Lawyer
Free Consultation
Los Angeles. California
18 Yrs Experience
Licensed in CA
Southwestern Law School

With over 15 years of legal experience, I was admitted to the bar in 2008 and have since cultivated a diverse legal background. My expertise spans family law, estate planning, healthcare regulatory matters, and business law. I have a particular knack for crafting meticulous contracts. My approach is client-centric, ensuring that every individual receives personalized, knowledgeable guidance tailored to their unique situation. Partner with me, and let's navigate the complexities of the law together. www.downslawla.com

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Chris is an awesome and professional attorney! I was in a hurry and it is appreciated that the prenup can be reviewed in a quick time. Strongly recommendation!"

Sashi S. on ContractsCounsel
View Sashi
Member Since:
September 7, 2023

Sashi S.

Corporate Counsel
Free Consultation
Pittsburgh, PA
20 Yrs Experience
Licensed in PA
University of Pittsburgh School of Law

Credible history in navigating complex legal landscapes to deliver strategic solutions that optimize employee benefits programs and healthcare compliance. Demonstrated mastery in interpreting and applying ERISA, HIPAA, and ACA regulations, safeguarding client interests, and minimizing legal risks. Remarkable background in advising diverse clientele, ranging from corporations to healthcare providers, on intricate regulatory frameworks, compliance strategies, and litigation support. Adept at crafting innovative strategies, providing expert guidance, and driving compliance with unwavering precision. Skilled in leveraging unique skill set that combines medical knowledge and technological proficiency to address multifaceted challenges at intersection of healthcare and technology. Exceptional project management skills with track record of contributing to high-impact initiatives. Accomplished in drafting and negotiating contracts, mitigating legal risks, and streamlining processes.

Paola R. on ContractsCounsel
View Paola
Member Since:
September 7, 2023
Matthew K. on ContractsCounsel
View Matthew
Member Since:
September 8, 2023

Matthew K.

Business, IP & Privacy Attorney
Free Consultation
New York, NY
21 Yrs Experience
Licensed in NY
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Law School

I am a seasoned attorney specializing in data privacy, information security, and intellectual property law, with over 19 years of experience. As a Certified Information Privacy Professional, I provide strategic legal counsel to organizations navigating the complexities of data protection, compliance, and technology transactions. My extensive background includes working with both public and private sector clients, contributing to academia as a subject matter expert, and serving in leadership roles within influential legal organizations. This combination of practical, academic, and leadership experience enables me to deliver tailored solutions that align with business objectives and mitigate legal risks. Expertise: I have a proven track record of drafting, negotiating, and advising on a wide range of agreements and legal documentation, including: Data Law & Privacy: - Privacy Policies compliant with GDPR, CCPA, and other regulations - Information Security Policies and Documentation - Data Processing Agreements (DPAs) - Incident Response Plans and Data Breach Protocols - eDiscovery Protocols and Legal Hold Documentation Technology Transactions: - Software Development Agreements (including Mobile Apps) - SaaS and Subscription Agreements - IP Licensing and Royalty Agreements - Technology Outsourcing and Cloud Service Agreements Corporate & Commercial Agreements: - Master Services Agreements (MSAs) - Joint Venture Agreements - Non-Disclosure and Confidentiality Agreements - Real Estate Purchase & Sale Agreements - Loan Agreements and Financial Documentation Employment & Operations: - Employee Handbooks and Workplace Policies - Employment Contracts - Supply Chain and Logistics Agreements Creative & Digital Content: - Sponsorship Agreements - Digital Creator and Influencer Agreements - E-Commerce Terms & Conditions My approach is centered on delivering results that protect my clients' interests while facilitating innovation and growth. Whether advising startups, established corporations, or creative professionals, I leverage my deep understanding of data-driven industries to craft agreements that address current needs and anticipate future challenges. If you’re seeking a responsive, detail-oriented legal partner with a focus on data law and cutting-edge technology, I’d be delighted to assist with your next project.

Connie M. on ContractsCounsel
View Connie
Member Since:
September 8, 2023

Connie M.

Copyright Lawyer
Free Consultation
Phoenix, AZ, United States
43 Yrs Experience
Licensed in AZ
Gonzaga University - J.D.

Copyright, trademark, and intellectual property contracts and licenses. General Business contracts. Practical and comprehensive advice and contract drafting in an efficient, no-nonsense manner. She routinely represents clients needing copyright, trademark, and intellectual property contracts and licenses in the book publishing industry, music publishing, and all aspects of art and entertainment. She has represented both sides of the table - creators and authors and corporations and businesses. After 40 years of experience she has seen most business models and structures and has worked with many general contracts in different industries.

Nathan C. on ContractsCounsel
View Nathan
Member Since:
September 11, 2023

Nathan C.

Attorney
Free Consultation
Lancaster, PA
19 Yrs Experience
Licensed in PA
University of Nebraska

I have 14 years civil litigation experience. My practice has included personal injury litigation, contract review, criminal law, family law, and estate planning.

Opeoluwa O. on ContractsCounsel
View Opeoluwa
Member Since:
September 11, 2023

Opeoluwa O.

Business Lawyer
Free Consultation
Oklahoma
6 Yrs Experience
Licensed in OK
University of Oklahoma College of Law

I am a seasoned lawyer from Tulsa, Oklahoma. I have a passion for the intricacies of business law, and I have a specialized focus in assisting personal, real estate, and medical marijuana businesses in navigating the complex legal landscape and drafting various transactional documents, such as operating agreements, purchase contracts, real estate contracts, and many more.

Find the best lawyer for your project

Browse Lawyers Now

Quick, user friendly and one of the better ways I've come across to get ahold of lawyers willing to take new clients.

View Trustpilot Review

Need help with a legal contract?

Post Your Project

Get Free Bids to Compare

Hire Your Lawyer

CONTRACT LAWYERS BY TOP CITIES
See All Business Lawyers

Contracts Counsel was incredibly helpful and easy to use. I submitted a project for a lawyer's help within a day I had received over 6 proposals from qualified lawyers. I submitted a bid that works best for my business and we went forward with the project.

View Trustpilot Review

I never knew how difficult it was to obtain representation or a lawyer, and ContractsCounsel was EXACTLY the type of service I was hoping for when I was in a pinch. Working with their service was efficient, effective and made me feel in control. Thank you so much and should I ever need attorney services down the road, I'll certainly be a repeat customer.

View Trustpilot Review

I got 5 bids within 24h of posting my project. I choose the person who provided the most detailed and relevant intro letter, highlighting their experience relevant to my project. I am very satisfied with the outcome and quality of the two agreements that were produced, they actually far exceed my expectations.

View Trustpilot Review

How It Works

Post Your Project

Get Free Bids to Compare

Hire Your Lawyer

Want to speak to someone?

Get in touch below and we will schedule a time to connect!

Request a call

Find lawyers and attorneys by city