What is the purpose of a statement of work?

It defines what will be delivered, when, and under what conditions to reduce ambiguity.

How detailed should acceptance criteria be?

Detailed enough that a third party could objectively determine whether a deliverable meets requirements.

What belongs in a change-order clause?

Approval steps, pricing method, timeline impact, and documentation expectations.

Can a vague SOW delay payment?

Yes. If completion is subjective, invoice approval can stall.

Should SOW and master agreement be aligned?

Yes. Conflicts between documents create enforcement and interpretation risk.

Is legal review necessary for SOWs?

For complex or high-value engagements, legal review can prevent costly disputes.

statement of work red flags

Statement Of Work Red Flags (SOW Checklist)

A weak SOW causes scope creep, delayed payment, and conflict. This checklist helps you tighten language before work starts.

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Fast, plain-English contract red-flag checks

Speed

Scan key clauses quickly before signing.

Clarity

Plain-English summaries, not dense legalese.

Action

Get negotiation questions before you commit.

Common red flags in this document type

Deliverables listed without measurable acceptance criteria.

No assumption list for client dependencies.

Timeline promises without milestones.

Out-of-scope work not explicitly defined.

No change-order method or rates.

Payment schedule disconnected from milestones.

Support obligations not time-bound.

No ownership clarity for drafts and final assets.

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Deliverables listed without measurable acceptance criteria.

May create hidden negotiation, compliance, or enforcement risk after signing.

What Don't Sign Yet checks

Think of this as your pre-sign safety scan: fast, practical, and built for real contracts.

✅ Scope

✅ Milestones

✅ Acceptance

✅ Dependencies

✅ Change orders

✅ Payment

✅ Ownership

What you'll get

Risk snapshot

Risk summary in plain English so you can scan the contract fast.

Clause spotlight

Severity labels for each issue so you can prioritize negotiation points.

Plain-English summary

Clause snippets so you can see the exact text that triggered a flag.

What to ask next

Why it matters notes focused on practical risk, timeline, and cost.

Negotiation prep

Questions to ask before signing so you can pressure-test unclear terms.

Decision confidence

A quick confidence check before sharing with your attorney for legal advice.

Why this helps: You get clarity fast, then decide whether to negotiate, pause, or bring in an attorney with better context.

How it works

1Upload the contract

Drop in your file and start a free preview in seconds.

PDF or DOCX upload with no long setup.

2Review flagged clauses

See red flags, snippets, and severity labels in plain English.

We surface the exact text that deserves attention.

3Ask better questions

Use the summary to negotiate confidently before signing.

Walk into the conversation with clear follow-ups.

What you see

Clear flags, clause snippets, and plain-English explanations.

What you do next

Ask better questions, negotiate faster, and sign with more confidence.

No legal jargon maze. No long wait. Just a fast confidence check before you sign.

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FAQ

💡 Quick answers for panic searches before signing

Ready to check this contract before you sign?

Start with a free preview to see red flags, clause snippets, and practical questions to ask.

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Educational information only. Do not rely on this as legal advice. Don't Sign Yet is not a law firm. Consult a licensed attorney for legal advice.