Template $7

Freelancer Client Vetting Checklist

Most bad clients show their warning signs before you accept. This checklist makes sure you see them.

Get the checklist →
The problem

Bad clients signal early — if you're watching

Unpaid invoices are the most common financial problem freelancers report. The vast majority of clients who don't pay displayed clear warning signs before the project started — signs that seemed minor at the time or were rationalized away.

Pressure to start without a contract. Resistance to paying a deposit. Vague answers about who has final approval authority. Generic email domains for what claims to be a legitimate business. These signals are predictable and consistent across industries.

The problem is that freelancers, especially early in their careers, don't have a systematic way to evaluate them before saying yes.

How it works

Step by step

  1. When a new client approaches, open the checklist before responding.
  2. Fill in the Client Info tab with the basic details of who is approaching and what they want.
  3. Work through the 20 Red Flags — answer Yes or No honestly for each one. Yes means a flag is triggered.
  4. The Risk Score calculates automatically: 0-3 flags = Green (proceed with standard contract), 4-7 = Amber (proceed with full deposit and milestone payments only), 8+ = Red (walk away).
  5. Use the Key Questions tab to record their answers to the 16 questions you should ask before accepting.
  6. Check the Risk Summary tab for your final verdict.
Who it's for

Freelancers and independent contractors

Anyone who takes on paid work independently and wants a structured way to evaluate whether a new client is likely to pay, respect boundaries, and communicate clearly.

What's included
  • 6-sheet Excel workbook
  • 20 red flags in 3 categories
  • Automatic risk scoring (Green / Amber / Red)
  • 16 key questions to ask with space for their answers
  • Risk Summary tab
  • How to Use guide with freelancer resources
  • Works in Excel and Google Sheets

Ten minutes of vetting now. Zero hours chasing invoices later.

A good client will answer every question. A bad one will tell you something in how they respond to being asked.

Get the checklist ($7) →

One-time download · No account required · Excel & Google Sheets