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Independent contractor hiring checklist

Independent contractor hiring checklist

Hiring an independent contractor is a good way to access specialised skills for your organisation on a flexible basis. That said, it’s important to follow a structured process so the working relationship is clearly defined and you meet legal requirements.

Use the checklist below to guide you through hiring and managing independent contractors and to establish a clear, legally compliant working relationship.

1. Define the scope of work

  • Identify the project or tasks: Set out, in clear terms, the work you want the contractor to carry out.

  • Set project timelines: Specify the start date, key deadlines and the anticipated completion date.

  • Specify deliverables: Detail the expected outcomes, products or services the contractor must deliver.

2. Determine contractor status

  • Verify classification: Check the worker satisfies the legal criteria for independent contractor status in your jurisdiction.

  • Prevent misclassification: Take care not to dictate how the contractor carries out the work, as that may result in employee classification.

3. Budget and payment terms

  • Prepare a budget for the project or task.

  • Agree payment terms and decide if you will pay hourly, per project, or by another method.

  • Establish a payment schedule: Define payment milestones—upfront, on completion of specific tasks, or at the project’s end.

4. Draft a contract

Prepare a written contract that sets out the engagement terms and key provisions, for example:

  • Scope and nature of work

  • Payment terms

  • Deadlines

  • Confidentiality and non-disclosure

  • Intellectual property rights and ownership

  • Termination clause

Check with legal counsel to confirm the contract complies with applicable laws.

5. Obtain necessary documentation

  • Proof of insurance (if applicable)

  • Portfolio or references

6. Establish communication protocols

  • Primary contact: Appoint a main point of contact inside your organisation.

  • Communication tools: Agree which communication methods to use

  • Schedule regular check-ins to monitor progress.

7. Onboard the contractor

  • Give access to the tools, software or platforms the contractor needs.

  • Provide a short orientation to your company’s processes, culture and expectations.

  • Make sure the contractor understands and follows your company security protocols.

8. Monitor progress and quality

  • Regular updates

  • Quality checks

  • Provide feedback

9. Finalise and close out the project

  • Review deliverables

  • Make final payment

A single platform to hire and manage contractors compliantly

Hiring international contractors is a practical way to assemble a mission-driven team regardless of location, and Remote simplifies the process.

Remote’s contractor management services help you hire, pay and manage contractors worldwide so you can focus on growing your business. With Remote you can:

  • Provide straightforward onboarding for contractors

  • Manage contractor agreements with the platform’s in-built custom contracts

  • Ensure compliance with local employment law and tax requirements

  • Protect your intellectual property

  • Process contractor payments quickly and in the correct currency

Find out more about our contractor management services, or if you’re starting to onboard contractors, sign up today.