A Software Development Subcontractor Agreement is a contract between a subcontractor and the general contractor who hires them for software development services. The agreement goes over the terms of their employment, including a breakdown of the duties the software developer will be expected to fulfill and the compensation the contractor will be expected to offer.
This document is legal and an enforceable way to hold both parties accountable to their agreement. Knowing what goes into a software development subcontractor agreement is essential so that your contract is comprehensive and protects your rights.
Your Agreement Should Include:
- A description of the work that the subcontractor will be expected to perform.
- A breakdown of the compensation owed, as well as how they will be paid.
- The length of the agreement and any terms that might lead to termination.
- Names, locations, and signatures from the subcontractor and general contractor.
When to Use
A subcontractor agreement should be used when you hire a software developer on a temporary basis or when you work with a contractor long-term, but do not make the developer a permanent part of your team.
This type of agreement is necessary to detail the terms of their employment, whether they will be working on front-end development, back-end development, or taking on a versatile full-stack development role.
By using a subcontractor agreement, you can ensure that both parties are aware of their responsibilities and obligations and that the project is completed successfully and in a timely manner.
Hiring Software Development Subcontractors
You may need software developers for a large or specialized project. Here are some elements to consider when subcontracting:
Types
There are many different types of software development subcontractors. Some specializations include:
- Front-end: Software developers who specialize in the visible part of the software, including the user interface/user experience (UI/UX) design
- Back-end: Developers who handle the code on the server side of a software program, including databases and functions
- Full-stack: Versatile developers who work on both the front end and back end of a software program
- Machine learning: Developers who specialize in training machine learning or AI systems for a software program
- Data scientist: Developers who specialize in storing and analyzing data
- CRM: Developers who focus on storing customer data and interacting with customers or meeting their needs
Common Services
There are several services that software development subcontractors can tackle, including:
- Website development
- Mobile app development
- Game development
- Security systems development
- Customer relationship management (CRM)
Certification
No software development subcontractor certifications are legally required on a federal, state, or regional level. There are voluntary certifications a software developer can take that speak to their expertise and may make them a more appealing hire.
For instance, a CIW Web Development Professional certification includes three exams covering different elements of web development. Those who pass can be trusted to be skilled, experienced web developers.
Software Development Subcontractor Agreement Sample
Download our free software development subcontractor agreement template, available in both PDF and Word:
