Legal Services Price Quote

A legal price quote is not binding unless it is incorporated into a signed retainer agreement or explicitly stated as a guaranteed fixed fee. To protect your firm, the document should include clear disclaimer language indicating that the quote is an estimate subject to change based on new disclosures. This ensures you can adjust fees if the complexity of the case increases significantly.

A price quote is a preliminary proposal outlining estimated costs and the general scope of work to help a client make a hiring decision. In contrast, an engagement letter is the formal, legally binding contract that officially establishes the attorney-client relationship and governs all terms of representation. You should send the price quote first to secure agreement before drafting the more exhaustive engagement contract.

When a matter requires work outside the original scope, you must notify the client immediately before performing the task. Provide a written change order or a supplementary quote detailing the additional fees and obtain their signed approval. This proactive documentation prevents billing disputes and preserves the client relationship.

Flat fees are ideal for predictable, transactional work like basic estate planning or trademark filings because they offer clients cost certainty. For litigation or unpredictable disputes, you should provide an hourly rate quote alongside a realistic estimated range of hours for each stage of the case. This structure ensures your firm is fairly compensated if the matter becomes highly contested.