Tutoring Services and Sales Agreement

What a good one includes

• A detailed description of the tutoring subjects, session formats (online or in-person), and whether prep time or learning materials are included in the rate.
• Clear payment terms specifying when fees are due, accepted payment methods, and any package expiration dates or late payment penalties.
• A strict cancellation and rescheduling policy that defines when a session is forfeited or billed in full, typically requiring 24 hours' notice.
• Parent and student responsibilities, including behavioral expectations, homework policies, and requiring a guardian's presence for minors during sessions.
• A late arrival policy stating that sessions will still end at the scheduled time and missed minutes will not be refunded or made up.
• Intellectual property clauses protecting your proprietary lesson plans, custom worksheets, and teaching materials from being shared or resold.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Leaving cancellation policies vague or too lenient, which leads to lost income and constant last-minute schedule disruptions.
• Failing to define communication hours and methods, resulting in parents texting or calling at late hours expecting instant homework help.
• Omitting liability and safety clauses, especially when tutoring minors in their homes or online without a parent nearby.
• Neglecting to set an expiration date on multi-session packages, allowing clients to claim unused hours months or years after purchase.

Frequently asked questions