The short answer
Private tutoring runs on goodwill until a parent cancels at the last minute or a block of lessons goes unpaid. Put the schedule, the fee, how lessons are paid for, and your cancellation policy in writing, and get it signed before the first lesson.
What to agree before the job
- The subject, level, and how often and how long lessons are
- Where lessons happen: online, at your place or theirs
- The fee per lesson or per block, and when it's paid
- Cancellation notice, and whether a late-cancelled lesson is charged
- Materials, resources and any exam entry fees
- Who the agreement is with: usually the parent, not the student
- How either side ends the arrangement
Which AgreeVia documents fit
- Freelance Services Agreement: the services, the fee (fixed, daily or hourly), intellectual property and confidentiality. For a private client it adds the 14-day right to cancel. Free
- Invoice: bill the finished job, with the VAT worked out to the penny and your bank details on it
How it works
- Fill it in on your phoneAnswer a few plain questions, or type the items into a quote. You see a preview before anything is created.
- Add who signsPick them from your contacts, or type their email address and AgreeVia sends them a link.
- They sign without an accountThey open it in their browser, read it and sign with a finger. No app to install.
- Everyone keeps a copyThe signed PDF goes to everyone. Every view and signature is in a tamper-evident audit trail you can check at agreevia.co.uk/verify.
Proof, if there's a dispute
Every view and signature is recorded with a time stamp in a tamper-evident audit trail. If someone remembers the deal differently, you have the signed document, a record of when they opened and signed it, and an evidence package you can generate. AgreeVia doesn't give legal advice, and it doesn't take payments: your bank details go on the invoice and your customer pays you directly.
FAQs for tutors
Parents are private clients. Does the agreement cover that?
Yes. Tell the Freelance Services Agreement your client is a private person and it adds their 14-day right to cancel and the cancellation form. If they want lessons to start sooner, they can ask for that when they sign.
Is it free?
Yes. The Freelance Services Agreement and invoices are on the free plan, which gives you 3 documents a month.
Does my customer need to download anything?
No. They get a link, open it in their phone or computer's browser, and sign. They don't need an account or the app, and they get the signed PDF by email.
Is an electronic signature legally valid in the UK?
For everyday business documents like quotes, job agreements and invoices, yes, as long as the person meant to sign. Some documents, such as wills and some deeds, have stricter rules. See Are electronic signatures legal in the UK?
Try it on your next job
Free for 3 documents a month, no card needed. Already have an account? Sign in. AgreeVia works in your browser and is live on Google Play. Coming soon to the App Store.