A kill fee is a fee paid to a freelancer when a project is cancelled or terminated before completion. It compensates the freelancer for the work they have already done and the time they have invested in the project.
For example, if a freelancer is hired to write a series of articles for a website and the website decides to cancel the project after the freelancer has already completed some of the work, the freelancer may be entitled to a kill fee.
The amount of a kill fee is usually negotiated in advance and included in the freelancer's contract. The percentage of the total project fee that the kill fee represents can vary depending on the industry and the specific project. In some cases, the kill fee may be a flat rate rather than a percentage of the total project fee.
It's important for freelancers to include a kill fee clause in their contracts to protect themselves in case a project is cancelled or terminated early.
If a freelancer is not paid a kill fee that they believe they are entitled to, they should first review their contract to ensure that the kill fee clause was included and that they have fulfilled all of the requirements outlined in the contract.
If the freelancer believes they are still entitled to a kill fee, they may need to take legal action to recover the fee. This could involve hiring a lawyer or filing a claim in small claims court, depending on the amount of the fee and the laws in their jurisdiction.
It's important for freelancers to protect themselves by including a kill fee clause in their contracts and ensuring that all parties involved understand the terms of the agreement.