Templates / Video Editor

Video Editor scope of work template

Video editors get killed by "small tweaks". Swap this clip, try another song, can we see a version with captions, actually go back to v2. Every export is time. Write down the cut count and what a revision is.

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Scope of work

[Project name]: YouTube video editing package

Video Editor: [Your name]Client: [Client name]Date: [Date]

Deliverables

[4] edited videos per month, up to [12] minutes final length each
Cuts, pacing, basic color correction, audio cleanup
Captions burned in or as SRT file
One thumbnail-ready still frame per video
Delivery as 1080p MP4 via [Drive / Frame.io]

Revisions

2 rounds of revisions per video, feedback sent as one list with timestamps. Re-cutting from new footage is a new edit.

Not included (out of scope)

Motion graphics or custom animation beyond simple text
Extra formats (Shorts, Reels, 9:16 versions)
Licensed music, stock footage or paid plugins
Script writing, thumbnail design, channel management
Rush delivery under 48 hours

Anything not listed under Deliverables is out of scope. If you want it, I will send a short change order with the price and the timeline impact. Work on it starts once you approve.

Timeline

Footage received by Monday
First cut by Thursday
Revisions within 48 hours of feedback

Dates assume feedback within 2 working days. Late feedback moves the dates by the same amount.

Payment

Monthly package paid upfront. Extra videos and add-ons billed as approved change orders.

Approval

Client approval

Date

Template from Scopease, scope locking for freelancers

A Google Doc doesn't stop anyone. In Scopease the client approves this scope through one private link, every extra ask becomes a priced change order, and the invoice builds itself from approved work. Free for your first project. First 10 new signups get 6 months of Pro free, automatically.

Start free Have us set it up for you ($79)

The scope creep every video editor hears

"Can you also cut 3 Shorts from this?"

Why it is not free: Reframing to 9:16, new hooks, new captions. That is three new edits.

How to price it: Per Short fee.

"Can we try a completely different vibe?"

Why it is not free: A new style is a new edit, not a revision.

How to price it: New edit fee, or hourly.

"Need this by tonight, sorry!"

Why it is not free: Rush jobs push your other clients. Rush has a price.

How to price it: Rush fee, usually 25% to 50% on top.

Turn the next ask into a change order

Here is one already filled in for a typical video editor job: cut 3 vertical shorts (9:16) from video 2 with captions, 4 hours at $40/hour. Change the numbers to yours and send it.

Open this change order (free)

Not sure what the freebies already cost you? Run your numbers in the scope creep calculator.

Questions

What should a video editor scope of work include?

The exact deliverables, how many revision rounds and what counts as a round, a clear out of scope list, the timeline, and payment terms. The out of scope list does most of the work when the client asks for extras.

How do video editors handle scope creep without losing the client?

Point back to the approved scope, then send a short change order with the price and the new date. Start the extra work only after the client approves it. Most clients are fine with it when it is written down from day one.

Is this template free to use?

Yes. Copy it, edit it, send it. No signup. It is not legal advice, so for big contracts have a lawyer look at your terms.

Templates for other freelancers

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