# DJ contract template. A DJ contract should state the event date and hours, the overtime rate, load-in and setup time, what equipment and power you need, how song requests and a do-not-play list work, any MC duties, the venue's sound rules, and the deposit, cancellation and equipment damage terms. Copy the clauses below and have a lawyer review them. _Updated 2026-10-11._ ## Hours, setup and equipment. DJ SERVICES AGREEMENT. This agreement is between [Your DJ business name] ("DJ") and [Client name] ("Client"), dated [Date], for an event on [Event date] at [Venue name and address]. 1. Performance hours. DJ will perform from [Start time] to [End time], a total of [Number] hours. Music, announcements and any breaks are within these hours. DJ may take a break of up to [Number] minutes per [Number] hours with background music playing. 2. Overtime. If Client wants DJ to continue past the end time, DJ will stay for [Rate] per [hour / half hour] if available. Overtime must be agreed with DJ on the night and is billed on the final invoice. 3. Setup and load-in. DJ will arrive by [Setup time] and needs [Number] minutes to set up and test. Client will make sure DJ has access to the room and a place to load in by that time. If the venue delays access or sets a late load-in window, Client tells DJ before signing. 4. Equipment and power. DJ provides [sound system, speakers, mixer, microphones, lighting, backup equipment]. Client or venue provides [Number] dedicated power outlets within [Distance] of the setup area, a table of [Size] if DJ does not bring one, and [covered or indoor space] for the equipment. ## Music, MC duties and venue rules. 5. Music and requests. Client will give DJ a list of must-play songs and a do-not-play list by [Date]. DJ will honor both. DJ may take guest requests and decides whether to play them based on the mood and the event, and the Client's do-not-play list always comes first. Music is played from [licensed sources, streaming, own library] and DJ is responsible for [music licensing as applies to DJ]. 6. MC duties. DJ [will / will not] act as MC. If DJ is MC, DJ will make announcements from the timeline Client provides by [Date], including [introductions, toasts, first dance, cake cutting, last dance]. Client will name a person who confirms timing changes on the day. 7. Venue sound limits. Client will tell DJ about the venue's volume limits, noise curfew and rules on outside vendors before signing. DJ will follow the venue's reasonable directions and may lower the volume or end the event if the venue or authorities require it. This is not a breach and no refund is due for time the venue shuts down. 8. Conduct and guests. Client is responsible for guest behavior. DJ may stop work and leave if DJ or the equipment is threatened or guests interfere with the equipment after a warning. In that case the full fee is still due. ## Payment, cancellation and damage. 9. Fee and deposit. The total fee is [Total amount]. A deposit of [Deposit amount] is due when Client signs and holds the date only once the deposit and signed agreement are both received. The balance of [Balance amount] is due [Number] days before the event / on arrival. [Travel, parking or lodging] is [included / billed at [Amount]]. 10. Cancellation by Client. If Client cancels more than [Number] days before the event, DJ keeps the deposit. If Client cancels [Number] days or fewer before the event, Client owes [Amount or share of the total fee], because DJ turned away other work for the date. 11. Cancellation by DJ and backup. If DJ cannot perform because of illness, an emergency or another cause outside DJ's control, DJ will tell Client right away, will [arrange a qualified replacement DJ where possible], and will refund all payments for services not delivered. 12. Equipment damage. Client is responsible for damage to or loss of DJ's equipment caused by Client, guests or the venue, at repair or replacement cost, up to [Limit if any]. DJ is not responsible for damage to the venue except where DJ's own negligence caused it. 13. Liability. DJ is responsible for performing with reasonable care. DJ's total liability is limited to the fees Client paid. [DJ carries liability insurance, and a certificate is available on request.] 14. Entire agreement. This is the full agreement. Changes must be in writing and agreed by both. It is governed by the laws of [State]. Signed: [Client name], [Date]. [DJ name], [Date]. ## Make the timeline part of the deal, then have a lawyer review it. Attach the event timeline, the must-play and do-not-play lists, and the venue contact as an attachment and refer to them in clauses 5 and 6. If the venue has sound rules in writing, ask for a copy before you sign. Keep clauses 1 to 4 the same on your quote, contract and invoice, because overtime and setup time are where most DJ disputes start. This is a starting point, not a finished legal document. Music licensing, liability limits and cancellation fees are treated differently by state and by venue. Have a lawyer in your state review your final version once, then reuse it. This page is not legal advice. ## Get it signed before the deposit is paid. - Attach your contract to a package or quote so the client signs it before they pay. - Clients request a date from your packages and pay a deposit online, and the balance can be charged automatically. ## Questions **What should be in a DJ contract?** The date, venue and hours, overtime rate, setup and load-in time, equipment and power needs, song requests and do-not-play rules, MC duties, venue sound limits, fee, deposit, cancellation, equipment damage and liability. **How do I handle overtime in a DJ contract?** Set an hourly or half-hourly overtime rate and say it must be agreed on the night and is billed on the final invoice. Add that overtime depends on your availability and the venue's rules. **How should a DJ contract handle song requests?** Ask for a must-play list and a do-not-play list ahead of time and promise to follow both. Say you may take guest requests at your discretion and that the client's do-not-play list always comes first. **What happens if the venue shuts the music down early?** Include a clause that DJ follows the venue's volume limits and curfew, and that time lost to venue rules is not a breach or grounds for a refund. Ask the venue about sound rules before you sign. **Do I need a DJ contract for a private party?** Yes. Even a one-page agreement with the date, hours, fee, deposit and cancellation terms protects you when you hold a date and turn other work away. Keep a signed copy. ## Related - [Vendor contract template](https://bzar.app/templates/event-vendor-contract-template) - [Deposit and cancellation policy](https://bzar.app/templates/deposit-and-cancellation-policy-template) - [Package pricing calculator](https://bzar.app/tools/event-package-pricing-calculator) - [How DJs get more gigs](https://bzar.app/guides/dj-get-more-gigs)