Dubsado Contracts: How to Set Them Up and Save Time
TL;DR: Dubsado contracts let you collect e-signatures from clients without chasing anyone down. You can connect a contract directly to a proposal so clients sign right after selecting a package, and use smart fields to pull client and project information in automatically. Here's how to set all of it up.
If you're still copying and pasting client details into contracts manually, or sending contracts as separate PDFs over email, Dubsado has a much easier way to handle this.
Contracts in Dubsado are built right into the platform, so clients can review and sign without leaving their portal. And once you set up smart fields, most of the information fills in on its own.
If you're still getting your Dubsado account set up, grab my free Dubsado 101 checklist first. Then come back here for the contracts setup.
Disclaimer: This post covers how to use Dubsado's contract features, not how to write contract clauses. For the legal side of your contracts, always consult an attorney.
Video tutorial
Prefer to follow along visually? Watch the step-by-step walkthrough below.
How to create a contract in Dubsado
There are two ways to get started:
1. Start from scratch: Click the + sign beside the contracts column to create a new blank contract and add your own clauses and content.
2. Use a template from the Dubsado library: Go to the Template Library at the top left of your forms screen, select a contract template for your industry or offer, and edit it to fit your business.
For styling, I keep contracts simple. The goal is for clients to actually read the clauses, so I add a banner at the top with a logo and the contract title and leave it at that.
How to connect a contract to a proposal in Dubsado
Connecting a contract to a proposal means clients are taken directly to the contract to sign as soon as they submit their proposal. No separate email needed, no extra steps for them.
This works when all the packages in your proposal use the same contract. If you have different contracts for different packages, check whether smart fields can help you combine them into one. If not, you'll need to send the contract manually or apply a workflow manually to the project.
To connect a contract to a proposal:
Go to your proposal form → Form settings → Proposal options
Toggle on ‘Include contract’
Select the contract from the dropdown list
Save your form
How to use smart fields in a Dubsado contract
Smart fields are one of the most underused features in Dubsado, and they make a real difference once you start using them.
A smart field is a placeholder in your contract that Dubsado replaces with actual client or project information. Instead of typing a client's name, address, or package details into every contract manually, Dubsado pulls it in automatically.
Dubsado has a long list of available smart fields. Before you start adding them, think through how each piece of information will make its way into the project:
Can the client provide it through a lead capture form
Can they provide it through a proposal?
Is it something you'll need to enter manually?
If the client is providing it, you'll need to collect it through a form and connect that question to a mapped field so Dubsado knows what to do with the answer.
How to add mapped fields in Dubsado forms
Mapped fields are how you tell Dubsado what a form answer represents. Only short answer and date select elements support mapped fields, so dropdowns, checkboxes, and free response fields won't work here.
To create a mapped field, add a short answer to your form and select the appropriate option from the Field Mapping dropdown in that element's settings.
Example: collecting a client's address for the contract
Instead of typing the address into each contract yourself, ask for it in your proposal form. Add these short answer questions with the following field mappings:
Address: add this as a short answer and select 'Address Line 1' from the field mapping drop down list (see image).
City: add this as a short answer and select 'City' from the field mapping drop down list.
State: add this as a short answer and select 'State / Province' from the field mapping drop down list.
Zip Code: add this as a short answer and select 'Zip / Postal' from the field mapping drop down list.
You can also ask for Country or Address Line 2 if needed.
Connecting a short answer field to a mapped field in Dubsado so the client's address can be pulled into contracts automatically.
Once a client fills this in, Dubsado stores it in their project. You can then pull it into contracts, emails, and other forms using smart fields without touching it again.
How to add smart fields in a Dubsado contract
Once your mapped fields are set up, place the corresponding smart field wherever you want that information to appear in your contract.
For a client's full address, use: {{client.address | address : true}}
This pulls address line 1, address line 2, city, state, zip, and country into a single line automatically.
For package and invoice details, use: {{job.invoice | invoiceItemNamesDesc}}
This pulls the line item names from the invoice along with a bulleted description of each item. It means you don't need a separate contract for every offer you have. One contract with smart fields can cover multiple packages cleanly.
Check Dubsado's smart field reference guide for the full list of what's available.
Frequently asked questions about Dubsado contracts
Can I use my own contract in Dubsado?
Yes. You can create a blank contract template and paste in your own clauses and content. If you already have a contract written, just copy it in and format it within Dubsado's form builder.
Do clients need a Dubsado account to sign a contract?
No. Clients receive a link and can review and sign the contract without creating an account.
Can I require a contract signature before payment?
Yes. When you connect a contract to a proposal, clients sign the contract as part of the same flow. You can also set up your workflow so the invoice is sent after the contract is signed.
What happens if a client doesn't sign the contract?
Dubsado doesn't automatically follow up, but you can add a workflow trigger to send a reminder email if the contract hasn't been signed after a certain amount of time.
Can I see when a client has signed the contract?
Yes. Dubsado logs when the contract was viewed and signed, and you can see this in the client's project.
Do I need a different contract for each package I offer?
Not necessarily. Smart fields like {{job.invoice | invoiceItemNamesDesc}} can pull in package-specific details automatically, which means one contract template can often cover multiple offers.
Need help with your Dubsado setup?
Getting contracts set up properly is one part of a fully connected Dubsado system. If you want your proposals, contracts, invoices, and workflows all working together, I can help with a done-for-you setup. Book a free discovery call to talk through what you need.