How to Build Strong Relationships with Independent Contractors (6 Best Practices)

Building strong relationships with independent contractors helps ensure successful projects and long-term partnerships. Clear communication, well-defined expectations, and honesty create a solid foundation. When contractors know what’s expected and feel respected, they’re more likely to deliver great work—and look for opportunities to collaborate with you again.

Companies can build strong relationships with independent contractors by setting clear expectations, using contracts and scope of work documents, starting with smaller projects, and maintaining consistent communication.

Creating Great Relationships With Your Independent Contractors Starts Here

Organizations can establish successful relationships with independent contractors by following several key best practices:

1. Review Your Overall Project Goals

Establishing clear project goals helps ensure alignment and sets the foundation for a successful independent contractor relationship.

A successful client-independent contractor relationship starts with a clear Request for Proposal (RFP). Your RFP doesn’t have to be long or complicated—just clear enough to explain your project’s needs and include all the important details.

Before you write your RFP, have a chat with everyone involved in the project to make sure you cover all the requirements. Your RFP should explain the project’s scope but not be so detailed that it prevents the contractor from suggesting creative solutions.

2. Identify Key Skills and Experience in Your Ideal Candidates

Identifying the right skills and experience ensures you select independent contractors who can successfully meet your project needs.

When you review responses to your RFP, focus on how well each contractor can meet your project’s needs. Make sure the independent contractor you choose has the right knowledge, skills, and resources for the job. Consider whether the solution they propose fits your budget and current processes.

After you narrow down your choices, think about interviewing candidates in person and looking at samples of their work to ensure they’re a good fit for your project.

3. Use a Contract to Outline Your Relationship

Using a contract to outline your relationship helps set expectations and prevent misunderstandings with independent contractors.  A service contract is a formal agreement between you and the contractor that outlines things like start and end dates, as well as job responsibilities and requirements.

Creating the contract is also a great time to discuss any needed resources, limitations, and other partnership details. This helps ensure that everyone is on the same page and avoids misunderstandings later on.

4. Create a Scope of Work (SOW)

Creating a detailed scope of work (SOW) ensures clarity around deliverables, timelines, and responsibilities. When you write a Scope of Work, include details about your responsibilities, such as providing background materials, system access, and review timelines. It’s also a good idea to clearly outline shared responsibilities to keep the project running smoothly.

A well-defined SOW sets the stage for good communication, so take the time to discuss the details with the contractor. The document should explain exactly what the contractor will and won’t do, sets deadlines for deliverables, and define final expectations. This helps protect both your business and the contractor by making sure everyone is on the same page.

5. Start With Smaller Projects

Starting with smaller projects allows you to evaluate performance and build trust with independent contractors over time. You’ll be able to see how they work, how they communicate, and whether they meet deadlines reliably.

Finding the right contractor can take time, so testing with smaller projects can help you choose someone who has the right skills and works well with your team. Building a good working relationship early on creates a foundation of trust and makes collaboration on larger projects much smoother.

6. Communicate Regularly With Your Independent Contractors

Regular communication helps keep projects on track and strengthens relationships with independent contractors. Because contractors work independently, you can’t manage their schedule the way you would with an employee. That makes regular check-ins even more important to keep projects on track.

Setting up consistent touchpoints—like email updates, project check-ins, or weekly Zoom calls—helps keep communication open. These regular communications ensure that expectations are clear, deadlines stay on schedule, and there’s room to address questions or make adjustments as needed.

Building strong relationships with independent contractors requires clear expectations, structured agreements, and consistent communication to ensure successful outcomes.

Contractor Relationships FAQs

How do you build relationships with independent contractors?
You can build strong relationships by setting clear expectations, using contracts, defining scope of work, and maintaining regular communication.

Why is communication important with independent contractors?
Communication ensures expectations are clear, deadlines are met, and issues can be addressed early.

What should be included in a contractor agreement?
A contractor agreement should include responsibilities, timelines, deliverables, and payment terms.

Why start with smaller projects?
Starting with smaller projects allows you to evaluate a contractor’s performance and build trust before scaling the relationship.

MBO Partners Connects You With High-Value Independent Talent

If you’re looking for additional support attracting independent contractors to your organization, MBO Partners offers a wealth of tools and resources to help. We cover a wide range of topics, including employer branding, workforce compliance, contingent workforce management, and more.

Do you need help creating a successful contingent workforce management program? Contact MBO Partners and we can share how we’ve helped other companies across a variety of industries manage their independent workforce, including Agent of Record (AOR) services, Employer of Record (EOR) services, and other flexible workforce solutions.