# Simple or Complex? Which Flat-Fee Contract Tier Fits Your Agreement

> Not sure whether you need a $399 review, a $699 new contract, or a $999 complex contract? Here is how to tell which flat-fee tier fits your agreement.

URL: https://www.2hlaw.com/2026/08/26/which-flat-fee-contract-tier-does-your-agreement-need/
Published: 2026-08-26

If someone else wrote the contract and you just need to understand it and push back on bad terms, the $399 Contract Review fits. If you need a new, fairly standard agreement drafted, the $699 New Contract tier usually fits. If the deal involves multiple parties or documents, heavily negotiated terms, an ownership agreement, or industry regulation, it is likely a $999 Complex Contract.

Flat fees take the guesswork out of legal costs, but only if you know which tier to choose. Most people can tell right away whether they need a review or a new document. The harder question is whether a new agreement is simple or complex.

This guide explains what each tier includes, the signs that point to one or the other, and what happens if you are not sure.

## What are the three flat-fee contract tiers?

Our [flat-fee contract service](https://www.2hlaw.com/flat-fee-contracts/) has three tiers, each with a price set in writing before any work begins:

- Contract Review, $399: an attorney reads the agreement, gives you a plain-English summary of the key terms, risks, and red flags, marks up a tracked-changes redline, and walks you through it on a short call.
- New Contract, $699: an attorney drafts the agreement from a short intake, provides one round of revisions, and includes a plain-English summary of each section, so you end up with a ready-to-sign document.
- Complex Contract, $999: everything in the New Contract tier, for agreements that involve multiple parties or documents, extensive custom and negotiated terms, partnership, operating, or shareholder agreements, or regulatory and industry-specific requirements, with two rounds of revisions.

## When is Contract Review the right fit?

Choose a review when the other side has already sent you a contract and you want to understand it before you sign. Common examples include a client's services agreement, a vendor contract, a commercial lease addendum, an independent contractor agreement, or an NDA.

The review tells you what the contract actually says, where it puts risk on you, and which terms are worth negotiating. The redline gives you specific language to send back. If you are weighing whether a review is worth it at all, our article on [how much a contract review should cost](https://www.2hlaw.com/2026/06/12/how-much-should-a-contract-review-cost/) covers what to expect.

## What kinds of agreements usually fit the New Contract tier?

The New Contract tier is designed for agreements between two parties with terms that are clear and relatively standard for the type of deal. Signs that your agreement likely fits:

- There are two parties, you and one other person or business.
- It is a single document, not a set of related agreements.
- You already know the main business terms, such as price, scope, and timeline.
- The terms are typical for the type of agreement, without a lot of special exceptions.
- No industry-specific licensing or regulatory rules shape the contract.

Examples often include a basic services agreement, an independent contractor agreement, a mutual NDA, or a simple consulting agreement.

## What makes a contract complex?

Complexity usually comes from structure, negotiation, or regulation rather than page count. Your agreement is likely a Complex Contract if any of these apply:

- More than two parties will sign, or several documents must work together, such as a master agreement with attached schedules.
- The terms are heavily customized or have been, or will be, negotiated back and forth.
- It is a partnership agreement, an LLC operating agreement, or a shareholder agreement that governs ownership, control, and exits.
- Your industry has regulatory or licensing requirements that must be reflected in the contract.

Complex agreements include two rounds of revisions because negotiated and multi-party deals almost always change after the first draft.

## What if you are not sure which new-contract tier fits?

You do not have to decide alone. The attorney sets the new-contract tier and confirms it in writing before any work begins.

Not sure which new-contract tier fits? Pay $699 to start. If the attorney determines your agreement is complex, we confirm the $999 tier with you before any work begins. You will never be moved to a higher tier without knowing about it and agreeing first.

## What happens if your matter is outside flat-fee scope?

Some matters do not fit a flat fee, such as active litigation, a dispute that has already escalated, or a transaction that needs ongoing negotiation over many weeks. If your matter is outside flat-fee scope, we tell you first and refund. You are not left paying for work that cannot be done within the tier.

## Who handles your contract, and can you use the service outside California?

The flat-fee contract service is available to businesses nationwide. Legal services are provided by a California-licensed attorney. For contracts governed by another state's law, we confirm we can assist or associate local counsel before any work begins, so you know exactly how your matter will be handled from the start.

## Frequently asked questions

### Can I start with a review and then have a new contract drafted?

Yes. Some clients start with a review of a contract the other side proposed and then decide they would rather have their own agreement drafted. Each service is priced separately, and the attorney confirms the tier for any new contract in writing before work begins.

### Does page count determine whether my contract is complex?

Not by itself. A long contract with standard terms between two parties may still fit the New Contract tier. Complexity usually comes from multiple parties or documents, heavily negotiated custom terms, ownership agreements like operating or shareholder agreements, or industry-specific regulatory requirements.

### What if I need more revisions than my tier includes?

The New Contract tier includes one round of revisions and the Complex Contract tier includes two. If your needs go beyond that, we will tell you before doing additional work so you can decide how to proceed. There are no surprise charges added to your flat fee.

### Can I use the flat-fee service if my business is not in California?

Yes. The service is available to businesses nationwide, and legal services are provided by a California-licensed attorney. If your contract is governed by another state's law, we confirm we can assist or associate local counsel before any work begins.

## Contact
- Phone: (619) 810-1427
- Free consultation: https://www.2hlaw.com/contact/