Speak with a lawyer now - Call: 613.869.5440
About ContractRiskCheck
Contracts shouldn't be a guessing game.
ContractRiskCheck gives business owners a fast, structured way to review common agreements—NDAs, independent contractor agreements, and service agreements—so you can:
- spot the red flags,
- negotiate the key terms, and
- sign with confidence (or escalate when you should).
Built for U.S. + Canada. Written in plain English. Designed to save you time, money, and regret.
Built by a lawyer for real-world deals across the U.S. and Canada.
Start here: Download the Free Contract Risk Checklist
Or browse packs: NDA Pack • Contractor Pack • Service Agreement Pack
A message from the founder...
Most small business contracts aren’t “bad.” They’re just written to protect the party who drafted them—and when you’re moving fast, it’s easy to sign something that quietly shifts risk onto you: unlimited liability, unclear scope, hidden renewal, IP ownership surprises, or “support” obligations that never end.
I built ContractRiskCheck because founders deserve a practical middle path between two extremes: signing blind or lawyering every document. The goal is to give you a repeatable workflow you can run in minutes—deal snapshot, red-flag scorecard, negotiation scripts—so you’re clear on what matters and you can ask for changes in a confident, professional way.
This isn’t about turning you into a lawyer. It’s about helping you protect your business while keeping momentum. And when a contract truly needs legal review—core IP, sensitive data, uncapped exposure—ContractRiskCheck helps you spot that early, so you can escalate strategically and save time (and often money).
If you’re using ContractRiskCheck, you’re already doing something most founders don’t: treating contracts like a business tool—not a formality.
Who ContractRiskCheck is for
ContractRiskCheck is designed for people who sign contracts as part of running a business—often without an in-house legal team:
- Founders and co-founders
- Agencies, consultants, and service providers
- Small business owners and operators
- Startups hiring contractors or onboarding vendors
- Teams buying software, marketing, or professional services
- Anyone signing “standard” paperwork who wants to avoid one-sided terms
If you’ve ever thought, “I don’t love this contract, but I don’t know what to change,” you’re exactly who this is for.
What you get (in plain English)
ContractRiskCheck is not a template library you download and forget. It’s a repeatable contract review workflow you can use again and again.
Each “Before You Sign” pack includes:
1) A Deal Snapshot (so the business terms are crystal clear)
You capture the real-world deal terms first—scope, payment, timing, deliverables, data, and exit—so the legal language can’t hide the truth.
2) A Red-Flag Scorecard (Green / Yellow / Red)
A simple, founder-friendly way to identify clauses that commonly create expensive surprises:
- unclear scope and “as needed” obligations
- hidden auto-renewals and lock-in
- one-sided liability and indemnity
- vague deliverables and endless revisions
- IP ownership issues (who owns what you paid for)
- data/security obligations that don’t match the deal
- termination terms that trap you
3) Copy/Paste Negotiation Scripts
You don’t need to “speak legal.” You need to speak clear and firm. We give you tiered scripts:
- A (preferred)
- B (reasonable)
- C (fallback)
So you can negotiate without sounding combative—or clueless.
4) An Escalation Rubric (when to pause and get legal review)
Not every contract needs a lawyer. Some absolutely do. The rubric tells you when to slow down—especially around uncapped risk, sensitive data, aggressive remedies, and IP.
5) A US–Canada Watch List
Cross-border deals are common—and small wording differences can matter. You get prompts to check:
- governing law/venue
- data location/access
- currency and payment details
- tax/withholding questions (where applicable)
- enforcement practicality
Why not just use ChatGPT?
ChatGPT is powerful—but most founders run into the same problems:
- It isn’t a workflow. You need a consistent process you can repeat under time pressure.
- Inputs are messy. If you don’t know what to ask, you’ll miss what matters.
- It may explain clauses without prioritizing risk. Founders need “must-fix” clarity, not a law-school lecture.
- It doesn’t give you negotiation posture. You need scripts that are concise, professional, and realistic.
- It’s easy to overshare. Confidentiality and data handling matter—especially for NDAs.
ContractRiskCheck is the difference between an AI chat and a founder-ready contract review system. We provide founders and business owners with a powerful contract review system to vet ChatGPT produced agreements and other generic templates for their specific situation and risk profile.
For AI and confidentiality guidance, see:
- FTC guidance on business practices
- Government of Canada – Business resources
- Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
- California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) overview
How it works (the ContractRiskCheck method)
Most contract problems come from a predictable pattern: the contract is drafted to protect the party who wrote it. Our system helps you respond with confidence:
- Clarify the deal (what are we actually agreeing to?)
- Triage risk fast (what’s Green/Yellow/Red?)
- Negotiate like a pro (short scripts that get edits approved)
- Escalate only when needed (save money, avoid false alarms)
That’s the point: move fast without being reckless.
What contracts do you cover?
ContractRiskCheck focuses on the highest-frequency agreements most small businesses sign:
- NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) — NDA Before You Sign Pack
- Independent Contractor Agreement — Contractor Before You Sign Pack
- Service Agreement — Service Agreement Before You Sign Pack
If you’re not sure which one applies, start with the Free Contract Risk Checklist or contact us here: Contact.
Important note (read this)
ContractRiskCheck provides educational information, checklists, and negotiation guidance. It is not legal advice, and using these materials does not create a lawyer-client relationship.
If your situation involves high stakes (major money, sensitive data, core IP, regulatory exposure, or litigation risk), use the escalation rubric and speak with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.
Founder
ContractRiskCheck was built by Koby Smutylo, a Canadian-trained business lawyer with over 20 years experience supporting entrepreneurs and growth companies. He created ContractRiskCheck to give founders and business owners a practical, repeatable way to spot contract red flags, negotiate key terms, and move quickly—especially in U.S.–Canada deals.
Ready to de-risk your next contract?
Start with the free checklist, or choose the pack that matches what you’re signing next:
- Free Contract Risk Checklist
- NDA — Before You Sign Pack
- Independent Contractor Agreement — Before You Sign Pack
- Service Agreement — Before You Sign Pack
FAQs
Is ContractRiskCheck legal advice?
No. It’s educational guidance and a structured contract review workflow. For legal advice, consult a licensed attorney.
Who is this for—founders or lawyers?
Primarily founders and small business owners. Lawyers may find the workflow helpful, but it’s built for business owners who need fast clarity.
What if the other party says “we can’t change the contract”?
That’s common. The negotiation scripts help you request targeted edits that are often accepted. If key risks remain, the escalation rubric helps you decide whether to walk away or get legal review.
What’s the difference between a service agreement and an independent contractor agreement?
A contractor agreement is usually about hiring an individual. A service agreement often covers a vendor/company providing services (often with renewals, service levels, and broader risk allocation).
Does this work for U.S. and Canadian contracts?
Yes—ContractRiskCheck is designed for U.S.–Canada deal realities, with cross-border prompts. Laws vary by jurisdiction, so use the escalation rubric for higher-stakes matters.
What if my contract is non-standard or high value?
Use the escalation rubric. If the deal touches core IP, sensitive data, uncapped liability/indemnity, or heavy compliance/security obligations, it’s a strong signal to get legal review.
Can I use this instead of hiring a lawyer?
Sometimes—especially for low-to-mid risk agreements where you mainly need clarity and negotiation help. For high-stakes deals, this helps you become a better client and reduce legal spend, but it doesn’t replace legal counsel.
Will these packs help me negotiate without sounding adversarial?
Yes. The scripts are designed to be firm, professional, and reasonable—the tone most likely to get edits approved.
