Getting Started With Deel Contracts

This guide walks you through everything you need to start creating contractor agreements in Deel – from signing up for an account to launching three of the most-used contract types (Fixed Rate, Pay As You Go, and Milestone). Each workflow is completely self-contained, so you can jump straight to the contract type you need.

1 Sign Up For Deel

Yes, you do need an account before you can create contracts. Follow Deel’s official sign-up instructions here:

How to Create a Deel Account as a Client

Once your account is active and you have the proper permissions (ability to Add people and Create contracts), choose the contract type you want to create and follow the matching workflow below.

Use the person’s real, approved information. Do not use placeholder or invented personal information.

2 Create a Fixed Rate Contract

Overview

A Fixed Rate contract pays a contractor a set amount each pay cycle (e.g., $2,000 per month). Use this workflow when you know the exact recurring amount and dates you’ll pay.

Estimated time: 3–5 minutes Expected outcome: The Fixed Rate contract creation form is displayed and ready for you to complete.

Prerequisites

• Deel permissions to Add people and Create contracts
• Group and Entity (if your organization uses them)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Open the Directory
   In the left sidebar, select People to expand its menu.
   
   Select Directory under People.
   
2. Click Add people
   On the Directory page, select Add people in the upper-right corner.
   
3. Select Add one person
   
4. Enter the contractor’s details
   On the Add a person page, enter the person’s legal first name, legal last name, personal email address, and work country in This person is working from. Under Which contract do you want to add?, select Contractor.
   
5. Select Continue
   Confirm all required fields are complete, then select Continue. Deel opens the contractor-specific contract options. Available options can depend on the selected work country.
6. Click Learn More next to Fixed rate (optional)
   Review the contract information modal, then click X in its upper-right corner to close it.
7. Choose Fixed rate to proceed.
8. Verify the Fixed Rate contract form appears
   

Troubleshooting

• “Add people” button missing: You may lack permissions – contact your Deel admin.
• People, Directory, or Add people missing: Check that you have permission to Add people and Create contracts. Contact your Deel admin if you do not have the required permissions.
• Continue is disabled: Complete all fields marked with an asterisk (*) and select a work country. Selecting Contractor alone does not enable Continue.
• Fixed Rate option not selectable: Make sure Contractor (not Employee) is chosen. Confirm the required person details are complete, verify the selected work country, and check your organization’s available contract options.
• Form doesn’t load: Refresh your browser, clear cache, or try another browser. Contact Deel support if the problem persists.

Success Criteria

• The Add person – Fixed Rate contract form is displayed with the multi-step workflow panel on the right.

3 Create a Pay As You Go Contract

Overview

Pay As You Go contracts are ideal when contractors submit timesheets or work items for each payment cycle and you approve them before paying.

Prerequisites

• Deel permissions to Add people and Create contracts
• Group/Entity details if required

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Open the Directory
   In the left sidebar, select People, then select Directory.
2. Click Add people
   On the Directory page, select Add people in the upper-right corner.
3. Select Add one person
4. Enter the contractor’s details
   On the Add a person page, enter the person’s legal first name, legal last name, personal email address, and work country in This person is working from. Under Which contract do you want to add?, select Contractor.
5. Select Continue
   Confirm all required fields are complete, then select Continue. Deel opens the contractor-specific contract options. Available options can depend on the selected work country.
6. Open Pay As You Go information (optional)
   Review the contract information modal and click X in its upper-right corner to close it.
7. Select Pay As You Go
8. Verify the contract creation form loads
   Verify that the Pay As You Go contract creation form is displayed and ready to complete.

Troubleshooting

• People, Directory, or Add people missing: Check that you have permission to Add people and Create contracts. Contact your Deel admin if you do not have the required permissions.
• Continue is disabled: Complete all fields marked with an asterisk (*) and select a work country. Selecting Contractor alone does not enable Continue.
• Option greyed out: Ensure you selected Contractor worker type. Confirm the required person details are complete, verify the selected work country, and check your organization’s available contract options.
• Form doesn’t load: Refresh, clear browser cache, or contact Deel support.

Success Criteria

• The Add person – Pay As You Go form is displayed with the multi-step workflow on the right.

4 Create a Milestone Contract

Overview

Milestone contracts pay contractors when predefined project milestones are completed and approved. Use this when work is broken into distinct deliverables.

Prerequisites

• Permission to Add people and Create contracts
• Group and Entity information (required fields)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Open the Directory
   In the left sidebar, select People, then select Directory.
2. Click Add people
   On the Directory page, select Add people in the upper-right corner.
3. Select Add one person
4. Enter the contractor’s details
   On the Add a person page, enter the person’s legal first name, legal last name, personal email address, and work country in This person is working from. Under Which contract do you want to add?, select Contractor.
5. Select Continue
   Confirm all required fields are complete, then select Continue. Deel opens the contractor-specific contract options. Available options can depend on the selected work country.
6. Click Learn More next to Milestone (optional)
   Review the contract information modal and close it with X in its upper-right corner.
7. Choose Milestone
8. Confirm the Milestone contract form appears
   Verify that the Milestone contract creation form is displayed and ready to complete.

Troubleshooting

• Cannot find Milestone option: Verify you selected Contractor worker type. Select Continue from the initial Add a person screen; the Milestone option does not appear by scrolling on that screen.
• Milestone is unavailable: Confirm the required person details are complete, verify the selected work country, and check your organization’s available contract options.
• Continue is disabled: Complete all fields marked with an asterisk (*) and select a work country. Selecting Contractor alone does not enable Continue.
• Form does not load: Refresh or clear cache; if unresolved, reach out to Deel support.

Success Criteria

• The Add person – Milestone contract form is visible with the five-step workflow panel on the right.

What’s Next?

Fill in the required fields on the contract form you opened, follow the on-screen steps, and send the agreement for approval or signature.