The Year-End Contract Review Checklist for Small Businesses
4 Contract Moves to Make Before Year-End
October is often seen as the “quiet before the storm” — the last chance to get organized before the holiday season rush. For small business owners, it’s the perfect time to take stock of your contracts and ensure they reflect your current operations and future plans.
Too often, contracts are signed and then forgotten. But as your business evolves, those agreements may no longer fit your needs. Pricing changes, services shift, team structures evolve, and vendors may not deliver the same value they once did. If you don’t review and adjust regularly, you risk starting 2026 with contracts that are outdated, unfavorable, or even harmful to your growth.
Here’s a practical 4-step contract checklist for October:
Amend Update outdated terms. Has your pricing changed? Are timelines or deliverables different? Do your client or vendor expectations need clarification? Amending ensures your contract reflects today’s reality, not yesterday’s assumptions.
Change Sometimes you don’t just need an update — you need to restructure the agreement entirely. This could mean adding new services, adjusting payment terms, or tightening compliance requirements.
Renew If an agreement still serves you well, renewal can be a smart move. But don’t just rubber-stamp it — use this as an opportunity to negotiate stronger terms.
Cancel Not every contract deserves to move forward. If a vendor, supplier, or service no longer delivers value, it may be time to let it go and free up resources for better opportunities in 2026.
Contracts that are often overlooked during year-end reviews:
Independent contractor agreements that no longer reflect actual roles or rates
Vendor and supplier contracts with outdated pricing or products/services descriptions that don’t align with what you are getting
Website privacy policies and terms of service, which may not meet current compliance standards or changes you have made to your business
Taking the time this month to review and align your contracts means fewer disputes, less wasted money, and more clarity for the new year. It also sets a strong legal foundation so you can focus on growth instead of scrambling to fix preventable problems.
📌 Takeaway: Think of October as your contract “audit month.” The agreements you put in place now will shape how smoothly your business runs in 2026.
Stay safe out there.
👉 Want help reviewing and aligning your contracts before year-end? Book a Business & Legal Power Hour and get expert guidance tailored to your business goals. Together, we’ll create a plan to protect your business and set you up for success in 2026.
