Before finalising a contract, many businesses prefer to send an offer letter that clearly outlines the proposed terms for delivering a service or product. A well-written General Offer Letter helps establish clarity, professionalism, and trust between parties from the outset. It can serve as the bridge between early discussions and a final formal agreement.

What is a General Offer Letter?

A General Offer Letter is a formal document that sets out the key terms of a proposed transaction involving a service or product. It typically includes the scope of work, pricing, payment structure, delivery timelines, and other essential conditions. While it’s not a binding agreement, it acts as a written proposal made in good faith to invite the other party to accept the offer and proceed toward a more detailed contract.

This type of letter is particularly useful for agencies, consultants, and suppliers offering bespoke or complex services or products. It offers transparency and helps prevent misunderstandings before a legally enforceable contract is signed.

How to Create a General Offer Letter with Bind

Creating a General Offer Letter through Bind is fast and straightforward. You simply tell Bind that you want to create an Offer Letter, input key project details and Bind generates the document for you automatically.

The letter can be edited manually or with AI assistance, and once complete, it can be securely shared and stored in your Bind account. If the client agrees to the terms, Bind makes it easy to create a follow-up contract based on the offer.

What Should a General Offer Letter Include?

A strong General Offer Letter typically contains:

1. Offer details and a description of the service/product, scope, price
2. Key dates
3. Respective responsibilities
4. Confidentiality clause
5. Next steps 
6. A note clarifying that the letter is not a legally binding contract.

Can an Email Be Legally Binding in the UK?

Yes—under UK law, an email can be legally binding if it contains the key elements of a contract: a clear offer, acceptance, consideration (such as payment), intention to create legal relations, and certainty of terms. This applies even if the parties expect to sign a formal agreement later.

For example, an email that states:

“We accept your proposal of £15,000 for website development, to begin on 1st June,” could form a binding contract if followed by performance or payment.

To avoid unintentional commitments, businesses should:

• Use clear disclaimers like “subject to contract.”
• Avoid using definitive or commitment-based language.
• Wait to begin work or take payment until a formal agreement is signed.

If in doubt, always clarify the email’s purpose and reserve legal commitment for the final contract.

Common Questions About General Offer Letters

Is a General Offer Letter legally binding?
No, it is typically not binding. It outlines proposed terms and intentions but is not enforceable until a formal agreement is signed.

Should I include pricing and payment terms?
Yes. Pricing and payment details are central to any offer and help avoid misunderstandings.

What if key project dates aren’t confirmed yet?
You can state that dates will be determined upon acceptance of the offer. This allows flexibility while still showing commitment.

Can the recipient negotiate the terms in the offer letter?
Yes. The recipient can suggest amendments, and the final agreement can reflect the negotiated terms.

What Happens If You Don’t Use an Offer Letter?

Not sending a General Offer Letter can lead to:

• Miscommunication about scope, timelines, and price.
• Unclear roles and expectations.
• Slower contract negotiations.
• Greater legal risk if disputes arise and no preliminary written record exists.

Even if your final contract includes these details, setting the tone with an offer letter reduces friction and gives clients confidence in your process.

General Offer Letter (for service or product)– free template

Dear Sir/Madam,

We are pleased to present this offer, which outlines the preliminary terms for your review. This letter is intended to clarify our proposed terms in anticipation of finalising a formal and legally binding agreement.

Offer Details
[Name/Description]:
Scope:
Price:
Payment Terms:

Key Dates
All key dates will be determined following acceptance of the offer.

Respective Responsibilities
Supplier
- […]
- […]
- […]

Recipient
- […]
- […]
- […]

Confidentiality

Both parties agree to maintain the confidentiality of all information exchanged during discussions and throughout the course of the engagement, as detailed in the final agreement.

Next Steps

Please confirm via email that you want to proceed and we will prepare a legally binding agreement for your review and final signature. This offer is not a formal agreement but represents our good faith offer to proceed to create a final agreement based on the terms outlined above.

We look forward to the opportunity to engage with you and are available to discuss any questions or further clarifications you may have.

Create a General Offer Letter in minutes with Bind

Bind is the easiest way to quickly and accurately create up-to-date contracts and documents from start to finish. You can create a customised General Offer Letter through Bind, edit it as needed, and store or share it with your clients securely—all in one place.