FREE DOWNLOADS
Free business templates.
Proposals, reports, project plans, budgets, a start-up checklist and more for working for yourself, ready to download and make your own.
These free business templates give you a professional head start on the documents you write most when you work for yourself. Each one is a Word, Excel or PDF file you can download and edit, with [square brackets] showing you what goes where.
Every template comes in two versions: freemeup branded, or no brand if you’d rather add your own colours and logo. The Word and Excel templates also open in Google Docs, Google Sheets, Apple Pages and Numbers, and the Start-up Checklist is a PDF you can fill in with any PDF reader.
They’re the same templates that come with the freemeup Technology service, so they’re made for real, everyday work.
How do I use these templates?
Download the version you want, fill in the bracketed parts, and you’re ready to send. A few tips:
- Keep the download as your master copy, and save a new copy for each job.
- Replace everything in [square brackets] with your own details, then delete any guidance lines and sections you don’t need.
- If Word or Excel opens the file in Protected View, click Enable Editing in the yellow bar at the top.
- Save your finished document as a PDF before you send it, so it looks the same for everyone.
Choose your template
Choose a category, then click the version you’d like. Each template comes with freemeup branding or no brand, and downloads straight to your computer.
Client documents
The documents you send to clients, from the first proposal to the final report.
Proposal
Set out the scope of work, deliverables, exclusions, timeframe, fees and payment terms, with a sign-off box for your client to accept. The fees table has GST rows you can delete if you’re not GST registered.
Letter of Engagement
Confirm the scope of work, deliverables, timeframe and fees you’ve agreed with a new client, with an acceptance box for them to sign. It covers the scope only, so attach your own terms of business if you have them.
Letter
A clean, professional letter layout with your contact details, the recipient’s address, a subject line and a sign-off, plus optional space for your website and NZBN. Ideal for updates, follow-ups and introductions.
Report
A full report with a cover page, contents, methodology, results, conclusions, recommendations and a disclaimer. Fill in Sections 8.2 and 8.3 first, and the title, client and date update throughout the document.
Memorandum
A short, structured memo with purpose, background, discussion and recommendations sections, ideal for updating a client, recording a decision or setting out the options and next steps for a project.
Request for Information
Ask a client or supplier for the information you need, with a table listing each item, the format you’d like it in, a column for their response, and the date you need it by, so nothing gets missed along the way.
Project management
Keep your projects on track, from planning the work to logging your time.
Project Plan
List each task with its owner, start and due dates, status and progress, plus a space for notes. The summary at the top counts your tasks, shows how many are done and tracks overall progress as you go.
Meeting Agenda
Set out the purpose, attendees and agenda items for a meeting, with a lead and a time for each item, so everyone arrives prepared, knows their part, and the discussion stays focused and finishes on time.
Meeting Minutes
Record who attended, what was discussed and the decisions made, with an actions table showing who is doing what and by when, ready to share straight after the meeting so nothing slips through the cracks.
Timesheet
Record the date, client, project and task with your start and finish times. Hours and amounts work themselves out from your hourly rate, and the summary adds up your billable hours and the amount to invoice.
Change Request
Record a change to the work you agreed, with what was asked for, how it affects the scope, timeframe and fees, and a sign-off box for your client to approve it before you start. Ideal for keeping scope creep in check.
Business planning
Set up and plan your business, from your first checklist to your goals.
Start-up Checklist
Work through the steps to get your business started, from choosing a structure and registering to tax, insurance and health and safety. Tick each step as you go, with links to useful sites and space for notes.
Business Plan
Set out your services, target clients, marketing, pricing and how you’ll operate day to day, with a financial plan and tables for your goals, milestones and risks. Ideal for a bank, an investor or yourself.
Budget
Plan your income, business costs and the money you set aside each month across the New Zealand financial year. The totals and what’s left over work themselves out, and you can add or rename rows to suit.
Goal Setting
Turn your vision into three to five clear goals for the year, with an action plan, the support you’ll need and regular review dates. Check your progress each quarter and keep your business heading where you want it.
Do you have more questions?
Are these business templates really free?
Yes. All the templates are free to download and use in your own business, with no sign-up needed. They’re Word, Excel and PDF files, so once you’ve downloaded them they’re yours to edit and reuse.
Can I use these templates if I’m not a freemeup client?
Yes, anyone working for themselves in New Zealand is welcome to use them. freemeup clients get the same templates as part of the Technology service, set up and ready to use in Microsoft 365.
Do I need Microsoft Office to use them?
Word and Excel give the best results. They also open in Google Docs, Google Sheets, Apple Pages and Numbers, although automatic fields may look a little different.
Is the Letter of Engagement template a legal contract?
No. It confirms the scope, timeframe and fees you’ve agreed with a client. It doesn’t replace terms of business or legal advice, so ask a lawyer for a formal contract.
Still have a question we haven’t covered? We'd love to help!
Terms of use: These templates are free to use for general guidance only. You’re responsible for checking that a template suits your purpose and for any changes you make, and they’re not a substitute for professional or legal advice. You’re welcome to use them in your own business, but please don’t resell them or republish them as your own. We make no representations about their accuracy or completeness and won’t be held liable for any losses arising from their use.