Family Chore Agreement Template

What is a family chore agreement?

A family chore agreement, or chore contract, is a simple written deal between parents and a child. It lists the child's jobs around the house, when they must be done, and what the child earns for doing them, whether that is an allowance or privileges. Writing it down and signing it together cuts down on daily nagging and "I didn't know that was my job". It also teaches a child that money and privileges come from keeping promises.

This template covers daily and weekly chores, what "done" means, the reward (a weekly or monthly allowance, or rewards and privileges instead of money), how chores and allowance connect, saving and giving, extra paid jobs, how many reminders the child gets, what happens when chores are missed, sick days, the parents' promises, and a review date. Send one agreement per child, so each has chores that suit their age.

When to Use a family chore agreement

• Starting an allowance and tying it to regular chores
• Giving an older child more responsibility, such as laundry or cooking one night a week
• Settling arguments between siblings about who does what
• Offering paid extra jobs so a child can save for something they want
• Resetting house rules at the start of a school year or the summer holidays

What You Fill In

18 blanks, then the name and email of each person who signs: parent, child.

What the family chore agreement Covers

1. My chores
2. Allowance and rewards
3. Reminders and missed chores
4. What the parents promise
5. Changing the agreement

Using the family chore agreement, step by step

1 List the chores

Write the daily chores and the weekly chores in short, specific phrases, such as "clear my plate after meals" or "vacuum my bedroom on Saturday morning". Say when chores must be done, for example before screen time. Say what counts as done, for example done properly without being asked twice.

2 Choose the reward

Pick a weekly or monthly allowance, or rewards and privileges instead of money. For an allowance, enter the amount and pay day and choose how it links to chores: the full amount only when every chore is done, paid in proportion, or paid regardless. You can add a savings rule and a list of extra paid jobs.

3 Agree reminders and what happens when a chore is missed

Choose one reminder, two, or none. Then write what happens if chores are missed, for example the chore still gets done before bed and repeated misses cost screen time. The agreement already allows swaps on sick days or busy school days, as long as the child asks first.

4 Sign it together

Add a review date, tick "This is me" as the parent and add your child as the second signer. A parent's email works if they don't have one. Both of you sign, and the signed copy is saved in VergeHR Files.

Tips Before You Send It

• Match chores to age. Younger children do best with a few simple daily jobs, and teenagers can take on whole tasks like a weekly meal or their own laundry.
• Put up a chore chart next to the agreement. The agreement says the chart is where chores are ticked off.
• Pay on time, every time. A late allowance teaches the opposite lesson.
• If you want chores to be part of family life rather than a paid job, choose the option that pays the allowance regardless.
• Review the agreement every few months and add responsibility as your child grows.

Family chore agreement: frequently asked questions

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This template is a general starting point, not legal advice. Laws differ between countries and states — have a lawyer review the agreement for your situation before you rely on it. Page last reviewed 2026-09-29.