kris

For businesses that provide services many people have a business in which you enter into a contract with each customer? Do you have your customers sign contracts or do you just agree to a set fee and to your end of the deal (the work and services you provide? I have never made anyone sign anything official but sometimes I wonder if I should.

Max

It really depends.

Do you know the person? If the person is well known and has a good reputation, it may not be necessary to sign a contract for a small transaction.

If it's a large transaction, you're going to kick yourself when the person runs off with your money unless you sign some sort of contract.

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Max - NBT Advisor

Paul

I run a hosting business and I don't require contracts to be signed. The transactions are never huge, but neither is the chance on getting stiffed. I mean if they don't pay I just flip the switch and they don't get hosted. I have been rather lucky though and had very good clients.

I do agree that some business types would need a contract just to cover yourself.

kris

I'm really considering starting to require a contract of sorts for certain people and projects. Most people are trustworthy and honest. But there is always the chance of running into someone who is not. I've had it happen a time or two. And once I do the work assigned, I can't get back my time or money if the client never pays.

Josie

In my experience, when I am working on a large project for someone who isn't familiar with my work, they do require a contract and I am happy to sign one. I figure it protects both of us, so why should I mind?

However, most of my work are smaller projects and I have yet to use a contract with a client. Actually, most of my work I get via word of mouth, so I guess people don't feel they need a contract - if their friend says my work is good, they trust that it will be.

Smith

It really depends in the amount of money that is crossing between me and a client. If it is only one hundred dollars or so then I will not have them sign a contract, but if it is anything over three hundred dollars (approx.) I will try and insist on a contract. I'm not going to spend a lot of time doing a web design for someone to cheat me out of the money. That's also another reason why I insist on 50% up front for my web design projects.

Tim

Im like Smith. I only do contracts if it's a decent amount of money.
Contracts can bring in unnecessary work and red tape into a simple job like a quick logo or some content writing.

$400+ jobs get a contract, otherwise I don't bother.