Hey all, Wondering if anyone has any examples of contracts for furniture jobs they’ve done. I built furniture for others, but it’s always someone that i trust, like a friend or relative. Now i have two people that would like me to build them some things, and i’d like to enter into a contract with them so i don’t get screwed.
I was hoping someone had one saved that they could post on this. (names and specifics removed of course.)
Thanks
Replies
I have found from past experience there isn't a contract that can't be broken so don't depend on someone's signature on a contract to be honored. If I felt uncomfortable with someone there is nothing wrong with cash up front. If I don't know someone I dadgumed sure would get cash up front. Some people get real funny about paying for something.
Good Luck and God Bless
les
There's always two sides here.
If I were the client, and the builder required *all of the cash* up front, I'd be very, very worried that I'd be the one getting screwed.
As an ex-general contractor, what I used to do was get some money up front for materials, and then get the rest upon completion. (I did solar systems, so this wasn't like building a house where there were large outlays for labor and so forth that were stretched over months.)
If this is a project that will take a long time, completion payments are probably in order. This should be a win-win so each party feels protected.
John
John
I will agree with you there are always 2 sides to every story but all I have to base my post on is past experience. In the greaaat state of Texas the only people guaranteed to be paid are auto mechanics and home repair people we have a thingy called a mechanics lein. Any other unpaid bill, contract, invoice whatever you want to call it has to go to court. When I first went into business I was very careful with credit and I still had an occasional person refuse to pay a due invoice. I would file in small claims court ( $5000.00 max) and I won all of my suits, I have yet to collect one red cent on any of these invoices. I even went to big court with one unpaid invoice had a lawyer and everything, same story different verse. I don't bother to file anymore. You can't make someone pay a bill the judge can fine them but the money goes to the court even on a hot check the court can collect a fine but they can't make them pay what is owed you. Been there done that too.
I have a friend that is a dentist he tells me there is nothing like walking down the street and having someone smile at you with a set of dentures that they still owe for.
If you want to trust someone and get part of the money up front there is nothing wrong with that or if it is enough money involved go to a bank have the money deposited and set up some type of draw there is nothing wrong with that.
I know I'm going to hold up my end of any agreement I have with you whether it is a handshake or a written contract, I want to be sure if I don't know you that you will do the same.
I still say there is nothing like cash up front.
God Bless
les
Been in business a long time and it boils down to the person you're dealing with not the contract.. I do recommend a contract. Something simple in layman's terms. Then collect a reasonable deposit (30% - 50%). On completion, ask the client to come see to approve and pay before delivery. Best way I've found to not get totally screwed is to be paid before it leaves the shop.
Finally got into my library to run down the title of the book I was thinking of:
"Business and Legal Forms for Crafts" by Tad Crawford. It has a fairly comprehensive, customizable set of contracts that craftspeople and artists can use in a variety of situations. Comes with a CD, too, so you can load the forms right up into your word processor and add/subtract/modify/etc.
David
"The world that was not made is not won by what is done" -- Mundaka Upanishad
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