residential contracts

[PRECISION LC]

I was wondering , would you recomend having residential customers sign contracts?

[Green Care]

If asked YES
But I don't try to force

All them pays never had a problem!

[Nelson]

I am wondering the same PRECISION LC ?????:confused:

[Randy Scott]

ALL my customers are on contracts. It just helps me to keep everything more organized, everything is in writing if any disputes were to arise, I just feel better and more professional with it set up that way. I had one old guy tell me I should think about not having or changing the contract because he felt he needed an attorney present to understand it. He is the ONLY person to say anything and I really don't care that I didn't get his yard. In todays day and age I would like to have something more than a handshake. I also know that it's a matter of who, and how much money you want to spend in the court of law nowadays, regardless of contracts or not. I just prefer one.

[bubble boy]

have them sign. if you feel its needed, give them an out-say 30 days notice.

avoids disputes. and i need to record their address, phone number, etc anyway, so easy way to do it and keep everything organized.

[GreenStar]

i use a service agreement that has a 30 day out clause. this ensures i'll get paid for the month and also gives me 30 opportunity's to save the cancel. there are laws in michigan that tend to lawncare contracts (one that tgcl does not follow) they can viewed on the dept of agricultare site.

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Use some type of form that they have to sign.

The signature helps prove in court that they knew what work was aloud to be performed.

Hence they sign thay PAY!!!!!!!!

Does not have to be a contract.

[plow kid]

When in doubt I make out a work order and have the person sign it~NaTe

[LawnCrafters]

You can almost get away with out them. But you need to have everybody sign one to cover the 2 dead beats out of 100 customers.

[Lawn-Scapes]

After 10 years in this business without an agreement I decided to go with one this year. Not because I was worried about getting paid as I never had any major issues before. I went with one this year because I decided to go with a 10 month billing system. It outlines everything so that the customer understands (feels more comfortable with) what they are getting for their money.

The main reason I wish I had done it years ago is that it has allowed me to pre-sell (more!) services which in turn has allowed me to become more organized with scheduling and billing.

I definitely recommend a service agreement!! It's makes you look & feel like a pro...

[GarPA]

absolutely have them sign 'something'...if you dont like the word 'contract'...you might want to draw up an 'agreement'....does the same thing, says the same thing as a contract and is not quite as offensive to some people ....have not had a single problem with the agreement approach...I make it very clear when payment is due also

[rider1000]

Do not hesitate to require it!!! I can just about guarantee you will have someone who you will have trouble collecting from. I did a fall clean up for someone last year without a contract - emergency call - and she assured me she would pay. Well, we are going to small claims court. Another customer was a mowing account, mowed 1 month and sent invoice expecting payment, mowed three more times while waiting to get paid. Never did get money until 1 week before we were to go to small claims court. The vast majority of people will pay on time, but it is a real pain in the a** to collect from the ones who don't. If they are not willing to sign a contract, I wouldn't take them. I do not do any work for anyone now without their signature on the dotted line. Just my 2 cents.

[landscaper3]

We make ALL our customers sign contracts for lawn maintenance and plowing! When asked by a contracted customer for landscape contruction job we provide a 5 to 10% savings in price. If someone out of the blue calls for the same construction we make them a lanscape construction contract to sign and 100% of materials up front before ordering them and 50% of labor the week of the start date and remainder 50% day of completion! No complaints and in todays market you need a contract!

[Krimick]

I think having residential contracts is decent idea, but it presents an awkward situation if they didn't want to sign.....I don't see why they would refuse though.