Hi everyone,

I am trying to decide if I require two types of contracts. One for the hourly client and one for the retainer client. AND do you have all your clients sign a contract, even if its a little one hour job?

Looking forward to hear what everyone else does!

__________________
Internet Marketing Specialist
Back Pocket Business Solutions

I have a retainer agreement and an hourly agreement, although I no longer offer retainers, so I only use the hourly agreement. I have most of my clients sign contracts, but it depends on the client and the type of work I'm doing for them.

I do some on-site work, which is paid at time of service, so I don't usually have them sign contracts. I think it is a good idea to have all of your regular clients sign contracts, so that they are clear on terms, but I have to admit I do have some regular clients that I don't have a contract on.

__________________
Rebecka Melson ~ Virtual Business Services

I hate to say this out loud but I have NEVER signed a contract with my clients. I might have just been lucky that all went well and I am not saying that anyone else should not sign a contract. I just find it interesting that I never did and most do. I need to take another look at signing client agreements and not press my luck!

Lisa

Lisa,

You're not alone. I've admitted that I'm lax in that area too. I have been getting better about sending new clients contracts, but I still have some clients that I've never sent one too. It's mostly locals that I haven't had sign a contract. I've been lucky, so far I've only had one person stiff me for $25.00. Luckily I had her pay a deposit and it covered all but the $25.00.

__________________
Rebecka Melson ~ Virtual Business Services

Thanks for the insight ladies.

The more I think about the processes and everything I plan on offering - I do believe that I would require both an hourly and retainer agreement.

__________________
Internet Marketing Specialist
Back Pocket Business Solutions

I have a template contract that contains both the info and I just delete which ever I'm not using (it is only a couple of paragraphs). Some might say, why don't you just have two different contracts? Well, like all my other documents I tend to tweek at will so I didn't want to be updating two docs...I just update the one template and continue to delete the couple of paragraphs I don't need.

I think using a contract is another step in building the "professional" image. I'm not saying that people will think less of you if you don't...I'm saying people might reach the next level of "impressed" if you do!

Make it a great day!

__________________
Sundi D. Hayes
Chief Virtual Officer - My Office Zilla
www.myofficezilla.com

In the beginning I was lax about getting contracts signed but now, I don't start until I receive either by email, fax or post. Large projects I also require a deposit.

__________________
Kylie Short
Tilda Virtual Services - Making virtual personal

I haven't required any of my clients to sign a contract either. I did however have to sign a non-compete agreement for a company I perform typing services for.

Do you all have your clients sign a contract EACH time, or is before the first time you ever do a project?

I guess what I envision is that they sign a "letter of agreement" with all of the different terms and then I would generate a quote for them each time they have a project to complete.

I'm not quite sure how I want to handle this aspect of it, so I look forward to your feedback!

I think for most VAs every client is different, so often it's a matter of the individual project as to whether a full-blown contract is appropriate or simply a letter of agreement. I would pretty much always at least supply the letter, unless perhaps it's just a really quick job for someone you know personally. If you were the client, you'd appreciate your VA laying it out clearly in a letter before getting too deep in the assignmant, right? When doing the original negotiations, I'll mention that I plan to send a letter of agreement, so the client isn't surprised.

__________________
Mary H. Ruth/Virtual Writing & Communications
http://www.writingVA.com