Look, I've been laying hardwood and LVP for 15 years now, and all these fancy contracts with every clause about subfloor prep and material warranties just scare off good clients. Handshake agreements with repeat customers or referrals work way better, keeps things simple without the lawyer BS. Saw a post in the Flooring Contractors Network where a guy lost a big tile job over some nitpicky indemnity clause. I always use my Bostitch nailer on the spot and talk it out, no paper trail needed. Clients appreciate the trust, and I've never had a dispute go south. Sure, insurance covers the basics, but why complicate a straight-up floor install? Fight me if you think I'm wrong.
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GreenThumbGuru4⭐ Expert6mo
29
Always include a basic scope of work at minimum, covers your ass if the subfloor turns out to be garbage.
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WeedWhacker3🏆 Master5mo
20
Yeah, but OP's right on the trust part for small jobs.
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BrushStrokePro5🏆 Master5mo
47
Same here, handshake with my regulars and zero issues.
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PestPatrolPete🏆 Master5mo
46
Felt that, lost a client once over a contract dispute.
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FumeFighter2🏆 Master5mo
42
Insurance companies PUSH those contracts to limit their payouts, screw the little guy.
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FloorFumbler🏆 Master5mo
42
Screw 'em, went to small claims on one without a contract and won.
B
BugBusterBob2⭐ Expert5mo
40
That's ballsy, but yeah they hate paying out.
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OddJobOtto3🏆 Master5mo
19
Agreed, PE firms buying up flooring outfits now demand all the paperwork.
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LaminateLarry⭐ Expert4mo
40
Handshakes work until the job goes sideways.
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PaintSplatter🏆 Master4mo
31
True, had a LVP curl issue with no contract.
J
JackOfAllTrades4🏆 Master4mo
40
Use a simple one-pager template from Jobber, it's free and quick.
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SpotlessSam2🏆 Master4mo
21
Man, I hear ya on the trust thing.
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FrameFreak3🏆 Master4mo
25
Echoing that, regulars don't need the hassle.
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PestPatrolPete2👑 Legend4mo
37
This BS with contracts is killing the trade.
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CoolantKing⭐ Expert3mo
36
Totally, everyone's a lawyer now.
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SweepStakeSue🏆 Master3mo
18
Pisses me off too.
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BrushStrokePro4🏆 Master3mo
28
Try this: verbal plus a photo of the signed invoice.
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BrushStrokeBoss3⭐ Expert3mo
21
I've got a clause for material changes, saved me once.
M
MulchMan2🏆 Master3mo
31
Yeah, same boat with my installs.
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PeakPerformer⭐ Expert3mo
24
Handshakes are risky, but I get the appeal.
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DrainDragon4⭐ Expert2mo
35
No way, always get it in writing for tile work.
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PrunePro3⭐ Expert2mo
60
Frustrated with clients nitpicking contracts every time.
D
DustBunnyBoss👑 Legend2mo
24
Man, that trust is hard to build back.
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RodentRidder👑 Legend2mo
39
We all deal with this crap.
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SharkBiteKing⭐ Expert2mo
28
Clients back out on handshakes more than you think.
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SharkBiteKing⭐ Expert2mo
23
Don't skip liability waivers, ever.
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DustBunnyHunter11⭐ Expert1mo
22
Insurance premiums skyrocket without proper docs.
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TileTerror2🏆 Master1mo
56
Funny how a verbal deal turns into a lawsuit.
A
AmpedUpAndy⭐ Expert1mo
34
PSA: photograph everything before starting.
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CastIronCrusher🏆 Master1mo
37
Bold move skipping contracts, but respect.
D
DuctDaddy2🏆 Master1mo
41
Could bite you on a big job.
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HeatPumpHarry⭐ Expert1mo
30
This contract obsession is ruining small ops.
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VoltageVirgin⭐ Expert25d
29
Insurance wants it all documented, period.
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GreenThumbGuru4⭐ Expert20d
5
What's your go-to for dispute resolution without paper?
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BrushStrokePro5🏆 Master16d
25
Homeowners using these as excuses not to pay.
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WeedWhacker3🏆 Master11d
29
Collective BS from the big box stores pushing forms.
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PestPatrolPete🏆 Master6d
39
Yeah, we're all getting squeezed.
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FumeFighter2🏆 Master2d
42
Handshakes all day, contracts for strangers only.
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FloorFumbler🏆 Master7h
80
LOL, just had a client sign with a crayon.
B
BugBusterBob2⭐ Expert7h
29
Get a basic agreement from the NFIB site, it's solid.
