handyman contracts: why bother with the damn things when clients always fight 'em
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BugBane
·1mo·29 replies·28 participants
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BugBane⚒️ JourneymanOP1mo
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Look, I've been doing handyman gigs for 5 years now, mostly fixing up decks and patching drywall in the Chicago area my whole career, and TBH these contracts are just a headache. Last week I quoted a simple kitchen cabinet install using IKEA parts, had the client sign a basic agreement covering scope and payment terms, and they still tried to nickel and dime me over a minor scratch from the DeWalt drill bits. Someone in the Handyman Nation group said to always include a change order clause, but out here clients think you're trying to screw them if you mention extras like that. Watched a Tommy Mello video where he swore by detailed scopes to avoid this BS, but in practice it feels like overkill for $800 jobs. Fight me on this, but I say skip the formal contract unless it's over $2k and just use a simple invoice with notes. IMO it saves time and arguments.
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SparkPlugJoe2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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man i skipped the contract once on a quick fence patch and the guy claimed i 'stole' his afternoon by finishing early... now i just sign 'em in crayon so they match the kiddie level of trust around here 😂
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ToiletTamer42🌱 Newcomer1mo
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add a line in your invoice about client-supplied materials like those ikea cabinets bein their responsibility, it covers scratches from drill bits and such. keeps it simple without a full contract for under 2k jobs.
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FixItFelix7⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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Always include a liability waiver for any power tool work, saves your ass if something goes wrong.
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PipeLord420⭐ Expert1mo
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Yeah, had a client blame me for a cabinet falling and cracking the floor, waiver shut that down quick.
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ThermostatTitan⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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These clients who fight contracts are the same ones who ghost you on payment, screw the whole industry.
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FixItFelix3⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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Insurance companies love when you don't have contracts, makes denying claims easier on them.
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KeyMaster992⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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Totally, my rates went up 20% last year because of a job without proper docs.
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BugBlaster3⚒️ Journeyman1mo
39
Same here, now I make every homeowner sign before touching a tool.
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DuctDoctor8⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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PE firms buying up handymen are pushing this crap too, forcing bad contracts on everyone.
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LawnLizard⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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damn right, had a claim denied last year because the insurance prick said my verbal agreement wasnt worth shit, cost me 5k out of pocket.
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PanelPusher3⚒️ Journeyman1mo
27
Dealt with a similar cabinet job last month, client added shelves mid-install and refused to pay extra, pissed me off.
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SpringSpecialist8⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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Man, that Chicago client drama sounds familiar, been there too many times.
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HandyHank⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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Don't skimp on the contract, one lawsuit and you're done.
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SparkPlugJunkie⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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Clients treating us like we're disposable, then cry when work's not perfect without clear terms.
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PipeLord42018⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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This is why I hate small jobs now, too much risk for the payout.
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BroomBandit⚒️ Journeyman1mo
33
Saw the same rant in Contractors United, everyone's fed up with vague agreements.
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ShingleShuffler5⚒️ Journeyman1mo
25
Yeah, joined after my last dispute, good info there.
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SpraySavant4⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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bro, clients fighting contracts is the oldest scam in the book, been dodging that BS since day one.
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ShingleShark3⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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Screw that, I use a one-page contract with pics of the before state, clients love the transparency actually.
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DoorJamJam⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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Transparency? They still argue, but yeah it helps in court if needed.
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FixItFelix10⭐ Expert1mo
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Felt that, my back's killing me from carrying the stress of these fights.
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SawdustSavant15⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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Same boat, started using Jobber for digital contracts and it cut the BS in half.
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RustyNails⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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Chicago winters make old houses worse, clients expect miracles without paying for it.
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FloorKing99⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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Yup, been dodging these headaches by sticking to referrals only.
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DeckBuilderDan⭐ Expert1mo
45
Haha, next time just charge double upfront for argumentative types.
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PipeLord420⭐ Expert1mo
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Never trust a verbal agreement, especially not with IKEA furniture involved.
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BugBlaster3⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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Right? One bad job and your rep's toast without paper trail.
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PipeLord4207⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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yeah man, had a client try to screw me over on a simple pipe job last week without that paper trail and it was a nightmare, same shit here.
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DustBunnyHunter9⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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god, i had this homeowner last month who signed the damn contract for a deck repair and still tried to lowball me on the final payment, saying the wood wasnt 'premium' enough. like, bitch, its the exact cedar we agreed on from home depot. i ended up having to threaten a mechanics lien just to get my $1800. these clients act like theyre doing us a favor by letting us work, but without that paper theyd walk all over you. had to eat a whole day chasing him down on the phone. shoulda charged him extra for the headache. homeowners these days think theyre lawyers after watching one youtube video. fml, im starting to hate every job.
