Key tips for ironclad painting contracts to avoid getting screwed

Been painting for 15 years now, mostly residential exteriors and interiors, and I've learned the hard way that a solid contract is your best defense against scope creep or non-payment. Always include a detailed scope like square footage, surface prep with sanding and priming using BIN for any Bondo spots to stop those damn bubbles, and specify brands like Sherwin-Williams Emerald for the topcoat. We're in Texas so heat and humidity make everything expand, so add a clause for weather delays without penalties. Throw in payment terms: 30% down, 40% at rough-in, balance on completion and walkthrough. I saw a guy in the Painting Contractors Facebook group get hosed last month over vague wording, so use simple language but cover change orders in writing only. Edit: forgot to mention, get everything signed digitally with something like DocuSign to keep it legit.

Man, had a client add on three extra rooms after we started, no extra pay, because the contract didn't specify. Felt like a total crap-show.

Texas heat? Try dealing with clients who think 'quick dry' means paint in the rain. Contract or not, some folks are idiots.

Haha, remember that job where the cat knocked over the paint tray? Client laughed, but without a mess clause I ate the cleanup cost.

Use AIA templates as a base, they're solid for painters and cover most bases like liens and warranties. Customize for your local regs.

For priming Bondo, BIN is gold, but test a small spot first or you'll be sanding forever.

Anyone using Housecall Pro for contract templates? Integrates payments nicely.

Screw these PE-backed firms buying up painting outfits, now everyone's nickel-and-diming contracts to death. Makes us independents look bad.

Same here, been burned on two jobs this season with vague scopes. Hurts when you're just trying to keep the brushes moving.

Insurance companies and these tight-ass contracts are killing small painters. We band together or get rolled over.

Up in Minnesota and yeah, the cold snaps delay everything, but a good contract with force majeure covers it. Feel your pain on the payments though.