I was wondering if you guys ever use written contracts with your commercial accounts or do you rely on a verbal agreement?
I have several commercial accounts and I give them price breaks for continuity, but it is usually just a verbal agreement and the only written material involved is on the estimate sheet. I can see pro's and con's to using contracts, but I would LOVE input from you more experienced guys. Thanks, Tom

We get a signed contract.

If they want the discount that goes with frequency or maintenance cleanings (quarterly or more) then they'll sign it with no problems.

No signature= regular price

If you are dealing with medium to large corporations you need a signed agreement, plus a purchase order number to speed up payment of your invoices. No P.O. and your invoice needs to be signed off by proper authority, all this slows down payments.
Signed contracts also spell out what is done and the frequencies, so there is no guess work by either party, have a log book in place with floor plans and hi-lite areas cleaned every time you are in the building.

Does anybody have any suggestions as to where I could find a generic contract or would anybody be kind enough to send me a copy of theirs I would appreciate it. Thanks, Tom

I by some stuff from nebs. www.nebs.com

Steve Frasier
Drew and Steve's Floor Care
www.drewand steve.net

If you'll send me an email and remind me,
I'll send you the contract that we use.

Regards,
KC

A contract adds a measure of professionalism to the relationship. And don't be afraid to think they won't want to sign a contract. A contract actually protects them. Plus your business will also be more sell-able with a group of contracts to offer if you ever decide to sell it.

To illustrate the value of providing a contract, consider this. If you were going to have an electrician do some work on your house and you had two companies give you a price. Both prices were in the same ballpark. But the one guy just told you a verbal price while the other wrote out a contract detailing exactly what you could expect. Which would you choose? I'd pick the second guy - even if his price was slightly higher.




Rick Gelinas

Thanks for all the posts. You guys have really given me some food for thought. Tom