contracts...

[philjohns]

Im starting to do a fair bit of graphic design work for various small companies and want to know how I would go around making a contract.....and whether I have to send it to the client in the post for them to sign and then have them send it back...

Sending it to the client seems a waste of time becuase at the moment I am turning jobs around in 2 or 3 days tops.

Can I send one over the internet for them to put there name at the bottom in word and have them send it back to me?

[PR Design]

Web Design Contract

[philjohns]

Thanks, that looks great...but do I really need all that information in a contract? It just seems so long... ;)

How can I get it to stand in place without sending it to the client?

[blueocto]

You could try using it as a disclaimer or Terms and Conditions? As those are not normally something you would send to someone bu would expect to read before they proceed with something

[philjohns]

I'm thinking more along the lines of having something that means they cannot get of paying up - and also, I'm working with a client at the moment and I'm doing a flyer for free on the terms that he will give me at least one other design job a month (one flyer a month for £25) and I want to have something which means he will have to pay up and give me at least one more job....

[blueocto]

I would have said the best thing to do is draw up a contract; a contract can be verbal or written, but certain laws dont cover the self-employed, so your best just writing a basic contract and get him to confirm in writing/email that he agree's to it.
Then you least have something to go off if any problems arise...

[philjohns]

Something like this then which I just get him to type his name at the bottom?

I (the client of Phil Johns) agree that I will not be paying him anything for these flyers and will not change anything on them without his consent.

Instead of payment I agree that I will come back to him with at least one other job within the next two months and I will pay between £20 and £30 if the job is for a similar flyer – otherwise I will agree another price for a different job of which I wish him (Phil Johns) to complete.

Signed,

___________ , the client.

[blueocto]

Probably best to check it out with a legal person as I am having issues on this subject myself, but if the client is happy to sign that, then its better than nothing! :)

[glebe digital]

Originally Posted by philjohns

Something like this then which I just get him to type his name at the bottom?

Phil, I've never seen conditions like that before, to me that would 'get my back up' as a client and smacks of undue pressure. If you need that for a £25 job, what would a client expect to see if the job was £200+ ? I think it's a real sledgehammer to crack a nut.

The client-supplier relationship is one of trust, based on both parties acting in a professional manner, if you show your professionalism by trusting the verbal agreement then this generally works in your favour.......if you get ripped at least you'll have the moral highground, plus you can legally refuse usage-rights of work that has not been payed for.

In over twelve years of freelancing I've only ever signed one contract, and I've only been burned on one job in the past..........I think it's more to do with assessing your client's integrity and if they don't scrub-up under scrutiny, then you either walk from the job or request part-payment up-front.

Good luck
Stu