[MJH]

I have in the past used a contract for commercial customers, but are they worth the paper they are written on(legally binding)? Also does this put people off taking you on if you push contracts?

What are your thoughts on this subject?

cheers matt

[AuRavelling79]

I tend to let the customer lead this.

Two of my three  biggest commercial customers assign me a new order number at renewal time for the following year. As of yet they have  been automatically renewed each year. (no competition apparently) They pay by standing order/dd.

The other large commercial is on a two monthly basis by cheque but I have no contract so they could drop me.

My small commercials in the £20/£80 per month range are monthly but no contract and some want an invoice others pay from petty cash or a cheque on the spot in return for a signed slip.

If I won a contract in the £500 per month plus range I would want a written contract for a year as I would be dropping other work to accommodate it.

[MJH]

Thanks Malc, that seems to be a sensible approach.

[colley614]

Plus the bank manager likes to see contracts if you want a loan or mortgage