Anyone make their own contract for side tech work?

I'm looking for ideas to come up with my own contract so that I have something binding when I do side work for people. It's getting pretty tiresome when people pay you for one job and they feel like that entitles them to a lifetime of 24 hour phone support and follow up visits.

I figure alot of members here get the same thing, so I was wondering what exactally you came up with. I want to make sure that I word this contract thing right.

Thanks

 

[rawoutput]

Just tell them that you charge hourly or by visit, and stick to your guns. Don't let them treat you like a byotch.

 

[rh71]

I have one written up for web work but unfortunately it's on my laptop right now. I'm making my mark so I can remember to post it when I turn that thing on later... maybe you can steal some stuff from it.

 

Thanks rh71, that would help greatly. And I prefer to think of it as "Borrowing creativity" as opposed to stealing

 

Check the Microsoft Office Template Gallery - there are a couple templates there for contracts, etc.

 

[Rufio]

that contact would be a nice thing to have.

 

[astroview]

Just write what you want in it! And make sure both sides give up something as part of the bargain.

There's no magic formula, and include signatures of the other side at least.

 

[HappyPuppy]

The legality of the contract might be suspect if you don't have a business license, resale permit and file all applicable state and federal forms, including declaring the income and paying taxes on it. If you aren't in compliance with all the laws, your customer(s) could shake you down by threatening to turn you in. Far fetched, I know, but irate customers can be pretty nasty.

 

[astroview]

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
The legality of the contract might be suspect if you don't have a business license, resale permit and file all applicable state and federal forms, including declaring the income and paying taxes on it. If you aren't in compliance with all the laws, your customer(s) could shake you down by threatening to turn you in. Far fetched, I know, but irate customers can be pretty nasty.

I think the contract is still legally enforceable, regardless of the other issues.

 

[HappyPuppy]

Originally posted by: astroview

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
The legality of the contract might be suspect if you don't have a business license, resale permit and file all applicable state and federal forms, including declaring the income and paying taxes on it. If you aren't in compliance with all the laws, your customer(s) could shake you down by threatening to turn you in. Far fetched, I know, but irate customers can be pretty nasty.

I think the contract is still legally enforceable, regardless of the other issues.

In the State of California, if a "contractor" does some work on your house and you discover that he/she doesn't have a valid contractor's license, they cannot legally collect from you by suing or placing a lein on your property. The fact is that they entered into the contract under false pretenses, which nullifies the contract.

 

[astroview]

Ahh, well normally licensing doesn't really matter for a contract. Cali obviously cares, MisterJackson might want to find out if this sort of rule applies in his state.

I'm pretty sure Cali is in a minority in it's approach though, and it might be restricted to the contractor industry.

 

[HappyPuppy]

You're probably right about being restricted to the contracting/construction industry. All contractors are required to be tested and have a minimum number of years experience in their particular trade and be licensed.

 

Yes, I have been living off of personal contracts. Albeit I'm stealing customers from my last company affiliation, but, I no longer have a non-competition contract with them.