Contract/deposit for work - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

blastoffinc · 10-19-2009, 09:46 PM

We are doing our first job for a GC next week. What I am wondering is when you agree to do work for someone what % do you ask for a deposit? Does anyone have a copy of a contract that you would have the GC/customer sign? I haven't had to use any contracts yet. Thanks in advance.

blastserv · 10-19-2009, 09:51 PM

how big of a job is it?i would ask for 50% down...but without knowing all the details and how you feel about the company you are working for...i like the comfort of having some cash in hand...this is a niche business...dont let them treat you like you are easily replaced...chances are you are not

blastoffinc · 10-20-2009, 07:57 AM

Oops sorry about that. It is fire/smoke removal job on a cinder block garage, about $1,200. This is for a GC that has been around for over 30 years but I don't know much about them.

TheCleaningDoc · 10-20-2009, 08:36 AM

I have no idea what your costs are but for $1200 I would just do the job. Keep a short leash on the payment time. If they want to play with money to squeeze that last little bit of interest out of it, then they can go to a bank and borrow it.

BLASTPRO · 10-20-2009, 09:05 AM

1,200 is an amount I would let float 30 days. I entice my customers with larger payments 30k plus to pay a third down with a net 10 2% discount on the remaining amount. It really depends on who I am working for and the out of pocket overhead to get the job done. He might think your a little cheaky if you get on him about half down on a 1,200 dollar job. Out of state contractors are another deal all together. I took a job from D&W masonry out of Wisconsin and they stiffed me big time. Said I didn't complete the job and weren't going to pay me. We were washing a building and they found out that someone else was liable for the clean up so they had us stop where we were. I usually get half down when dealing with something iffy like this case and now im never going to proceed with any job from an out of stater without some money down. I had a rental cost along with chemical and 4 hrs labor on 3 guys. They wanted us in there rush rush and we agreed but didn't have a contract in place. Now all I can do is call the guy and get pissy over the phone which really doesn't do much. Beware of D&W masonry they have a track record of not paying subs, wow I really went off on that didnt' I. Good luck.

Betterblast · 10-20-2009, 09:03 PM

Blast pro. It may not help much if you call him. But what if we all called him. Every day. Hmmmm

panderson2414 · 10-20-2009, 09:13 PM

Every job 50% up front. That will cover the lift and paint. That is how contracting works.

BLASTPRO · 10-21-2009, 03:40 PM

Its fine if he doesn't answer his phone, this work is busy when your the one holding the phone and hose at the same time. No problem just catch up some other time.

blastoffinc · 10-21-2009, 07:28 PM

Does anybody have a contract I could look at? I'm not quite sure were to start in writing one and do not want to leave anything out.

blastserv · 10-22-2009, 07:07 AM

just use your proposal and ad a signature of acceptance and explain the details of how much you want and when...your computer has a program i am sure that will allow you to draft it up.

rlaird · 10-22-2009, 03:41 PM

http://www.alllaw.com/forms/Construction/bid_-/

Try that out just copy to a word doc and make it your own.

blastoffinc · 10-22-2009, 03:52 PM

Great thanks!

panderson2414 · 10-22-2009, 08:54 PM

Half up front it has always worked that way as far as I know. On jobs that last over two weeks you get progress payments. I have to pay my employees. The work we are contracted for has been bugeted for. Get the money you need to operate. For private or industrail, public works you have to buy bonds