I do contract work and own a cleaning LLC. Just got off the phone with my biggest client because he’s been underpaying me. It sucks. I feel like I’ve been taken advantage of and it’s definitely a lesson learned on my part.
My question is, is it normal for everyone to try to screw you over? Should I require every single client to sign a contract?
I didn’t originally because me and this guy used to work maintenance together. He taught me everything and was almost like a father figure. I let my guard down and got burned.
Sorry if my writing is a little jumbled. I’m not used to these sort of conversations with people and the entire thing just feels slimy and gross. I hope most people are not like this.
Oh man… I’ve been here so many times. You WILL lose clients, you WILL gain clients. The difference between the ones you lost and the ones you gain will be when you invest in the contract, and hold them to it. If they try to fuck you over, and they will, be prepared to show the contract and fight for it. As long as you hold up your end of the bargain they will have to also. Remember - you don’t want to work for anyone who does not value you, move on quickly and get new locked in clients. I strive to constantly do better so that I never lose another client, but some relationships are just not worth it.
Yes exactly. It was a hard lesson to learn I guess, I’m sorry for you.
To be honest, in some cases, it’s not even that people are dishonest. It happened a lot that they simply forget, bc things weren’t put on paper.
So please, document everything and indeed require every client to sign a contract