Contracts

I own a very small surveying firm and have never used contracts with my clients. I now have a client that is requesting that i prepare a contract for the basic boundary survey of 300 acres in which i will be surveying for him. I know pretty much what the contract should include as far as describing the scope of the work, etc., but was just curious as to if any of you had any sample contracts that you use as a rough guide, that i might also use to help guide me through the creation of a contract that would be ideal for my survey. Thanks in advance for help!

For contract framework start here:

http://bids.andassoc.com/samples/

http://contracts.corporate.findlaw.com/operations/services/52.html

http://www.thecatalyst.org/hwrp/pages/sample_contract.html

You would do well to use a written contract for all projects you do.  You are providing a professional service, not yard work.

The book "A Pocket Guide to Business for Engineers and Surveyors" by H. Edmund Bergeron contains an excellent sample contract that is worth the $55 purchase price alone.

California Land Surveyors Association provides a standard form contract.  Look up their website and find their publications order form.  I think you can get a pad of 25 for around $6.

Keep in mind that there may be items that you will want in your contract that address certain state-specific requirements.

I had my standard contracts written by my attorney.

E-mail me (via my profile) and I'll be happy to send you the standard form contract I use.

I have a whole bunch of example contracts.  Just be aware that each was designed for a situation which may or may not be similar to yours.  Email me and will send you what I have.

Also, permit me to make a couple of observations.  Mr. Slim indicates he never used contracts.  That should be never used written contracts.  Technically, every time you do a survey for someone you have a contract.  Often those contracts are oral and sometimes implied.  But there are almost always the basic elements for a contract.

Also, Mr. Slim indicates he understands what the contract should include ... "describing the scope of work, etc."    It is important your contract describe the scope of work.  Absolutely do that.  But I suggest you also mention the most common things that might be included in similar projects but that are not being included within the scope of work for this particular project.

So why in the world would you mention things in a contract that are not included?   Because later the client may well change his mind and wonder why you didn't do these other things as a part of the job.  When they have that change of heart you need to be prepared to point out that the contract specifies that they are not included; but, that you are prepared to provide those additional services / products but only at an additional fee.

Finally let me suggest that you can likely get by with a pre-canned contract for this one project.  But you may wish to go ahead and invest some money in a contract that is written specifically for you and your company by an expert on contracts.  Having a really good contract prepared by a professional who understand exactly what they are doing can be a real life saver.

Larry P