Does anyone have a example of a build contract that a builder would give a customer? Thanks for the help.
LOL. Yea I know that. Just want a little protection and I don't mean a Trojan pic either. Just a short contract or something.
Never had anyone do any work. I always have done my own. Just wanted to see what you guys do. I want something on paper.
Paper is only useful if you can afford to fight it out in court if necessary... and if they have anything to take, if it becomes that sort of situation. Ask around the local clubs, car shows, garages, parts stores, etc.. -W
You need to do your homework,if you have a particular builder in mind ask him for a short list of clients,get in touch with them an see if they are satisfied with the work and would they use that builder again. Ask around at shows if they have had dealings with the shop you are considering. And be prepared to understand that a estimate is merely that "a estimate" The build's are always considerably more that the first estimate. And as said above,,you generally pay your bill once a week. HRP
Funny, I had the bill ready each week and was treated to surprise and incredulousness like the cars just built themselves!
Trust is the most important element in any endeavor. I tell my customers that if there is any concern regarding trusting me to do the best job I can for them they should find another shop. I am glad to give references for other jobs I have done and contact information for them to talk to my earlier customers. I usually bill at the end of each month. My current customer prefers to keep ahead of the game, paying in advance. That works too.
A legit shop is going to require a deposit and full payment on delivery. The contract should read in such a way that the build is well mapped out and that changes void the contract, requiring a new one. Deposit will always cover the cost of materials so that if the buyer welches the labor can be recouped on sale of the vehicle.
Most the good shops I know of want something down before they start; but how much depends on the size of the job. One thing all good shops do is invite the customer to drop by to see progress on their cars. If the shop has good references, and is honest, they wont mind you stopping by once a week to see what's being done, and make comments, suggestions, or pay bills as they add up. Often where customers and shops get into trouble is when a customer drops the car off and doesn't ever stop by. Then when he does the bill is huge, the work might not match the plan, and everyone involved is pointing fingers.
Keep it simple and direct. The simplest for both is a clean understanding of Time and Material, signed by the customer that they're requesting "ABC and XYZ" and that they understand that it's $XX.OO/hr. That they agree and understand that after XX days that storage fees will apply and that the balance due is receivable within XX days of billing/receipt. If you do computer records just open an account that has their name/project and track it that way. Don't get all wound up with "contracts", and if someone is overly insistent about a bottom-line contract you might wish to re-think the project. Knowing when to say "no" is just as profitable as when to say "yes".
Mine goes something like this. Drag lazy ass off couch, go out to shop, work on car. Hide money from wife, buy parts. Work on car more. Continue till done, or bankrupt.
I've recently started back working on the side. no written contracts yet, but the current OT project I'm working on I have a parts/materials retainer that I draw from and I bill at the end of each month at my standard hourly rate. I/we have a verbal agreement that I'll commit to at least 10 hours per month to that project--have been pretty much doubling that and the lady is tickled pink and pays faster than anyone I've ever done work for in the past. I hate that I'm just a few months away from finishing this one up! FWIW, I'm 3 hours away from her so i photograph everything and send a representative sample of the pics to her with each bill.
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