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Contract or not, I dont think you can force a customer to keep you on if they dont need you any longer. One of the pleasures of self employment.
There are a number of posts relating to consumer contracts as the law changed in this year, here's one you may find useful
Tom Beevor said:
Simple domestic might only need a verbal contract, or at worst a simple email with standard Ts & Cs to include payment terms, frequency of visits, expectations as to things like dog mess, access, that sort of thing.
I would include 6 weeks notice for both parties, but in reality if someone doesn't want to continue for any reason I'd rather move on to the next job. The notice term is more important on larger jobs, where it's a real hit to your income and you need a period to replace the work.
Hi Tom, unfortunatley a small percentage of customers, no matter how watertight your contract, will let you go as soon as you have got the garden nice and manageable.
Fortunately as you progress you will develop a "hardcore" of good clients, as i have since starting to trade 11 years ago.
I mainly deal with residential clients and just a couple of businesses. You can set out a simple contract, stating what in the garden/premises is included in your quote price, along with frequency of visits, but ive never found the need to produce one other than for businesses, as ive never been stung to such an extent.
explaining thoroughly at the outset of the contract is always the best option i think.If when the customers says "lawns only", i will always say "so you wont want the paths or borders weeding, or shrubs/hedge pruning?" that way there's never any question as to what the client thinks is included in my quoted price, i even reiterate out loud what im putting in my diary with the client present, then if at a later date they mention weeding or pruning i can just say thats extra!
Would you really want to risk scaring off what could possibly be an excellent client by bringing out a legal looking document for them to sign when you've only just met them? Business clients expect it, but home owners tend not to.
To add to Ben's comments I'd agree that it's better simply to send a short note. I wouldn't expect domestic customers to sign anything, and would never whip out pages of legal-looking blurb on a first visit!
I think it adds a professional touch. At the very least they'll be wanting your address, bank details for payments etc., so it's easy to add in basic terms with that. An email that evening to say "nice to meet you today, confirmation that I'll start next month", that kind of thing.
Don't forget that, even if a customer stops needing you, they might well recommend you if you part on good terms.
Paul McNulty said:
I have had it many times customers leaving if they can get it cheaper they will go to some else. I have had it after doing their garden for a few years. I have had people go if I have put it up after two years by a pound. If there are a lot of people doing garden maintenance in the area someone will always do it cheaper.
regards
colin
One thing to include is price increases: when, how much etc.
I tend to increase them in April. The excuse is it ties in with the tax year, but in fact it's when they need me most so can see the benefit, and even if they look around for someone else all the decent gardeners will be flat-out. They might find someone to undercut in mid-winter, but shouldn't in Spring.
There will always be the odd customer that will look to get away with a bit, but in all honesty, they are few and far between. We have run a 'contract system' for commercial and private customers for many years and have yet to be 'let down'. Yes, very occasionally a customer will move on and maybe find someone cheaper, but the trick is to make sure they can't find anyone BETTER!
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