Pro tip: I stopped giving a flat fee for staging consultations after one client asked me to do their whole house for free.

I used to just say 'my consultation is $200' and show up. Then last month, a couple in the Elmwood area asked for a quote, I gave it, and after two hours of walking through their place they said 'so this advice is part of the $200, right?' and expected me to keep coming back. Now I write a simple contract before I even step in the door that says the fee covers one visit and a written plan, and any extra time is a new agreement. Has anyone else had to get this specific to stop scope creep?

4 comments

4 Comments

wadejenkins3mo ago

Honestly, that "simple contract before I even step in the door" sounds like a great way to scare off normal people. You're turning a simple service call into a legal thing right off the bat. Most folks just want to talk to an expert, not sign papers. In my view, a clear verbal agreement when you book the appointment should be enough. If someone tries to push for more later, that's when you explain the limits. Starting with a contract makes the whole relationship feel hostile from minute one.

skyler_kelly693mo ago

My plumber has a one page form he emails before showing up. Takes two minutes to read. Wadejenkins is right that it feels formal, but last year it saved me from a $500 surprise when my old pipes needed extra work. The paper just said what he would and wouldn't do for the first visit fee. Verbal agreements get fuzzy when people are stressed. A simple sheet sets the rules so nobody gets mad later. It's not about being hostile, it's about being clear.

abbyhall3mo ago

So what happens when the verbal agreement gets forgotten or twisted? People remember things differently when money is involved. That sheet isn't a scary contract, it's just a receipt of the conversation you already had. It protects the homeowner from bait-and-switch as much as the tradesperson. Skipping it just leaves everyone open to "but you said" arguments later.

milalewis29d ago

Caught an article the other day about how contractors and homeowners ended up in small claims court over a job that started with "we shook on it." Judge basically threw it out because neither side could prove what was actually agreed. That's what gets me about wadejenkins' take. A one page sheet isn't a legal battle, it's just covering your ass when memories get shaky. Normal people aren't scared off by a paper that says "I'll fix your sink for X dollars and you won't sue me if the pipes are rusted." They're scared off by getting halfway through a job and suddenly the price doubles or the work stops. That sheet is just insurance against the bad players.