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Old 10-28-2006, 02:43 PM Web Design Contracts
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Hi Everyone

I'm not sure if this is the correct forum to post this question-if not, my apologies.
This is concerning contracts, and has several parts to it.

1) Of those who use contracts for web design work, did you just do that from the start, or did you get burned first (like me) before you thought it might be in your best interest to develop one?

2) Have you found using a contract to be beneficial?

3) What is the general reaction of your clients when presented with a contract?

4) How did you develop your contract?

Of those of you who do not use a contract

1) Do you think you might in the future

2) Have you ever been burned by a client and wished you'd had a contract?

It's a lot of questions, I know. Anyone who can tell me about your experiences regarding contracts, I would really appreciate it!
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Old 10-28-2006, 09:23 PM Re: Web Design Contracts
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There's no one who can tell me anything about this? Hope by asking that I didn't step on any toes if this is, in actuality, a well-guarded ancient Chinese secret
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Old 10-30-2006, 12:50 AM Re: Web Design Contracts
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HI Angel....thats too bad no one can help you!!! This Forum does sometimes really suck!!! However I have this webpage in my favorites and I copied this which would help you:

Going Pro - Your First Paying Client

Part IV: Contracts and Getting Paid
For every web designer there is a 'client from hell' story, usually several. However the corollary is also true and there are many 'designer from hell' tales told too. A clear understanding on both sides of what a project involves and how it will be paid for is vital from the outset.
How detailed the contract will be varies. This is really an area where taking some expert advice can be very worthwhile.
Disclaimer: Nothing here purports to be legal or professional advice and all is offered merely as a matter of the authors opinion and is based on personal experience.
At a minimum a contract should cover the following issues:
  • A detailed list of what is included in the project and what is not
  • A time scale for completion of the work
  • Agreement about what parts of the work will be carried out by the designer and what parts by the site owner
  • Details of how and when materials for inclusion will be delivered by the client
  • Details of when and how payment(s) will be made
  • How many revisions and changes are allowed within the agreed price before additional charges apply
  • How additional charges will be applied and agreed for additions or alterations to the project
  • Who will own the copyright of any materials created for or added to the site
  • How will the final product be delivered
  • How and in what circumstances can the relationship be terminated by either party
There are links to some useful resources for writing contracts at the end of this article.
Getting Paid
The importance of getting a deposit from any client before starting a job cannot be over emphasized. The payment of such a deposit means you are covered financially for your initial work on the site and that the client now has a vested interest in bringing the project to a conclusion. In the case of many projects an interim payment at a later stage is also advisable.
My approach to this, which I do not put forward as suitable for everyone but which works for me, is as follows:
1. Concept Fee
Covers the design of the look and feel of the site, planning, advice or work on content sourcing and creation and copy writing if required. Payable before the project starts.

2. Build Fee
Payable before a functional site is built. I then build the site either at its eventual URL or as a subweb to my own site. In either case I would not hand over administrative usernames/ passwords for either the hosting account or any scripts etc on the site until the project is entirely paid for.
3. Completion Fee
Covers publication of site and handing over of all access. I also include some follow up search engine submissions, support and/or various periods of prepaid maintenance, hosting and so on as appropriate to the project.
Because many projects end up taking longer than you expected interim payments also mean you are not left waiting for payment for protracted periods of time. Cash flow is the lifeblood of any business.
Beware 'Scope Creep'
One very important concept that new designers need to understand and grapple with at an early stage is 'scope creep'.
This describes the way in which little extras are continuously added to an ongoing project, none of which may individually take very much effort but the sum of which can eventually move the project outside the scope of the one that was originally quoted for. Controlling scope creep can be the difference between making a profit or a loss on any site. You need to define clearly at the outset what attitude you take to changes or additions made as the site is developed and how much these will cost.


It has been taken from here. I hope this helps!!
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Old 10-30-2006, 02:34 AM Re: Web Design Contracts
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Thanks myworksweb, great info! Too funny about the "client from hell"-but live and learn, eh? I guess I was about due for one of those, which is why I finally see the need for one of these (a contract)
Thanks again!
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Last edited by Angels; 10-30-2006 at 02:45 AM.. Reason: spelled something incorrectly (didn't want to say typo again) :/
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Old 10-30-2006, 11:40 AM Re: Web Design Contracts
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You can also use this

http://talkfreelance.com/thread2745.html

and this

http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/showthread.php?t=427936

Hope it help
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Old 10-30-2006, 08:15 PM Re: Web Design Contracts
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My company has had trouble with bad debtors on a couple of occasions, and now we have a policy of 50% payment up front with new clients, and we do use a contract also.

It only takes one large bad debt to teach a very good lesson!
Joseph
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Old 10-31-2006, 04:16 PM Re: Web Design Contracts
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contracts are good if the business is worth going to court over - i.e $300+ for anything smaller you'd probobly not go to court to try and get it back as it'd probobly cost you too much!
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Old 11-01-2006, 03:11 PM Re: Web Design Contracts
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Quote:
Originally Posted by creatingspectac View Post
My company has had trouble with bad debtors on a couple of occasions, and now we have a policy of 50% payment up front with new clients, and we do use a contract also.

It only takes one large bad debt to teach a very good lesson!
Joseph
I had a similar experience and I now go even as far as 100% due upfront depending on the dollar amount of course. I have a portfolio to refer them to if they want to know why the upfront cost is needed. Typically they then understand that I am established with many references so there is no need to worry about the investment. Contracts are a must nowadays. People are always looking for get alot of cheap or nothing. Unfortunately I have had a few cases like this.
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Old 01-19-2007, 03:49 PM Re: Web Design Contracts
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myworks web that's great advice. It's more work that way but, no one said it was going to be easy.
First we discuss the project details to make shure we are on the right page.
I require a 50% deposit this tells me the potential client is for real.
Then I provide the work in increments which I discuss with the client and upon completion of the next stage another agreed upon payment is made.
Upon completion the remainder of the fee is due.
This has worked for me.
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