How to Write a Contract For a Paint Job

Painting contracts protect you and your customers.

Contracts may seem like a tedious part of your job as painting contractor, but, if you operate a business without them, you may find yourself on the subject of a lawsuit or having an uncooperative client. Before starting a paint job, collect every piece of information you can about the specifics of the work to be performed, the pay you will receive and the amount of time the customer expects the job to take. Cover every detail when writing your contract document.

Instructions

1. Open a new document in a word processor program of your choice and save it as your paint contract. The borders should be no less than half an inch from the edge of the paper to avoid having text cut off when you print the document.

2. Create a header that includes your business name and the type of contract. If you have a logo or image that you want to include, copy it into the header space. Write your business address, phone number, email address and a website if you have one.

3. Make a section of the contract that specifies for whom the paint job is intended. Write the name of the person or business for which you are performing the service, the address of the contact, phone number, and any other relevant contract information. Include an area explaining that the contract is an agreement allowing you to perform work for the individual or business.

4. Create an itemized list that explains exactly the customer is paying for. Include the materials you will need to purchase for the project, the exact work you plan to perform and other details specific for the job. If you are not sure about this section, wait to fill it out until you speak with the customer.

5. Describe the method and time of payment. Specify that the payment is for the aforementioned work in the contract and that additional work will be negotiated as needed. The final sum should be listed in this section, as well as down payments needed to start the work. Write the date by which you should be paid.

6. Provide an area that explains the work time line, and include the estimated start and end date of the project.

7. Leave lines at the bottom of the contract that allow for your name and that of the person for whom you are working, signatures and dates. Print the contract when you are finished writing it.

Tips & Warnings

• Sample contracts online are good templates to help you include items specific to painting jobs.

References

• Repairhome: Writing And Negotiating The Contractor'S Contract

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish