Looking for some tips from other small specialist business owners on templates for Contracts , proposals, work orders, service calls, ect.

I've tried using the CEDIA idea bank, but I've burned up my "download quota" already because they offer no samples of the download to see if it's what you are actually looking for. All of the ones I downloaded to view seem to be geared for much larger operations.

I've been using QuickBooks to draw up "estimates" with some small disclaimers at the bottom, but no contracts or work orders other than verbal. I've always felt that contracts would give the client a "bad taste", but now I've grown tired of getting burned and want to get more professional in our dealings. Also interested in some form of customer "questionaire" ideas, along with some form of simple consultation/design lead in agreement whereas I can get some form of time reinbursement when I spend days on walk throughs and research for a potential client only to have them go somewhere else or do it themselves.

I've also tried designing my own, I have 3 or 4 rough drafts I've started, but i always seem to draw blanks half way though because I keep thinking I'm leaving too much out, or I'm being too lenient or overbearing on what is expected from the client.

I would greatly appreciate any tips or help on this matter, and would even consider compensation to anyone who can help me find a good template or "sampler" of these much needed documents!

A little birdie told me that there might be an article on this very subject in an upcoming edition of Sytems Contractor News.


jcmitch

Clients expect a contract to sign off on; they get them from everybody else. While I don't proffer a contract on every accepted project I get, all the jobs that have really gone totally wrong over the years have by coincidence been the ones on which there was not a contract. Some day I will learn....

I use QB for simple T&M estimates. I use a custom spreadsheet I've developed for larger but quick estimates, and D-Tools for anything approaching a serious bid.

I can identify with your desire to find the perfect proposal tool. The best way to do it is develop your own, post it to the Idea Bank, get some more credits as a result, and then look at more of what's there for improvements to yours. Ask nicely around here and you will likely get things emailed to you.....

Hmm,

I thought I asked nicely?

Even offered compensation........ lol

Oops, forgot to say please? Where are my manners?

You're right; you did. I didn't read the last paragraph. Watch your email Monday....

Im in a similar situation as n is. What im trying to find are work order and change order form templates that work really well. I have some however they have been deemed "useless" by the installers. I love that they complain about the paperwork but dont make suggestions about improving these items. oh well....any help would be greatly appreciated Thanks