SB: Contracts for clients

Merc-lady

I have set up a small business, in the service industry.(Sole trader, not VAT registered) I am trying to get all my paperwork designed as cheaply as possible, obviously, but am aware that there are times where paying for professional help is a must.

What I need is a contract between myself and my clients. I intend to have monthly contract clients as well as "PAYG" clients. Are there any templates out there I can use/take ideas from or am I best biting the bullet and going to a specialist solicitor? I have got my T&C's (plagarised from a similar company) Even if I need to get a solicitor to look it over, will it be cheaper to prepare as much as I can beforehand so they can just tweak what I have?

Thanks in advance

Merc

Savvy_Sue

It's always a good idea to prepare as much as possible before seeing someone who charges by the hour ... but the possible downside is that if they feel what you're starting with is too far off the mark they might spend hours going through it with a fine toothcomb to make sure it's all legal ...

Sorry that's probably not much help!

joggyb

Hi Merc-lady

At the risk of seeming too forward, I can certainly help you with what you're after. Please go to my profile, and have a look at my website (I'm Helen, the one who offers help with all things legal, such as Ts&Cs, liability disclaimers, etc.) You'll find I charge a great deal less than most solicitors, and I particularly specialise in helping small businesses, so I'm sensitive to their budgets!

Template Ts&Cs are a fine enough place to start, but I usually advise people against relying on them and tweaking them unless they've ever had any professional legal training. It's just that without knowing properly what you're doing, you may unwittingly write yourself Ts&Cs that don't work, or which could be deemed illegal or void. You need to avoid doing that, or you could land yourself in trouble!

Similarly, many templates have all sorts of provisions that you probably won't even need/aren't relevant to your business - so again, they're not usually the best solution from this perspective either.

Do feel free to PM me or get in touch via the website, and mention your MSE post and we can go from there. I'll help you in the most cost-friendly way I can!