Does anyone have a boiler plate contract they are willing to share? I am out on my own now and dont have the luxury of established clients that pay well. Thanks in advance!
This was drawn up by my attorney as a simple professional services contract. I change the payment terms depending upon the client, often asking for a retainer, between 30% and 50%, especially if it's a new client.
Bill Surveyor Surveying, P.C.
68 Stone Boulevard
Suite 101
Anytown , New York, 11301
(800) 555 1212
SURVEY AGREEMENT
To: Need A Survey LLC (hereinafter referred to as "Client")
95 Main Street
New York NY 10001
Date: May 12, 2011
Premises: 100 Plot Street, Brooklyn NY
Section Block 100 Lot 10
Bill Surveyor Surveying, P.C. (hereinafter referred to as the Surveyor), agrees to perform the following services with reference to the above listed real property payable as follows:
$ 1600.00: Topographical Survey of Lot 10, Block 100.
$ 800.00: A detailed survey of the existing sidewalk vaults below Plot
Street and Parcel Street.
Payment due upon completion of field work.
Delivery of signed and sealed survey upon receipt of payment in full.
Surveyor Agrees to perform the work within 15 days of the signing of this agreement.
Client agrees to make any necessary arrangements to permit the Surveyor to gain access to the premises and any adjoining property in order to perform the survey.
Surveyor shall in no event be liable for any delay or failure to perform resulting from accidents, strikes, water flood, wind, malicious mischief, riot or from any other cause which is unavoidable or beyond the control of the Surveyor, or for any consequential damages.
Any dispute arising between the parties, with the exception of the client’s obligations to pay the sum agreed to for the services performed or to be performed by the Surveyor, shall be decided by arbitration in accordance with rules of the American Arbitration Association. Notice of the demand for arbitration shall be filed in writing with the other party to this contract and with the American Arbitration Association.
If a dispute between the parties results in an arbitration award or a judgment as a result of litigation, in favor of Surveyor, then the client shall be responsible for the Surveyor’s reasonable legal fees, costs and expenses pertaining to said dispute.
No work, service or liability on the part of the Surveyor other than that specifically stated herein is included or intended. This contract shall constitute the entire agreement between the parties and all prior representations whether written or oral, are superceded by this writing.
Let me begin by saying that contracts are a very big deal. Every nuiance, every detail can be very important. Taking examples can using them without understanding the reasons things are as they are is dangerous. I advise taking some time and carefully studying the language in every contract you see (not just surveying related documents).
Having said that, I got a file with lots of example contracts a few years back. Have attached same for you. Use at your own risk.
