I run a tiny landscaping business (just me and one helper). I need a simple contract for new clients and maybe an NDA for a commercial job I'm bidding on. The lawyer I called wants $350 just to look at what I already wrote, plus more to revise it. I can't justify that for a two-page agreement. Has anyone here used those online template sites or just written their own? I'm not trying to be cheap, I just don't have hundreds to drop on this right now.
Legal Documents
I don't want to pay hundreds for a document I can write myself
I feel you. I used a template for my cleaning business. It worked okay for basic stuff but I had no idea what half the clauses meant. I ended up paying a paralegal $75 to explain it to me, which was still way cheaper than a full lawyer
Honestly, for an NDA, templates are everywhere and mostly fine. The contract for your landscaping work is trickier. What happens if a client refuses to pay? Does your template cover lien rights? That's where the $350 might actually save you money later.
That's a fair point about liens. I hadn't thought about that. I mostly just want something that says what I'm doing, when, and how much, and that they pay late fees if they're slow. But maybe I'm oversimplifying.
Write it yourself in plain language. Courts generally respect clear agreements between two parties even without legal jargon. Just make sure both sides sign and date it.
northpaw is giving OK general advice but I'd add: don't rely on a template you found for for free online. Some of those are outdated or written for a different state. Check if your state's bar association has a free or low-cost document library. Mine does.
This. The bar association thing is real. I got a sample contract from mine for $15. It wasn't tailored but it gave me a solid starting point.
Also, if the commercial job is big enough, the client might have their own contract they want yoou to sign. In that case you might not need an NDA at all, or they'll provide it.
I didn't even think to ask them. It's a property management company, so they probably do have their own paperwork. I'll reach out to them tomorrow.
One thing I learned the hard way: put a deposit clause in. I didn't have one and a client ghosted me after I bought $200 worth of supplies. Never again.
Deposits are good. Also spell out who owns the materials if the the job gets cancelled halfway.
I'm going to push back a little on the DIY approach. I wrote my own conTract for my handyman business. It held up for three years, then I had a dispute over a warranty issue and my wording was too vague. Cost me $1,200 to settle. If I'd paid a lawyer $300 upfront to tighten it, I'd have been ahead. Not saying youu need the $350 review, but don't assume writing it yourself is risk-free.
that's a good cautionary tale. Maybe a middle ground is paying for a one-time consultation, not a full review. Some lawyers will do a flat-fee 30-minute call and give you notes.
Or check if there's a small business development center near you. They sometimes have legal clinics for free.
A lot to think about. I'll look into the bar association and the SBDC. I still don't want to pay hundreds, but I'm hearing that a little bit of paid help might be worth it if I pick the right kind. Thanks all.
Let us know what you end up doing. Curious if the property company just hands you their contract.
One more th ing: whatever you write, keep a signed copy for at least a few years. You never know when you'll need it.