Detailing Contract & Written Estimate Document help.

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Artificial-I

New member
Hello Topians,



Im a long time member , but havent been here or posted in a long while. I decided recently I needed some extra cash so with some small time investments. Ive gotten some business cards together and im starting up a small mobile detail business.



Im pretty good with microsoft programs. So I wrote up a written estimate contract document. I did search for about 30 minutes on the site for contracts or estimate documents...but couldnt find anything but people asking for or saying to email for the document. Im going to provide mine online to help those in the same boat as Iam as well want to perfect this document with the help of you and perhaps those legally inclined or those who work with contracts.



Ill continue to update and help as much as possible. But anyhow here is my first draft. It seems to be worded ok and you can easily go into MS Word or Probably WordPad even and change the name of the business at top. Im open to anything anyone wants to add into it and might even make a couple of versions to suite everyones needs.



CONTRACT UPDATED: 8/10/07
 

Attachments

well my spell check caught a couple of minor spelling errors on it. But personally if I were a customer and you invited me to oversee the entire detail and then you tell me you will not fix any damages done to the vehicle I would walk away. I think you need to make it clear your not responsible for any damages already exsisting but you will take on full responsibility if you damage anything (i.e. burn through paint, mouldings, acid wash rims etc etc etc). I wouldn't want a detailer touching my car without full confidence of not messing up my car. Hacks are everywhere and people in general know it. They are leary and need that note of worry free detailing
 
Jakerooni said:
well my spell check caught a couple of minor spelling errors on it. But personally if I were a customer and you invited me to oversee the entire detail and then you tell me you will not fix any damages done to the vehicle I would walk away. I think you need to make it clear your not responsible for any damages already exsisting but you will take on full responsibility if you damage anything (i.e. burn through paint, mouldings, acid wash rims etc etc etc). I wouldn't want a detailer touching my car without full confidence of not messing up my car. Hacks are everywhere and people in general know it. They are leary and need that note of worry free detailing
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Very true. But even then you say that and your opening yourself up to someone say oh yah that scratch you made and you need to paint that part now to repair it.



Im doing this so you cant get sued and you can of course say in person I will fix anything I truly damage. But this is to just cover me and invite them to watch if they dont , well then thats their problem.
 
You could always do like the car rental companies do and have a drawing of a car and list all the damage prior to the detailing.
 
LazerRed1 said:
See how this looks.
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I like this. Also to make editing easier on some of you, you can always just cut and paste the wording if thats all you want to edit.



Ill post it up at this current point as your version seems to sound better.



Do you have any credentials you can give us as well about yourself so we know if its in professional hands. Not trying to say anything , I agree it sounds better. Just would be good to know what might have led this to a better light career wise. Lawyer or contract law or education....



Thanks guys for the input so far. Im suprised its already got a few good responses! :)
 
I,__________________________ agree to the written terms of this estimate, contract and the charges for service set forth above. I verify that any work done on this vehicle is done in good faith of the detailer. All blemishes that are visible on the vehicle must to be brought to the attention of the detailer prior to signing this contract. The owner of the vehicle is invited to watch the entire detail process to observe what work is being done. The detailer is not liable for any damages caused to the vehicle, or for any damage that can't be repaired and the owner agrees that he/she is using this detailer at their own risk. Owner will pay the total estimate in full at the time of service. This contract contains the entire agreement of the parties and may not be altered or varied except by another document signed by both parties.



Owner:____________________________________________



Signed:____________________________________________ Date:_____________
 
Just thinking out loud but you may want to have a walk around sheet (not sure what the technical name would be). Sort of a drawing of all four sides of the car and top, so you can mark any damage. I always get these from my local car rental place when I rent a car. It shows the damage if any that is already done to the car. Just to cover you in case they say you caused damage to the car.
 
Found a sample with the help of Google. Needs to be fixed up a bit for detailing but should give you an idea.



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Artificial-I said:
Do you have any credentials you can give us as well about yourself so we know if its in professional hands. :)
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I are a lawyer, and goodly educated.



When you think you have a final idea, let me know and I'll see what I can put together for you if you like.
 
LazerRed1 said:
You could always do like the car rental companies do and have a drawing of a car and list all the damage prior to the detailing.
Click to expand...



Now how the heck did I miss you said that. Sorry about that.



Note to self... read all posts, no skimming. :chuckle:
 
MotorCity said:
What string of words did you use to search and find this?
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I used "vehicle condition report drawing", it's the second one down in google "Vehicle outline drawings?? - Tech Support Guy Forums" then go to post #8. Hope that helps.
 
Hey everybody, new to this forum. Been looking for the past 2 months, but just registered so I could post a form that I have been using with success. I created it for myself since I too was looking and looking and couldn't find much on the net for standard forms. This one seems to work well for me. It is in Excel and has 3 tabs on the bottom. INVOICE, INSPECTION CHECKLIST & DETAIL CHECKLIST.



Hope this helps if anybody needs one or wants to modify one.



(Well, I was going to upload it but maybe I can't upload and Excel file?) If anybody wants a copy, I can email it to you.
 
I have been very lucky. I have run a detail for 5 years plus now and have never given a waver. I think that if you damage the vehicle no matter what you have the customer sign your still liable. In Canada listed in your vendors permit it says that ultimatly for your neglect you are responsible. And if someone worked on my own car and damaged it I would hope they would fix it. I wouldnever sign something that said if the person working on my car breaks something they are not liable. I think the walk around is a great thing, and making the customer aware of past damages makes sense. But in all reality if the customer is a dirt bag he could scrape a poll on the way home phone you nd say he just noticed it. If damage is a concen for you have the customer sign when your done saying the car left here in perfect shape. In all honesty I have never had a problem with anyone making a false claim and I average 10 cars a day for the last 5 years. I have damaged a car before and had to pay for it. I was polihing a Dodge Viper and there is a small panel that hides the side of the motor on both sides right under the hood. It is only attached along the bottom and I caught the corner of it and snap. It was huge bucks to fix but it was my fault. Good work though the form looks great.
 
I have always done a visual inspection with the owner present prior to starting any work. I have them point out any spots they are aware of that they want me to attempt to fix or that they think are beyond help. I take a small piece of blue masking tape and mark each of those spots and anything else I notice... that way we're both on the same page when I start. I do like the idea of the vehicle condition report drawing for extra protection.... up to this point I guess I've just been lucky b/c I've never had a customer try to blame damage on me after the fact.
 
Good stuff and ideas so far. I think im going to make a few different approaches to the contract/estimate. I like having them do a final sign off of the vehicle being left in good condition.



If anything that would be the best in court too! Also the post above about I are a lawyer, I about fell off the rocker. Very funny , but I have a feeling that wasnt a joke so if youd like to lend a hand to this , feel free to. Ill try to work up a report.



Im going to do a job right this moment too....
 
Ok just got back. Man nothing like working your behind off for 3 hours in the florida heat and getting a 5 dollar tip for a job you gave too good of a price to begin with just to get the job. LOL



Anyhow , I revised the contract and I removed the damages part...so it looks more professional as well added in the sign off part at the end of the deal. Wonderous stuff I tell you. Will be updating the initial post with the new document so feel free to download and check it out.



Also thanks to all the topians who are helping so far , we keep this up we will have a rock solid contract for everyone to use worldwide!
 
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