archkre Posted May 7, 2004 Share Posted May 7, 2004 Is anybody so kind to share with us any contract or work order proven to be effective ,simple and not terrifying , please? During many years I didn't use any contract with my clients, which brought me several problems. Lately I tried to use some model I ran across in the recommended book "Artist Guild Handbook"or something like that,wich brought me even more problems! The clients didn't want even to read it, with some of the following excuses: 1] "I do not sign any paper without consulting my lawyer before, and I can't spend my money on the lawyer's fees" 2] "This is getting very complicated....,Ok. forget about it, thanks for your time! 3] "But, we only need some perspectives, you don't trust on us anymore?" So this "contract" is only an obstacle for my professsional development ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted May 7, 2004 Share Posted May 7, 2004 Maybe your contract sounds "too legal". I had similar issues with my first draft. I simplified it and have had NO problems at all. In fact I thhink it makes people feel more comfortable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archkre Posted May 7, 2004 Author Share Posted May 7, 2004 This is why I am asking for some "friendly model of contract"! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexg Posted May 7, 2004 Share Posted May 7, 2004 Archkre, We also don't usually use contracts. We only give them our fee proposals which include all breakdown items of services needed for completion of the project, including any conceptual design fee if necessary and their prices. All your client need to do is to sign on that fee proposal just to give a 'purchase order' or a 'go ahead'. If it is a new client, it is advisable to the approval in black and white. For repeat clients, the method can be a bit more informal. Just make sure you put note on what is not included in your fee proposal and payment terms/conditions. This makes it easier for you to get / ask for additional fee on scope of works not mentioned in the quote. Just remember that a client that won't sign approval on your quote is more likely to try avoid paying you at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archkre Posted May 8, 2004 Author Share Posted May 8, 2004 Ok, contract, work order or fee proposal, whatever it works but please publish any succesful one to use as a guide!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan Posted May 9, 2004 Share Posted May 9, 2004 The cost to join the ASAI (American Society of Architectural Illustrators-- tradtional and digital) for one year is $170 US. Slightly more for international members. Upon joining you are provided with a sample contract and a page of sample extra clauses you may wish to include. They also provide sample letters to clients regarding copyright notices. I have used a version of this contract very successfully with my U.S. clients but had a great deal of trouble in Toronto. I was told the contract is "self-serving". That if one is in a service business one cannot be so rigid. That it is off-putting and that traditionally business of this sort is done on a handshake or on a little paragraph sent by e-mail outlining what was discussed. "Besides" I was told, you can't enforce them anyway. This particula Architect was a freind of the family. I had tried to get his business for over a year when the call finally came. I was called in to replace the work of an award-winning illustrator with whom his client was not pleased. There was a big hurry. I told my "friend" that my normal practice was to ask for a 50% retainer from a new client, but because it was him, I'd foregoe that this time. The end of the story is that his client did not like my work either and I did not get paid. My "friend" had not bothered to sign the contract, but I had enough e-mail doncumentatin and approvals on my thumbnail that I could very successfully taken him ( the architect, not his client) to small claims court. In a post disaster luncheon with him, I said "if I wanted to commit professional suicide, and I took this to small claims court and I showed the judge the approved thumbnail and then the finished piece, the judge would look at you and say "What's the problem, pay the girl". My friend replied "You're probably right, but you'd never work in this town again". So, the value of a contract is only as good as the power of the contractor to enforce it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archkre Posted May 9, 2004 Author Share Posted May 9, 2004 That is why, I insist, in trying to find a model of a "not so rigid, more friendly"paper to sign! Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexg Posted May 9, 2004 Share Posted May 9, 2004 Have sent one sample to you via private message AlxG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archkre Posted May 10, 2004 Author Share Posted May 10, 2004 Alex: Thank you very much! Susan:Regarding "The cost to join the ASAI (American Society of Architectural Illustrators-- tradtional and digital) for one year is $170 US. Slightly more for international members... " I am not joining more professional associations, I already pay (3) Architects' associations in (3)different countries!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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