Stop losing money on verbal jobs. Don’t make same mistake as me! Easy Fix: scope, price, and get it signed the same day with a simple on‑site process and the right tools.
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You’ve likely been there. A client says “go ahead,” you crack on, then the scope shifts, the price gets questioned, and payment drags. Don’t make same mistake as me! Easy Fix: document the scope and get a signature before work starts. In this article, I’ll show a quick field-tested process to lock scope, price, and timing in under 20 minutes. You’ll see what to capture, the exact steps, and simple tools that keep you covered. Follow this and you’ll avoid rework, delays, and awkward money talks.
Don’t make same mistake as me! Easy Fix: write the scope, list inclusions/exclusions, price it, and get a signature before you start. Do it the same day using a 10–20 minute on-site checklist and a digital proposal with e‑signature. This prevents scope creep, price disputes, and slow payment.
On most jobs, problems start with unclear scope. A client says “just a quick change,” and suddenly you’re 6 hours over. Don’t make same mistake as me! Easy Fix is simple: gather proof before you swing a hammer.
This takes 8–12 minutes. It gives you solid facts when questions come up later.
Most contractors skip this step. Don’t make same mistake as me! Easy Fix is to run this short checklist every time.
This list fits on one page. It prevents scope creep and “he said, she said.”
Here’s the exact flow I use. It’s clean and fast.
Scope it (6–8 minutes)
Price it (4–6 minutes)
Show inclusions/exclusions (2 minutes)
Set dates (1 minute)
Get it signed (under 2 minutes)
If you can’t sign on-site, send within 60 minutes and follow up in 24 hours. Don’t make same mistake as me! Easy Fix is closing the loop= the same day, not “I’ll sort it later.” Later gets forgotten.
You can do this on paper, but digital is faster and cleaner. Platforms such as Donizo help you:
Many contractors find this saves 15–30 minutes per visit and reduces back‑and‑forth by half. Don’t make same mistake as me! Easy Fix: get the signature while you still have momentum.
Some jobs smell wrong from the start. Don’t make same mistake as me! Easy Fix is to pause when you see these red flags:
When you spot two or more, stop. Re‑state the scope, the price, and the need for a signature. If they refuse, walk. You’ll save days of pain.
Don’t make same mistake as me! Easy Fix isn’t about long contracts. It’s about the right lines on one page.
These sections cut disputes by a lot. If you also want to improve professional proposals, see our guide on professional proposals. It pairs well with planning project timelines and using invoice templates that save time. For pricing clarity, read our piece on pricing strategies for small jobs.
Stay calm and explain it protects both sides. Offer to email the proposal and hold the slot for 24 hours. If they still refuse, don’t start. No signature, no work. Don’t make same mistake as me! Easy Fix is to stick to your process.
Use 6–12 clear bullets. Enough to define materials, quantities, and finish level. Avoid long paragraphs. Think like a checklist. If you can’t price a part, list it as an exclusion or a provisional sum.
For jobs under one day, many contractors take 20–30% to book the date. For 2–5 day jobs, 30–50% is common. State the deposit and due date on the proposal. Convert to invoice once signed.
Stop, price the change, and send a variation. Get it signed before continuing. One extra hour now is cheaper than 6 hours of unpaid rework later. Don’t make same mistake as me! Easy Fix is to pause and document.
Aim for 60 minutes after the visit. Same day wins trust. With tools like Donizo, you can draft on-site and collect an e‑signature in minutes.
Verbal agreements kill margins. Don’t make same mistake as me! Easy Fix: scope, price, and get a signature before you start. Do it with a 10–20 minute on‑site checklist and send a digital proposal the same day. Tools like Donizo make this fast with voice‑to‑proposal, e‑signature, and instant invoicing.
Next steps:
Do this, and you’ll protect your time, your price, and your reputation.
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