About this document
This contract balances simplicity and minimal length with strong legal protection. It is for use by an engineer offering a computer maintenance or repair service, either on a self-employed basis or through a company. It is also suitable for services for other types of IT, such as mobile phones or tablets.
Clients are likely to be private individuals, but also could be small businesses.
The work could be varied, from installing software to recovering PCs infected with viruses and malware to upgrading hardware or fixing broken parts.
The main purpose of the contract is disclaim liability for your professional work. If a client says that there is no data of value on his hard disk before agreeing for you to reformat it but later comes back threatening to take you to court unless his family photos are restored, you should be able to stand your ground.
If the client does not pay upfront, then there is a chance that he may not pay at all. The risk of non-payment can be reduced by using this agreement. It gives several alternative payment procedures, from upfront to full credit.
This contract also allows you to deal simply with your requirements under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013.
Using the contract
Using the contract is easy. It is written in plain English, which makes editing easy, and also makes sure that the client understands his or her obligations under it.
Edit the document for your general terms following our guidance notes. When a client comes to you, create a customised specification of work, then attach your contract behind.
We understand private clients will not be happy to be offered a long legalistic document for a relatively straightforward service. This contract has been drawn to be sufficiently unthreatening and as short as possible as to enable you to obtain a client’s signature without delay or apology.
Contents
- The basic contract, including matters to re-assure your client
- Interruptions and expenses - points that you need to cover to enable you to do the job
- Your account and expenses
- Alternative payment provisions
- Safety and insurance
- Confidentiality - protecting your privacy and theirs
- Limitation of your liability
- Uncontrollable events
- Miscellaneous legal matters
This document was written by a solicitor for Net Lawman. It complies with current English law.
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