Reno still thinks of itself as "The Old West." I am able to do work with many of my 'old time' customers on a handshake. They call, I work, I bill, I get paid. I realize that I am very fortunate in this regard.
Even with these customers (some are government), the time comes when you have to jump through all the hoops. When you are bidding a job, you are actually agreeing to the customers' contract. You are giving your price to agree to their terms. If there are terms you object to, you have the opportunity to raise that objection.
Certain large corporations try playing 'contract' games ... I let that happen -maybe- once.
Often the contract that you're presented is a commonly recognized form, one that has proven itself over time. AIA contracts are a good example of this. Other times, the 'contract' is an extremely biased DIY attempt to screw you.
The DIY contracts - often presented by corporations with larger egos than assets - frequently include clauses (lien waivers, pay-when-paid, etc.) that the courts will not enforce. Some are even illegal. Others (disputes will be settled in court in Kuala Lampur) are enforceable, and place you at a distinct disadvantage.
KISS applies. Keep It Simple, Straightforward. You're not a lawyer, you're an electrician. The contract's primary purposes are to define what needs doing, who does it, and when you will be paid.
It is critical that you know your state's contracting law. These are the 'assumptions' and 'ground rules' that are applied to every job. For example, you may be required to provide a 1 year warranty. If so, you can't claim to do "as is" work.
If nothing else, your knowing 'the rules' will help you to recognize when the other guy is playing games.
