Hot take: Handshake agreements worked for 5 years until they didn't

I used to run my landscaping side gig with just a verbal nod and a handshake. Never had an issue with 3 neighbors or 2 small commercial lots in town. Then last summer a client refused to pay the extra $400 for a retaining wall we agreed on after the initial quote. Spent a month chasing him with texts but had zero proof. Now I use a simple template contract for anything over $200. Has anyone else had a handshake deal blow up like that?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_xena28d ago

Oh man, does that ever hit close to home. I had a handshake deal with a buddy from church for some work I did on his rental property - we agreed on a price, I did the job, and then he claimed we never talked about that amount. I mean, it was literally just his word against mine and I ended up eating almost $600 in labor. It totally gutted me because I thought we were solid. Now I won't even do a job for a friend without something in writing, even if it feels awkward at first. A simple text message confirming the price counts as proof too, that's what I do now for small stuff. It sucks that we have to be this way but people get weird about money.

the_joseph28d ago

Tbh I read a study once that said people are way more likely to screw someone over with a handshake deal than a written one, and it's just human nature. Totally feel you @the_xena, that $600 lesson is brutal but now you'll never forget it.

ellis.leo28d ago

$400 lesson for me too man. I used to think written contracts were just for lawyers and big companies. Figured a handshake and a man's word should be enough. Then a guy I'd done work for for years suddenly "didn't remember" agreeing to the extra cost for materials. Chased him for two months before I gave up. Now I send a quick text after every conversation that lays out the price and the job. Feels weird at first but saves a ton of headaches.