I used to think a contract was just a formality until a client ghosted me on a $1200 invoice

For my first two years, I'd just work off a quick email agreement. Then a client for a website redesign stopped answering calls after I sent the final files. Now I use a simple template that spells out payment terms, kill fees, and what happens if they vanish. It took that one bad job to make the change. What's the one clause you've added to your contracts after getting burned?

3 comments

3 Comments

hannahmurray23d ago

Nothing like a ghosting client to make you actually read the fine print lol.

campbell.logan23d ago

Always add a kill fee clause for this exact reason. It protects your time when clients vanish. Saved me more than once!

thomas_roberts14d ago

@hannahmurray preach. That fine print is a life saver. I had a client go radio silent after three rounds of edits, just vanished. My contract had a clause for work completed up to the last approval point. Sent one email with the clause highlighted and an invoice, got paid in two days. It turns a mess into a simple business thing. Now I read every line before I sign anything.