Monday, October 19, 2009

Demand Letter to Ask for Payment

As a contractor, you may come across clients who must be reminded to uphold their contracts and pay you for your services on time. This letter serves as a sample billing statement and notice of possible legal action on your part.

Dear Mrs. Munro,

On May 2012, I wrote to you in writing that my invoice of March 15 2012 was unpaid and the 30 days provided in the agreement has expired. I have has no response to my letter and the invoice returned was unpaid.

Accordingly, I must regrettably advise you that I shall be forwarding the matter over
to the collection authorities immediately. Since the initial downpayment was made through your credit card. In addition, I have reviewed with my legal advisor the terms of our agreement.

I very much regret the necessity for taking these actions and requests, once again, that you pay the bill immediately.

Sincerely,
McAllister Contractors, LLC

Letter of Estimate and Price Quotation for Contractors

A sample letter to give your client an idea of the overall cost of the project, this is like an offer letter detailing an estimate before the client engages your services.

Dear Ma'am,

I estimate that construction of a patio as an addition to your house at 500 Magnolia Drive in accordance with plans and specifications prepared by James Singh, architect which you have referred to me will be $1,200.25

The estimate does not include building permits and man hours for their work. Please note this is only for the materials and my consultation services.

This is also not a contract or offer for you to enter into a contract. It is our mutual convenience in considering a possible contract.

This estimate is based on current market prices of necessary materials and present costs for the wood and tiles that will be mounted in place. Accordingly, the estimate will need to be reviewed if you decide not to enter a contract with me within 30 days.

I would be pleased to discuss the estimate with you at your convenience. I can also give you a detailed list of the estimate per material, so you may compare with local hardware and contractor prices.

Looking forward to do business with you.

Thank you very much

Sincerely,
Jonas & Sons General Contractors

Letter of Agreement for Contractors

Below is a handly sample letter for contractors, this may serve as a contract of agreement for your services.

Dear Sir,

We agreed today to modify our contract of March 6, 2010 for the work of your family den to include a third door to the boiler room at the other end of the hall, and also overhead cabinets for the bathrooms of which you have provided a detailed sketch.

This letter will confirm our agreement regarding these items and a price increase of $2,800, $1,500 of which will be paid now and $600 will be added to the final payment for the work.

As we agreed, I will paint the additional door and frame and the new cabinetry to match the rest of the painting. Because of this extra work, the final completion date will be extended by 10 days.

I would appreciate it if you sign the enclosed extra copy of this letter and return it to me with the $1000 payment.

I am please that you are satisfied with our work to date and look forward to completing it in the near future.

Sincerely,
The Contractor

Agreed and accepted this __ day of ___, 2006.

Manifestation of Assent

Once a bargain is in place, a contract can take form, this becomes what you call a Manifestation of Assent. It is an exchange of mutual terms between two parties and these terms must be both clearly understood by both parties.

The Importance of Meanings in the Manifestation of Assent

You say tomato, I say tomato!

Each party must be aware of the meanings of the terms attached to their manifestations.

The terms should not apply or refer to any other different meanings other than what is agreed upon by both parties.

The first party cannot attach a new or different meaning to the Manifestation of Assent without the second party being made aware of and vice versa.

The contract is called operative if the manifestation of assent is in accordance with the meaning attached by both parties.

The Importance of Contracts

A contract is a legally binding document. It is a set of terms laid down by two parties defining their transaction or relationship. A breach of these terms of agreement requires the remedy of the law.

Contracts acts as a safeguard for people taking a leap of faith. Entrusting strangers with your money in exchange for a service or business procedure. Contracts can either make you liable or not for certain risks you take, so make sure the terms you set with your legal counsel are solid and well-detailed. Contracts are there to protect you, not to work against you. They are in place to see you through transactions that may require you to act upon for a number of years.

People’s minds and emotions change over time, people may decide to fall out of a project or take a different direction from what may have been originally planned. However, Contracts remain constant like commandments set in stone. These will be the guidelines for both parties to complete their agreement over time.

Only people above 18 or of the legal age in the country are allowed to undergo any contractual transactions. Minors in this case, infants or children, are either represented by their guardians, parents, custodians on legal obligations such as trust funds, inheritance, custody proceedings, civil registry and labor contracts for advertising work.

Persons with Mental Illness or Mental Incapacity cannot enter into a contractual transaction, the contract would be considered void by the law. A person unable to understand the nature and consequences of the transaction cannot be forced to act on an agreement.