Am I crazy for thinking contracts kill small freelance deals?

I've done a bunch of small projects without any written agreement. Clients seem to trust me more when we just shake hands on the deal. Why do folks always push for contracts on tiny jobs?

3 comments

3 Comments

masonbell27d ago

Read a piece once that called a simple contract a "relationship saver." The author argued it's not a weapon, it's a shared memory for the project. When both people look at the same page, they remember the deal the same way. That stops the little misunderstandings that turn into big problems later. It feels formal at the start, but it actually keeps things more friendly in the long run.

carr.brooke1mo ago

Contracts might seem overkill, but they save you from yourself when scope creeps on a tiny job. That vague handshake deal can blur after a few weeks, leaving you doing extra work for free. Having it written down makes the boundaries clear for everyone involved. It's not about trust, it's about memory and avoiding those quiet resentments that build up. Kinda protects the relationship more than it hurts it...

markhall1mo ago

Quiet resentments" is such a good way to put it. I always skipped contracts to keep things friendly, but watched a few friendships get strained over blurry work details. Now I see getting it in writing actually keeps the friendship safe.