This past year I contracted some work out to a company. They showed me a sample of what they could do and I liked quality, so I proceeded with the contract.  But once they received the first payment (50% down), a switch occurred.  The person who did the work that sold me on the idea of going with their company moved on to another project and another, much-less-qualified person was assigned to work with me.

Suffice it to say the quality was inadequate.  And late.  We’re now trying to get our money back and we may end up in court to do so.  Wouldn’t you know, it’s all boiling down to the interpretation of the contract’s fine print.

With this as a background, I encourage you to read Buyer Beware, an excellent piece by Lora Volkert in the Idaho Business Review.

Sometimes you even pay twice

In the IBR story, seems that salon owners Steven Dexter and Betsy Stephens PAID IN FULL for a new roof on their salon –only to receive a letter four months later stating the roofing supply company had filed a $1,600 lien on their building (get this:)  because the contractor did not pay the company that supplied the materials.

Apparently they’re going to get stuck paying the extra $1,600 because they didn’t have a release of lien from the contractor’s suppliers and subcontractors written into their contract.

Like Lora Volkert points out, even in the world of small business it’s buyer beware.  It’s sad, especially considering that so much small business happens on a handshake.

Unfortunately, more and more of us are finding an extra step is needed for creating workplace excellence: Drafting a carefully worded contract with plenty of attention given to the fine print.

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Filed in Work, Business, Management, Workplace, Corporate Culture