A plain-English service agreement for contractors and service businesses. Covers scope, payment, cancellation, warranty, and the basics you need to protect both sides.
Not legal advice. Have an attorney review before using on real customers.
SERVICE AGREEMENT
Effective date: [MM/DD/YYYY]
1. Parties
This Agreement is between [Your Business Name] ("Provider"), located at [Address], and [Customer Name] ("Customer"), located at [Customer Address].
2. Scope of Services
Provider will perform the following services: [Plain-English description of the work, location, and any specifics. Reference an attached estimate or scope document if applicable.]
The following are not included unless added in writing: [Examples: drywall repair, permit pulling, materials beyond original scope, additional rooms, after-hours work.]
3. Schedule
Estimated start date: [MM/DD/YYYY]. Estimated completion: [MM/DD/YYYY]. Provider will notify Customer in writing of any material schedule changes.
4. Pricing & Payment
Total price: $[X,XXX], due as follows:
Accepted methods: card, ACH, check. Late payments accrue [1.5%] interest per month. Customer is responsible for collection costs and reasonable attorney fees if unpaid balances must be enforced.
5. Change Orders
Any change to the scope, schedule, or price must be documented in a written change order signed by both parties before the change is performed.
6. Cancellation
Customer may cancel this Agreement with [48 hours] written notice before the scheduled start date and receive a refund of the deposit, less any non-refundable materials already ordered. Cancellations within 48 hours forfeit the deposit. Provider reserves the right to cancel and refund the deposit in full if circumstances prevent completion of the work.
7. Warranty
Provider warrants its workmanship for [12 months] from the completion date. Materials are covered by the manufacturer's warranty. This warranty does not cover damage caused by misuse, neglect, third-party modifications, or normal wear and tear. Customer must notify Provider in writing of any warranty claim within [30 days] of discovery.
8. Limitation of Liability
Provider's total liability under this Agreement is limited to the total price paid by Customer. Neither party is liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages.
9. Insurance & Licensing
Provider maintains general liability insurance and any licenses required by [State/Local jurisdiction]. A certificate of insurance is available upon request.
10. Dispute Resolution
Any dispute arising under this Agreement will first be addressed through good-faith negotiation. If unresolved within [30 days], disputes will be settled by [binding arbitration / small claims court] in [County, State]. This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of [State].
11. Miscellaneous
This Agreement is the entire understanding between the parties and supersedes any prior verbal agreements. Any amendment must be in writing and signed by both parties. If any provision is held unenforceable, the remainder of the Agreement remains in effect.
By signing below, both parties agree to the terms above.
Provider signature · Date
Customer signature · Date
For small jobs (under ~$500), an estimate with terms and an electronic signature is usually enough. For larger jobs, multi-day projects, recurring service plans, or anything involving permits or major materials, a written service agreement protects both you and the customer.
The right service agreement does five things:
Reminder: this template is a starting point, not legal advice. State and local rules vary — especially around home improvement contracts in California, New York, and a few other states. Have a local attorney review your final version.
Kairvio sends agreements via text with electronic signature and deposit collection in one tap. The whole flow takes the customer 30 seconds.
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